Most people don’t need an excuse to go to Las Vegas.
It’s a way to escape reality and let loose for a few days.
But Colorado sports fans will have a really good excuse to head to the desert in December. Again, not that you need one at that time of year. Warm and sunny or cold and dreary? That seems an easy choice.
For those who are inclined, you could have a “Colorado-theme” weekend in Las Vegas thanks to the NFL and NHL schedule makers.
The Denver Broncos will play the Las Vegas Raiders on Dec. 26, followed by the Colorado Avalanche playing the Las Vegas Golden Knights the following night.
Colorado sports fans have the potential to take over Vegas.
The Broncos-Raiders rivalry is one of the most storied in the NFL.
The Avs-Knights rivalry is fresh but could become one of the best in the NHL.
If you were considering making a trip to Sin City that Christmas weekend, here’s what you need to know.
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Sports betting in Las Vegas
Before we get to where you could stay and tickets to the games, if you use an app for Colorado mobile sports betting, it will not work in Las Vegas.
Since Nevada still has a law in place that forces sports bettors to register for an app at the casino, that’s what you’ll have to do if you want to do mobile sports betting in Las Vegas. In other words, if there is a sportsbook you have in Colorado that exists in Nevada, you have to register and download a whole new app. So if you use the SuperBook, you’ll have to go to the Westgate. If you use BetMGM, the MGM Grand.
There are more hurdles to clear, but it’s best to know that now so you can plan ahead.
Where to stay in Las Vegas
The place you decide to stay may come down to the ease of getting to the games. On that front, Allegiant Stadium is more of a “task” to get to than T-Mobile Arena. The home of the Golden Knights is less than a mile to most of the resorts on the Las Vegas Strip.
To get to the home of the Raiders is a little more involved. The hotel that is most convenient for you will make that choice a skosh easier.
According to the Allegiant Stadium directions and parking website, there are three options that are best.
The website says the best way is to access the stadium from Las Vegas Boulevard via the Hacienda Bridge. As the site notes, the bridge is closed to automobile traffic on game day to allow fans to safely walk across.
For reference, the bridge is near the Mandalay Bay. Most people walk to get around Vegas anyway, so while it may take 30-45 minutes depending on where you stay, it’s also the free option. And since it’s the end of December, you don’t have to fret about unbearable heat.
You could also take an Uber or Lyft to get the Hacienda Bridge or to the stadium, but that option could become pricey.
The other option is to take the RTC’s Deuce bus that runs every 15 minutes from 57 stops along Las Vegas Boulevard. The site notes that a 24-hour pass runs $8 and that allows you to ride the Deuce to the game, back and anywhere on the Strip. You can purchase your tickets on the RTC app.
Price of game tickets
Single game Raiders tickets are currently available to purchase.
The safest way to ensure you get tickets that work for entry to the game is to purchase them via Ticketmaster. As of now, prices range from $310-$1,629 per ticket, and they’re most likely to be digital tickets. If you have a Ticketmaster account already set up, you can use that for the Raiders tickets you purchase and can then access them on your mobile device.
As for the Golden Knights, you can purchase tickets to the game on Dec. 27 via the VGK Ticket Exchange or on Ticketmaster. On Ticketmaster they range from $166-574 per ticket.
As for airfare and the resort, you can find great deals that are separate or packaged. It’s your own personal preference on that front. Where you stay could also be determined by the current rewards you have from the casinos in Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek.
Most people don’t need an excuse to book a December trip to Sin City.
But with the Broncos and Avs set to play there on back-to-back days, Colorado sports fans can take over Las Vegas.
