Thomas & Mack Center, Sam Boyd Stadium, Cox Pavilion

Phone: 702.895.3725

Our History

The Thomas & Mack Center, Cox Pavilion, and Sam Boyd Stadium have always offerered the Las Vegas community the best in world-class entertainment. For nearly 40 years, the three facilities have played host to an endless amount of exciting and diverse events, including: National Finals Rodeo, World Championship boxing, Monster Jam World Finals, Monster Energy Cup, UNLV Athletics, NBA Summer League, music festivals, and conventions. Day after day, event after spectacular event, the set of venues continues to set attendance and revenue records confirming its status as a shining star in the entertainment capital of the world.

Thomas & Mack Center

Facility History

The Thomas & Mack Center is a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment facility which was completed in 1983 at a cost of nearly $30 million. The Thomas & Mack Center is one of the West's premier facilities located on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The Thomas & Mack Center was named for two prominent Las Vegas bankers, E. Parry Thomas and Jerome Mack, who established the original land foundation and donated $500,000 for feasibility studies and the initial architectural renderings. Originally designed as a sports venue to house the UNLV Runnin' Rebels, the focus and direction of the facility quickly changed in the preconstruction phases, allowing the facility to become multipurpose.

In 1983, the facility had two major goals: 100 event days per year and one million guests. Today, the Thomas & Mack Center hosts more than 250 diverse and distinct events annually and nearly 25 million guests have passed through its doors.

The facility has had championship boxing, the National Finals Rodeo, superstar concerts, major industrial shows, fun and exciting family productions, and a wide array of sporting events, from the 2007 NBA All-Star Game to Budweiser World Cup Horse Jumping.

Over the past 24 years a variety of superstars and super-groups have performed at the facility, including Elton John, U2, Mariah Carey, Dixie Chicks, Eric Clapton, Celine Dion, N'SYNC, Garth Brooks, Bruce Springsteen, Rod Stewart, Aerosmith, Phish, Linkin Park, Jay-Z, Eminem, Green Day, Stained, and Korn to name a few.

The facility has hosted Disney on Ice, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, the Harlem Globetrotters, The Wiggles, The Cheetah Girls, High School Musical Live, The American Idol Tour, The Dancing With The Stars Tour, WWE Raw and numerous others.

Home of the UNLV Runnin' Rebels the Thomas & Mack Center also brings a variety of other sporting events to Las Vegas. The facility hosts championship boxing matches, the National Finals Rodeo, NBA exhibition games, Mountain West Basketball Tournaments, Rolex FEI World Cup Championships, and the NBA Summer League.

The venue contributes significantly to the overall economic impact of Southern Nevada by providing jobs, generating sales tax and providing a facility for tourists and locals alike. Industry related trade publications regularly list the Thomas & Mack Center as one of the top venues in the country.

In 2016, the Thomas & Mack Center underwent a $72.5 million dollar modernization in order to stay competitive in the market. The modernization included a 35,000 square foot addition named the Strip View Pavilion located on the west side of the building. The new space is a multi-purpose facility to accommodate meetings, private events, and expand on the events hosted at the Thomas & Mack Center.

 

Fast Facts

The facility is named after two prominent Nevada bankers, E. Parry Thomas and Jerome Mack who donated the original funds for the feasibility and land studies.

  • The Gala Grand Opening was held on December 16, 1983 and featured Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Diana Ross.
  • Maximum seating capacity is 19,522 for boxing and 18,776 for basketball.
  • Height from floor to ceiling is 104 feet.
  • There are 4500 on-site parking spaces and 6500 additional on-campus parking spaces.
  • The concourse is 42,000 square feet.
  • The floor is 8,600 square feet (bleachers extended) and 20,000 square feet (bleachers retracted).
  • The floor is evenly illuminated with 350 foot candles of metal Halide lighting.
  • The Center is cooled by 1,175 tons of air conditioning.
  • The Thomas & Mack Center has 30 VIP luxury suites.
  • The Thomas & Mack Center is only 1/2 mile from McCarran International Airport and less than 5 minutes from the famous Las Vegas Strip.
  • The largest attendance at an event was 20,321 at a basketball game featuring the UNLV Runnin' Rebels vs. Navy.

