Las Vegas Convention Center Finishes $600M Renovation Ahead of CES |

Published on: January 5, 2026, 08:34h.

Updated on: January 5, 2026, 08:34h.

The Las Vegas Convention Center’s Central Hall officially reopened on January 5, after an extensive $600 million renovation that spanned eight years. Key representatives from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) and CES (formerly Consumer Electronics Show) marked the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony just one day ahead of the CES 2026 opening, noted as Las Vegas’s largest annual event.

Officials from the LVCVA, CES, and local government celebrated the reopening of the Central Hall, which underwent a $600 million renovation. (Image: LVCVA)

This renovation modernizes the convention center’s three oldest sections—Central, North, and South—aligning their aesthetics and amenities with the newly opened $1 billion West Hall from 2021.

The newly updated Central Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center originally opened in 1971 as an extension to the exhibit hall created during the facility’s 1959 launch. (Image: LVCVA)

The centerpiece of this renovation includes a stunning glass curtain wall that allows natural light to pour into the Central Hall’s lobby, complemented by three large video screens and a new climate-controlled interior concourse. This concourse uniquely connects the North and South halls, facilitating seamless navigation within the convention center without needing to go outside.

Additional improvements feature a revamped entrance to the South Hall on the east side, enhanced signage and wayfinding, expanded food and beverage selections, energy-efficient lighting, water conservation systems, along with new administrative offices and boardroom facilities.

“This achievement represents a significant step forward for exhibitions in Las Vegas, offering a premier convention center experience that reflects the city’s growth and aspirations,” commented Steve Hill, president and CEO of LVCVA, during the ceremony. “It’s a fitting occasion to coincide with CES, the most influential technology show globally and our long-time collaborator.”

Revisiting Foundations

Plans for this renovation were initially devised around twenty years ago but were halted due to the Great Recession. Work recommenced in 2023, largely keeping the Central Hall operational, with closure occurring only during the final two months leading to its opening.

Steve Hill, president/CEO of LVCVA, addressing the audience at the ribbon-cutting event. (Image: LVCVA)

CES 2026 will be the inaugural event to utilize the convention center’s extensive 2.5 million square feet of indoor exhibition space, a figure surpassed only by Chicago’s McCormick Place, which boasts 2.67 million square feet.

Outside of the Convention Center, CES—which made its Las Vegas debut in 1978—will extend to 13 additional venues across the city, maintaining its footprint. The convention will run from Tuesday, January 6 to Friday, January 9, expecting attendance levels akin to last year’s approximately 142,000 attendees, over 40% of whom will come from international locations.

The LVCVA reports that airlines have introduced over 360 additional flights, including connections from nine different countries, to accommodate the expected surge at Harry Reid International Airport.

Despite a decline of 8% in overall tourism for Las Vegas in 2025, conventions fared better, with total convention attendance reaching about 5.9 million—only about 1% lower than in 2024.

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