Mar. 25, 2025

UNLV is spotlighting the rapid rise of the region’s sports industry with the launch of the Southern Nevada Sports Economy Data Dashboard, developed by the Lee Business School's Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) in partnership with the UNLV Sports Innovation Institute.

This interactive platform provides valuable insights into the economic footprint of Las Vegas’s sports sector, tracking everything from stadium attendance to job growth in related industries. It highlights the growing importance of sports as a driver of tourism, business development, and employment across Southern Nevada.

Notable findings from the dashboard include:

  • Employment near Allegiant Stadium has nearly doubled since its opening, with a 12% increase in wages.
  • Roughly 60% of attendees at Allegiant Stadium sporting events are visitors from outside the region.
  • Las Vegas ranks among the top U.S. cities for sports venue capacity, ahead of San Diego, Orlando, and Nashville.
  • Sports instruction businesses have grown by 80% since 2014, and sports marketing firms have expanded by 805%.
  • Employment in sports-related promotion and arts has climbed from under 300 jobs in 2012 to over 1,800 in 2022.
  • UNLV football attendance hit a record-breaking 140,000 fans during the 2024 season—the highest since records began in 2004.

"In less than a decade, Las Vegas has become the premier major sports destination,” said Andrew Woods, Director of the Lee Business School’s Center for Business and Economic Research. “CBER’s dashboard provides critical data to measure the broader sports environment’s impact on the local economy. From business growth to employment and tourism trends, this tool gives stakeholders the information they need to understand and plan for continued growth.”

With professional teams, new arenas, and growing fan enthusiasm, Las Vegas is cementing its place as a top-tier sports city. The Southern Nevada Sports Economy Data Dashboard offers a vital resource for business leaders, policymakers, and residents looking to track and benefit from this dynamic industry.

View the dashboard: Southern Nevada Sports Economy Data Dashboard