Las Vegas is no longer the undisputed global capital of sport it once was.
For years, the world’s biggest boxing fights – from Muhammad Ali vs Larry Holmes to Mike Tyson vs Evander Holyfield and Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao – were staged on the famous Strip.
Fast forward to 2026, however, and the sport’s biggest events are increasingly being hosted in destinations such as Saudi Arabia, London and New York.
Vegas suffered a double blow ahead of the 2026 World Cup, missing out on both hosting matches at Allegiant Stadium and staging the tournament draw.
FIFA opted against using the $2billion (£1.5bn) home of the Las Vegas Raiders due to concerns over pitch dimensions, with the surface deemed too narrow and requiring significant redevelopment – including the removal of thousands of lower-level seats -to meet regulations.
The governing body also felt it already had a strong West Coast presence, with Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle selected as host cities.
Despite the snub, Allegiant Stadium remains one of the premier venues in the United States.
It hosted Super Bowl LVIII in February 2024, the CONCACAF Gold Cup final in 2021, and matches during Copa America in 2024, alongside regular NFL fixtures. Global stars including The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Taylor Swift and Beyonce have also performed there.
Las Vegas wasn’t selected as a host nation by FIFA but fans are expected to flock to Sin City
The Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas was in contention to host games at the 2026 World Cup
Hosting the World Cup draw would have softened the blow, but it was ultimately awarded to Washington DC, with the John F. Kennedy Center confirmed as the venue following months of speculation linking it to Las Vegas.
The Daily Mail flew to Las Vegas via Denver with United Airlines to see how the city plans to compensate for its absence as a host venue.
Former United States international Freddy Adu, who previously lived in Las Vegas, admitted he was surprised by FIFA’s decision.
‘I am surprised because Vegas has probably one of the best stadiums in the whole country,’ he said.
‘And that’s saying a lot because there are so many great venues here. But Vegas has one of the best.
‘People come to America and they want to go to Vegas – it’s a place so many have heard about and want to experience.
‘So yes, I am surprised it wasn’t chosen.’
Football fans will be able to watch World Cup games at a Las Vegas sportsbook such as at Caesars Palace (pictured)
The Daily Mail flew to Las Vegas with United Airlines ahead of this summer’s World Cup
UNITED FARES TO WORLD CUP CITIES
London Heathrow to San Francisco – from £620
London Heathrow to New York – from £594
London Heathrow to Los Angeles – from £615
London Heathrow to Las Vegas – from £849
London Heathrow to Chicago – from £694
London Heathrow to Denver – from £740
Based on roundtrip economy flights in June
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However, despite not being chosen as a host city, Vegas is expected to remain a major hub for fans during the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19.
Supporters attending matches in San Francisco and Los Angeles, in particular, are likely to use the city as a base between games, drawn by its entertainment offering away from the pitch.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has already positioned the city as a premier destination for watching matches outside the stadiums.
Its chief marketing officer, Kate Wik, said in December: ‘We’re actively focused on how we create headlines for Las Vegas and how we can capture attention for the destination – whether through traditional advertising or by layering in events that enhance the overall experience.’
Hotels across the city are offering football-themed packages, including discounts, drink credits and waived resort fees. For those looking to combine matches with a party atmosphere, venues such as Stadium Swim at Circa are expected to be popular.
Meanwhile, United Airlines, which has operated flights from London Heathrow for 35 years and carried more than 58 million passengers across the Atlantic, is positioning itself as a key carrier for travelling fans.
Passengers can expect extensive in-flight entertainment, including new films and Spotify podcasts, along with complimentary food and drinks. The United Club lounge at Heathrow also offers a chance to relax before departure, featuring floor-to-ceiling views of the airfield, luxurious decor and a full-service bar.
Starting May 1, fans may even get the opportunity to travel on United’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with the United Elevated interior between London and San Francisco, featuring the first United Polaris Studio suites, roomier seats, 4K OLED seatback screens and Bluetooth connectivity at every seat in every cabin.
The airline services all 16 host cities, either directly or via hub airports, and is flying up to 20 times daily between Heathrow and the US – with non-stop services to Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark/New York, San Francisco and Washington DC.
While the glitz and glamour of the Strip may not take centre stage during this summer’s tournament, it is unlikely to be far from the action.
United operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers and is now the largest airline in the world as measured by available seat miles – visit www.united.com to book your flights for the World Cup