Las Vegas is on the verge of welcoming a major new sports and entertainment complex as Bally’s Corp. advances its vision to establish a vibrant retail, dining, and hospitality zone around the Athletics’ $2 billion, 33,000-seat stadium at the historic Tropicana site. Following months of anticipation, the company has unveiled its timeline to break ground in 2026.
The initiative, termed Bally’s Las Vegas, will span 26 acres of the original 35-acre Tropicana property, with the remaining 9 acres allocated to the Athletics for their stadium, which will be under the ownership of the Las Vegas Stadium Authority. The ambitious plans feature 500,000 square feet dedicated to retail, dining, and entertainment, alongside a luxurious hotel-casino comprising 3,000 rooms across two towers, and a 2,500-seat theater.
The hotel-casino will boast 104,200 square feet of gaming space, which includes a 56,000-square-foot main gaming floor, a 13,500-square-foot event venue, a 16,500-square-foot sportsbook, 17,000 square feet for support services, and a 1,200-square-foot casino bar. Additionally, a multi-level sports bar with an enticing rooftop pool is slated for the northwest corner, complemented by a prominent cylindrical LED display situated at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue.
Phasing of the Project
Construction is projected to commence in 2026, with the first phase expected to conclude in 2028, aligning with the stadium’s debut. This initial phase will encompass a 9-acre plaza, an eight-story parking garage with 2,500 spaces, and a shared utility facility for the entire complex. The plaza is designed to serve as the main entrance for fans and will link to the stadium on its northwest flank.
Future phases will introduce the 216,000-square-foot theater, along with increased retail and dining options, and an additional hotel tower featuring 1,800 rooms, which will extend from the southwest corner to the plaza. The concluding phase involves the construction of a second hotel tower with 1,200 rooms at the northeast corner, which will commence post the completion of the stadium and site preparations.
Parking facilities throughout the development will elevate the total on-site capacity to approximately 5,000 spaces. A 14,800-square-foot Boring Co. Vegas Loop station is also part of the planning.
Retail and Dining Strategy
Bally’s is partnering with JLL to attract tenants for the retail and dining sectors. Previously, JLL managed leasing for the BLVD Las Vegas shopping center located just north of the project site.
“Las Vegas is a pivotal market for food and beverage, entertainment, and retail in the US,” stated Michael Hirschfeld, Vice Chairman of JLL. “The market’s extended operating hours yield some of the highest sales per unit nationwide.”
Marnell Architecture is serving as the project’s architectural firm. Bally’s Chairman, Soo Kim, expressed the company’s commitment to diversifying revenue streams beyond gaming. “It’s clear that 75 percent of Las Vegas revenues come from non-gaming,” Kim remarked. “We’re actively working to enhance that area, and we’re making strides in real time.”
This venture is just one of several initiatives currently underway for Bally’s. The firm is finalizing a $1.7 billion Chicago casino resort slated to launch in 2026 and is pursuing approvals for a $4 billion, 500,000-square-foot resort in the Bronx.
Stadium Financing
The Athletics’ $2 billion stadium has secured $350 million in public funding through Nevada legislation introduced in 2023. US Bank and Goldman Sachs are contributing $300 million via loans, while team owner John Fisher is financing the remainder.
Clark County commissioners are set to evaluate the A’s development agreement on October 8. If approved, this will establish the financial framework for the stadium and enable the team to begin utilizing public funding.
Bally’s has entered a lease agreement for the Tropicana site with Gaming and Leisure Properties, amounting to $10.5 million annually. The stadium and its adjacent developments are anticipated to be operational in time for the A’s inaugural Las Vegas season in 2028.