 

Milestones

  • November 21, 1983 - First event - UNLV Runnin' Rebels vs. Victoria, Canada
  • November 23, 1983 - First NBA basketball game - Utah Jazz vs. California Suns
  • December 16, 1983 - Grand opening - "Christmas With Class" featuring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Diana Ross
  • December 18, 1983 - First rock concert – Loverboy
  • December 30, 1983 - First basketball sellout - UNLV Runnin' Rebels vs. Georgetown
  • March 1, 1984 - First ice show - Walt Disney's World On Ice
  • March 30, 1984 - USA Olympic volleyball team competes in international competition at Thomas & Mack Center
  • April 27, 1984 - First tractor pull - Big Foot comes to the Thomas & Mack Center
  • April 29, 1984 - First country western concert - Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson
  • May 3, 1984 - Sesame Street Live makes first appearance at Thomas & Mack Center
  • October 25, 1984 - Muppet Babies make first appearance at Thomas & Mack Center
  • March 3, 1985 - First classical concert - Pavarotti
  • April 5, 1985 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar breaks the NBA all-time scoring record in a game against the Utah Jazz
  • December 7, 1985 - National Finals Rodeo makes first appearance
  • April 7, 1986 - World Wrestling Federation makes first appearance
  • April 24, 1987 - First Coors Grand Prix Challenge in Thomas & Mack Center parking lots
  • November 14, 1987 - First comedian performs at Thomas & Mack Center - Eddie Murphy
  • May 18, 1988 - First World Basketball League game - Las Vegas Silver Streaks vs. Fresno Flames
  • August 27, 1988 - First U.S. Olympic basketball game vs. NBA All-Stars
  • October 19-22, 1989 - First Broadway musical - Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS
  • January 25, 1992 - Largest attendance single performance concert - 17,590 fans attended the Guns n' Roses concert, Later broken by U2 on November 18, 2001 when U2 sold 17,771 tickets
  • July 27, 1992 - $7.5 million renovation and construction plans announced to enlarge concourse, add restrooms and concession stands, new directional signs, acoustical treatment, new interior design
  • September 12, 1992 - Fastest sellout in boxing history - Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Hector Camacho - 19,566 fans - $4.5 million gross - sold out in less than 36 hours
  • November 13, 1992 - Highest grossing boxing event - Riddick Bowe vs. Evander Holyfield - $6 million/17,500 fans. Later to be beat out by Evander Holyfield vs. Lennox Lewis in 1999, with a gross of $18,124,200
  • August 16, 1993 - Quickest concert sellout - Garth Brooks/First of three shows sold out in 59 minutes
  • December 17, 1993 - Inaugural game of the International Hockey League - Las Vegas Thunder vs. Atlanta Knights
  • May 20, 1995 - Inaugural game of the Arena Football League - Las Vegas Sting vs. San Jose
  • July 25, 1997 - $27 million approved by Nevada Legislature for UNLV facility improvements. ($11.5 million for Thomas & Mack Center expansion/renovation and upgrades to include: roof repair, upgraded restrooms, padded seats, upgraded concession stands, reconfiguration of main entrances, ADA access, outdoor mall area and lighting)
  • August, 13-16 1998 - Garth Brooks sells out (4) shows, 72,076, first (4 concerts sellout by one artist)
  • October 16, 1998 - partner with Caesars Palace to promote a Celine Dion sell-out in the round for 17,469 fans.
  • October 26-28 1999 - Professional Bull Riders, PBR makes the Thomas & Mack Center their new home, and signs a (5) year deal.
  • November 13, 1999 - Highest grossing single event in Nevada History. Evander Holyfield vs. Lennox Lewis fight grossed $18,124,200
  • December 30, 1999 - Highest grossing single concert. Elton John and Tina Turner concert grossed $3,054,000.
  • January 2001 - National Finals Rodeo announces 10 year extension to keep rodeo in Las Vegas at the Thomas & Mack Center.
  • July 1, 2002 - Thomas & Mack Center, begins a new day as its own ticketing entity, UNLVtickets.
  • January 2003 - Thomas & Mack Center agrees to a 3 year deal with the Arena Football League, Las Vegas Gladiators.
  • April 2003 - Budweiser World Cup Horse Jumping and Dressage takes place at the Thomas & Mack Center which represents the event's first appearance in the United States.
  • September 11, 2003 - Thomas & Mack Center celebrates its 20th anniversary, hosting REM in concert.
  • October 2003 - Los Angeles Lakers play Sacramento Kings in an NBA exhibition game that sells out the Thomas & Mack Center.
  • April 2004 - Phish sells out all three days of performances at the Thomas & Mack Center.
  • August 2004 - Democratic Presidential candidate, John Kerry, and his running mate, John Edwards, speak at the Thomas & Mack Center.
  • August 2004 - President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney speak at the Thomas & Mack Center.
  • September 2004 - The world's leading live music event, the World Music Awards, debuts at the Thomas & Mack Center and is broadcast live on ABC worldwide to an audience of over 1 billion people in over 160 countries.
  • August 8, 2006 - The USA Men's Basketball Senior National Team competes at the Thomas & Mack Center for the first time, against Puerto Rico.
  • October 21, 2006 - PRIDE Fighting Championships debuts in America at the Thomas & Mack Center.
  • February, 16-18, 2007 - The 2007 NBA All-Star Game takes place for the first time in Las Vegas at the Thomas & Mack Center.
  • January 9-13, 2008 - Walking with Dinosaurs-the Arena Spectacular stopped at the Thomas & Mack Center during its 144 city tour.
  • August 10, 2009 - Thomas & Mack Center hosts the National Clean Energy Summit where former president Bill Clinton spoke.
  • October 3-7, 2012 - Batman Live brought Gotham City to the Thomas & Mack Center.
  • June 6, 2014 - Tuff N Uff celebrates its 20th anniversary by hosting a free event at the Thomas & Mack Center.
  • October 19, 2016 - Thomas & Mack Center hosts the final presidential debate of the election season.
  • July 7-17, 2017 - The NBA Summer League breaks attendance record with more than 100,000 attendees at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Sam Boyd Stadium

