The $600-million renovation at the Las Vegas Convention Center is set to finish by the end of the year, and industry observers say it’s a reason to be optimistic about 2026 tourism levels, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Key Takeaways
- Expansion increases the venue's capacity by 30%.
- The city is targeting a tourism boom in 2026.
- Renovation includes climate-controlled concourse and tech upgrades.
The final phase of the multi-year expansion will increase the center’s space from 1.9 million to 2.5 million square feet and increase attendance by 30%.
Industry analyst Barry Jonas explained to local media that the infrastructure investment may mirror the visitation increase seen after the 2012 opening of Terminal 3 at Harry Reid International Airport. He added that Strip operators are working to offer better value to visitors despite perceptions of rising costs in Las Vegas.
Steve Hill, president and chief executive officer of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority also said tourist projections over the next 15 months look exceptionally strong.
The project has involved staggered closures of the North, Central, and South halls so that it could stay open during construction, which began after the West Hall opened in June 2021. A significant upgrade is a climate-controlled corridor connecting the North and South halls, which aims to improve pedestrian flow and shield attendees from the desert weather.
Brendan Bussmann, an industry analyst with Las Vegas-based B-Global, said the project is part of a larger pattern of infrastructure-driven growth. He mentioned the opening of Allegiant Stadium and earlier airport expansions as examples of successful long-term investments, though he criticized the failure to set up dedicated funding for future airport upgrades.
F1 Arcade opens in Las Vegas ahead of Grand Prix
Las Vegas tourism could see another boost with the new Formula 1-themed gaming venue, which opened at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. It adds to the variety of sports-related attractions ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix at the end of November.
The 21,000-square-foot F1 Arcade facility features 87 full-motion racing simulators that allow individuals and groups to compete on virtual versions of global F1 circuits. It’s currently the largest in the arcade chain and follows similar openings in Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
The arcade includes team racing for group competition and head to head for smaller, fast-paced races. An outdoor terrace overlooks the Las Vegas Strip, and the venue is equipped with large screens for live F1 race broadcasts.
Special events are being held alongside official F1 watch parties, such as simulations, trivia contests, and post-race DJ sets, as Vegas is counting on live sports to attract more visitors.
