With the NFL to consider potential Pro Bowl sites for 2021 and beyond, Las Vegas’s Allegiant Staidum could be a viable option to host the game.
Allegiant Stadium will open in 2020 for the relocating Oakland Raiders and UNLV football. The $1.9 billion stadium is also expected to help draw major events to the Las Vegas area and has a few notable college football games on its docket, as it will be home to the annual Las Vegas Bowl and is scheduled to host the Pac-12 Championship Game in 2020 and 2021. This appeal has been expected to extend to the NFL and its events, which could include a future Pro Bowl.
For the immediate future, the NFL has already announced that it will return the Pro Bowl to Orlando’s Camping World Stadium in 2020. The league will soon begin exploring potential host venues beyond 2020, and it appears that Allegiant Stadium could be among the options in the mix. While nothing has been settled yet as to if/when Allegiant Stadium would host the Pro Bowl, an NFL official acknowledged some of the advantages that the Las Vegas market brings to the table when it comes to staging major events. More from the Las Vegas Review-Journal:
“We’ll begin evaluating options for the Pro Bowl beyond 2020 and with new stadiums opening in both Los Angeles and Las Vegas, that could be part of the consideration process,” said Brian McCarthy, vice president of NFL communications.
Players enjoy playing in the game in Orlando, and Las Vegas has many of the same qualities the tourist heavy Central Florida city has to offer, McCarthy said. From an abundance of hotel rooms, entertainment and dining options, and a track record of hosting large-scale events and conventions, Las Vegas is viewed by the NFL as a capable destination, made evident in its selection of the city to host the 2020 NFL Draft.
“We’re well aware of the capabilities of Las Vegas and they’ve been a great partner for the draft,” he said. “We know they can put on a great show.”
The city’s performance while hosting next year’s draft — taking place at a yet-to-be determined location April 26-28 — could play into whether Las Vegas is awarded future events like the Pro Bowl or Super Bowl, McCarthy said.
Naming rights for the upcoming Las Vegas stadium were secured by locally based airline Allegiant, part of a partnership with the Raiders that was announced on Monday.
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