MGM Grand Garden Arena
 | |
|
Concert bowl and seating c.2008 | |
| Former names |
MGM Grand Sports Center (planning/construction) MGM Grand Garden Special Events Center (1993–95) |
|---|---|
| Address |
3799 Las Vegas Blvd S Las Vegas, NV 89109-4319 |
| Location | MGM Grand Las Vegas, Las Vegas Strip, Paradise |
| Owner | MGM Resorts International |
| Capacity | 17,157 |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | October 7, 1991 |
| Opened | December 18, 1993 |
| Renovated | 1997, 2000 |
| Construction cost | $28.4 million |
| Architect | Veldon Simpson-Architect, Inc. |
| General contractor | Taylor International Corporation |
| Tenants | |
|
Las Vegas Dustdevils (CISL) (1994) Las Vegas Sting (AFL) (1994) | |
The MGM Grand Garden Arena (originally known as the MGM Grand Garden Special Events Center) is a multi-purpose arena located within the MGM Grand Las Vegas on the Las Vegas Strip.
Events
The arena has held events such as the annual Billboard Music Awards show, since 1997, the Academy of Country Music Awards (ACMA), the Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children Benefit, the VH1 Divas Las Vegas shows and other sporting and special events.
From 1996 to 2000, it hosted wrestling's WCW Halloween Havoc PPV event. The UWF television event Blackjack Brawl was held at the venue in 1994.
Combat sports
The arena is well known for numerous professional boxing superfights, such as Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield, Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson II, Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather vs. Saúl Álvarez and Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao.
As of May 2015, the arena has held 35 Ultimate Fighting Championship events (starting with UFC 34 and most recently UFC 196).
On September 7, 1996, Bruce Seldon vs. Mike Tyson was held here; later that night, rapper Tupac Shakur (who attended the fight) was shot in a drive-by attack. He eventually succumbed to his injuries six days later.
On May 2, 2015 Floyd Mayweather Jr defended his world title in a highly-anticipated match against fellow superstar Manny Pacquiao. The fight went the distance and Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr retained his title. The faces of the sold out crowd were fashion and entertainment icons such as hip-hop artist Jay-Z, UFC fighter Ronda Rousey and former NBA basketball player Michael Jordan.
Other sports
In 1994, the Las Vegas Dustdevils an indoor soccer team in the Continental Indoor Soccer League played one season at the arena. It also serves as the pre-season home for select Los Angeles Kings games against the Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes and San Jose Sharks, known as the Frozen Fury.
During the 1990s, the arena served as the site for the WAC women's volleyball tournament.[1]
The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) held its annual World Finals event at the MGM Arena from 1994 to 1998 before moving to the Thomas & Mack Center in 1999 and then to T-Mobile Arena in 2016.
On March 13, 2012, it was announced that the Pac-12 Men's Basketball Tournament would take place at the arena from at least 2013-2016 [2][3] and then to T-Mobile Arena in 2017-2020.
Beginning in 2014, the MGM Grand Garden Arena will host The MGM Grand Main Event, an 8 team college basketball tournament held during Monday and Wednesday of Thanksgiving week of NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The MGM Grand Main Event features two four-team brackets with each team playing two games in Las Vegas. Opening round games are played on campus.
The arena has hosted many editions of WCW Monday Nitro.
On October 4, 2014 MGM GGA held an NHL preseason game between the Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings. On October 24, 2014, MGM GGA held an NBA preseason game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings.
Notable music shows
Barbra Streisand opened the arena by performing two consecutive shows, on December 31, 1993 – January 1, 1994. At the time, the shows were her first, for paying customers, in 27 years. Since, she now has performed a total of 6 times over 4 tours. In 1999,as a part of Streisand's Timeless (Barbra Streisand) tour, which grossed a record breaking $36 million and drew audiences of 31,684 for only 2 dates.
Elton John and Billy Joel performed two consecutive shows during their "Face to Face Tour" on March 24–25, 1995, the 25th was Elton's 48th birthday. During the show on the 25th, Ray Cooper performed a 40-minute drum solo, which made it the memorable part of the concert.
Jimmy Buffett and The Coral Reefer Band have performed, at least once a year, since 1996, except 1999 and 2001. Several of his shows here were the final concerts for his yearly tours. His show on September 20, 2003 was recorded and released as Live in Las Vegas, NV.
The Bee Gees kicked off their One Night Only Tour on November 14, 1997, the show was recorded and released as One Night Only.
Cher performed two consecutive shows during her Believe Tour on August 27–28, 1999, with Cyndi Lauper and Wild Orchid as her opening acts. The show on the 28th was recorded and released as Live in Concert.
Diana Ross was scheduled to conclude her Return to Love Tour on August 5, 2000, but the show was cancelled, due to low ticket sales.
Pearl Jam performed during their Binaural Tour on October 22, 2000, with Supergrass as their opening act. The show was recorded and released as 10/22/00 – Las Vegas, Nevada. This marked the 10th anniversary of the band's very first live performance.
Britney Spears performed two consecutive shows during her Dream Within a Dream Tour on November 17–18, 2001, with O-Town and LFO as her opening acts. The shows were recorded and broadcast on HBO, as Britney Spears Live from Las Vegas.
Sarah Brightman performed during her Harem World Tour on March 13, 2004, the show was recorded and released as The Harem World Tour: Live from Las Vegas.
The Dave Matthews Band performed two consecutive shows on March 23–24, 2007, the shows were recorded and released, as part of the Live Trax series, entitled Live Trax Vol. 9.
On December 6, 2010 it hosted the first ever American Country Awards.
Phish played their long-standing Halloween run at the arena on October 31, November 1 and 2, 2014. The opening night was marked by their performance of an original suite of music set to the Disneyland Records sound effects album Thrilling, Chilling Sounds of the Haunted House.
References
- ↑ http://www.wacsports.com/pdf5/140084.pdf
- ↑ Tom Smith (2012-03-13). "Pac-12 brings basketball tournament to MGM Grand starting in 2013 for three seasons - Las Vegas Sun News". Lasvegassun.com. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
- ↑ "Linkin Park Concert Setlist at MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas on February 19, 2011". setlist.fm. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
External links
| Preceded by Mandalay Bay Events Center Mohegan Sun Arena |
Ultimate Fighting Championship venue UFC 34 UFC 36 |
Succeeded by Mohegan Sun Arena CenturyTel Center |
Coordinates: 36°6′17.31″N 115°10′7.01″W / 36.1048083°N 115.1686139°W
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