Facility History

Named after a prominent Las Vegas hotel owner and gaming pioneer, the facility has evolved over the years not only in size (from 15,000 to 32,000 and to 40,000 seats) but in the way it handled event bookings, marketing, and sponsorship opportunities.

Sam Boyd Stadium is home to the UNLV Rebel Football team, the Las Vegas Bowl, AMA Supercross Series Finals, the Monster Jam World Finals and the Vegoose music festival.

The Grateful Dead played the Sam Boyd Stadium for five consecutive years from 1991 to 1995, all of which have set records for the top grossing and highest attended shows. The band's final performance in Las Vegas (1995) holds the #1 position, with 125,533 fans attending the concert which grossed over $3.7 million.

Other music superstars who performed at the stadium include the Eagles, Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Matthews Band, Beck, Jack Johnson, Tom Petty, The Killers, Metallica, U2, Rage Against The Machine, Daft Punk , and The Roots.

The stadium celebrated its 25th anniversary in the fall of 1996 by hosting the UNLV vs. Wisconsin football game with 41,091 fans attending the event, setting the record for the state's largest attendance at an outdoor sporting event.

Beginning in the fall of 1998, the Sam Boyd Stadium underwent a major $17.5 million renovation and expansion project, adding 9,000 seats to the stadium and reconfiguring the current seating capacity to 40,000. The improvements included a new concourse, upgraded and expanded restrooms, upgraded concession stands, a new press box, repaved parking lots, upgraded ADA access, and a new scoring system as well as a new playing surface.

 

Fast Facts

The 15,000 seat facility was constructed in 1971 at a cost of $3.5 million

  • The Sam Boyd Stadium features an artificial grass with rubber infill.
  • The largest football attendance was UNLV vs. Wisconsin in 1996, drawing 41,091 fans.
  • UNLV joined the Mountain West Conference in 1998.
  • Hosted the first all black college game on September 21, 2002 Grambling St. vs. Tennessee St. for 23,000 fans.
  • Sold out the Monster Jam Finals and Supercross World Finals in 2002. Total attendance 65,000 fans.

 

Milestones

  • October 23, 1971 - First event held at the facility - UNLV Football vs. Weber State
  • 1978 - Facility renamed Las Vegas Silver Bowl
  • 1978 - Facility expands to 32,000 seats
  • 1984 - Las Vegas Silver Bowl renamed Sam Boyd Silver Bowl
  • Summer 1985 - Monsanto outdoor retractable turf system installed
  • April 27-28, 1991 - First of five Grateful Dead concerts take place at Sam Boyd Stadium/Grateful Dead and Santana perform to 79,000 fans
  • April 14, 1993 - Paul McCartney opens " New World Tour" at Sam Boyd Stadium
  • December 18, 1993 - First Las Vegas Bowl game played featuring Reno and Bowling Green
  • April 26, 1994 - Sam Boyd Silver Bowl renamed Sam Boyd Stadium
  • June 18, 1994 - Record set for highest grossing concert (single performance) - Eagles Gross: $1,924,570.00
  • June 29, 1994 - Inaugural pre-season game of the Canadian Football League - Las Vegas Posse vs. Edmonton Eskimos
  • July 7, 1994 - Lollapalooza Tour makes first appearance at Sam Boyd Stadium
  • May 19-21, 1995 - Record set for largest attendance and highest gross at a multiple performance concert - Grateful Dead/Dave Matthews Band. Attendance: 125,533, gross: $3.7 million
  • September 7, 1996 - UNLV Football plays first game as a member of the Western Athletic Conference vs. Air Force
  • September 14, 1996 - Record set for largest football attendance - UNLV vs. Wisconsin Attendance: 41,041
  • December 7, 1996 - Inaugural Western Athletic Conference Championship Football Game featuring BYU vs. Wyoming
  • April 25, 1997 - U2 opens "Popmart" World Tour at Sam Boyd Stadium/Record set for largest attendance (single performance) concert. Attendance: 35,401
  • July 25, 1997 - $27 million approved by Nevada Legislature for UNLV facility improvements. $15.5 million was devoted to Sam Boyd Stadium expansion, renovation, and upgrades. Renovation included expanded concourse, upgraded restrooms, upgraded concession stands, new press box, repaving parking lots, upgraded ADA access, a new scoring system, and a new playing surface.
  • September 20, 1997 - The official UNLV Football tailgate area, known at "Rebel Experience" opens at Sam Boyd Stadium
  • January 27, 1998 - $2 million grant awarded to Sam Boyd Stadium to reconfigure and expand the facility to 40,000 seats
  • October 29-30, 2005 - The first annual Vegoose Music Festival takes place at Sam Boyd Stadium and Star Nursery Fields, featuring: Dave Matthews Band, Beck, Jack Johnson, WidesSpread Panic, and more.
  • December 21, 2006- The Pioneer Pure Vision Las Vegas Bowl Sells Out. Over 40,053 fans filled the stadium.
  • December 22, 2007- The Pioneer Pure Vision Las Vegas Bowl sells out for the second consecutive year, 44,615 fans attended.

Cox Pavilion

Facility History

A contribution from Cox Communications enabled UNLV to build a third facility to provide corporate, convention, and meeting planners a new alternative in Las Vegas.

This 3,000 seat venue houses UNLV's Volleyball and Women's Basketball programs and also features a practice facility for the Men's Basketball program. The Cox Pavilion's 23,000 square feet is also used for academic functions, concerts, keynote addresses, trade shows, and parties. In-house services include catering, audio/visual, production, event-staffing, advertising, video production, public relations, and talent booking.

 

Fast Facts

  • May 25, 2001 - Vince Gill - Opened Cox Pavilion. Big Picture Promotions partnered with Cox Communications to present "An Evening with Vince Gill" as the inaugural event in the Cox Pavilion at UNLV
  • July 25, 2001 - First rock sell out of the Cox, Green Day with 2,850 patrons
  • August 18, 2001 - Cox Pavilion played host to its first Showtime Televised Boxing Match. David Tua vs. Chris Byrd (Heavyweights)
  • September 19-23, 2001 - Cox plays host to Sesame Street as the first family event in the venue.
  • January 12, 2002 - Boxing, Freitas vs. Casamayor, first boxing sellout, Showtime (SET)
  • October 17, 2002 - Hyundai Motor Corp makes the Cox Pavilion its home for a corporate showcase and event.
  • October 24-27, 2002 - PBR utilizes the Cox as the Gift Expo
  • February 19-23, 2003 - Tae Kwon Do Tournament, sold out for a (5) day run.
  • April 4-6, 2003 - Cox Pavilion host the NCAA Collegiate Boxing Championships.
  • July 2004 - Reebok Vegas Summer League, "Stars of Tomorrow" debuts at the Cox Pavilion with six NBA teams competing in a 6-day tournament.
  • April 9, 2005-"The Ultimate Fighter" television Finale is held at the Cox Pavilion.