The Wizard Of Oz At Sphere
Awakening
Mystère
Absinthe
“O”
KA
Blue Man Group
Michael Jackson ONE
Tournament of Kings
Jabbawockeez
Piff The Magic Dragon
Las Vegas runs more poker tournaments than any other city in the world, from daily games at major casino poker rooms to the World Series of Poker, which draws players from over 100 countries every summer. If you’re planning a tournament trip for poker, team sports, or another competition, here’s what you need to know.
Major Las Vegas Poker Tournaments
The World Series of Poker is the largest annual event. It runs from late May through mid-July at Horseshoe Las Vegas, with over 100 bracelet events ranging from $400 buy-ins to the $10,000 Main Event. The Main Event draws thousands of entrants and the final table is livestreamed globally. If you’re building a Vegas trip around poker, the WSOP calendar is the natural anchor. See WSOP.com for the current schedule.
The ARIA Poker Classic at ARIA Resort and Casino runs a separate schedule with 40-plus trophy events and a headlining championship with multi-million dollar guarantees. The final table is livestreamed. Strong field, modern facility, and consistently high prize pools.
The Venetian DeepStack Championship Poker Series runs May through July and draws one of the largest non-WSOP fields in Vegas. Known for strong guarantees, multiple formats, and a consistent mix of recreational and serious players.
The Golden Nugget Grand Poker Series runs during the summer with lower buy-ins and a more recreational field. A solid entry point if you’re newer to tournament poker or want volume without the stakes pressure of the WSOP or ARIA events.
Team Sports Tournaments in Las Vegas
Las Vegas has grown into one of the top U.S. destinations for youth and adult sports tournaments. The combination of purpose-built facilities and the off-field entertainment options gives it an edge over other tournament cities.
Basketball: AAU youth tournaments and adult recreational leagues both run year-round at Tarkanian Basketball Academy and the Las Vegas Convention Center. National-level events draw club teams from across the country.
Soccer: The Las Vegas Mayor’s Cup and Players Showcase are recurring events that bring regional and international teams. Quality turf facilities and the entertainment infrastructure make it a preferred destination for club soccer programs.
Baseball: Big League Dreams Las Vegas has scaled-down replicas of MLB stadiums and hosts travel and club team tournaments throughout the year. Las Vegas Ballpark, a professional-grade facility, hosts occasional showcase events and college matchups.
Softball: Co-ed and competitive leagues run regularly with tournament weekends in spring and fall. Multiple fields around the city handle events from local rec leagues to serious competitive play.
Senior Group Tournaments: Bingo, Slots, and Pickleball
Bingo: Station Casinos runs bingo lounges at multiple properties including Palace Station, Red Rock Casino, and Green Valley Ranch. Daily sessions and special events with large prize pools, including annual events with six-figure jackpots. Current schedules at Station Casinos bingo.
Pickleball: The Las Vegas Pickleball Open at the Plaza Hotel and Casino is one of the higher-profile national events for the sport. Competitive brackets for all skill levels. For senior groups that want to stay active, this is the top pickleball tournament in the city.
Slot tournaments and senior promotions: Multiple casinos run senior promotion days with slot tournament formats and bonus play. The Orleans Casino runs recurring senior promotions for guests 50 and older. Several Strip properties run similar programs on weekdays.
What is the Best Poker Tournament in Las Vegas?
It depends on your goals. The WSOP Main Event is the most prestigious tournament anywhere in the world, but it’s also the hardest field to beat. For strong guarantees at a high skill level, the ARIA Poker Classic and Venetian DeepStack events offer tighter competition than most players will find at the WSOP. For a more recreational experience, the Golden Nugget Grand Poker Series has lower buy-ins and a less aggressive field. All three run in summer, so you can plan around them as a package if the trip timing works.
Where is the WSOP 2026 in Las Vegas?
The World Series of Poker is held at Horseshoe Las Vegas, on Flamingo Road west of the Strip. The WSOP moved to Horseshoe in 2022 after decades at the Rio. The venue is about a 10-minute drive from most major Strip hotels. Check WSOP.com for the current event schedule and registration dates.
Shows to Book Around Your Tournament Schedule
Tournament players typically have significant time between sessions. These shows fit well into a tournament week because they’re close to major poker rooms and offer multiple showtimes:
Tournament of Kings at Excalibur is a dinner show with knights, horses, and staged combat. If you’re here for tournament week, the theme lands. You eat with your hands and cheer for your section’s knight. Tickets from $74.
The Wizard of Oz at Sphere runs early and late shows, sitting on the east side of the Strip about 10 to 15 minutes from Horseshoe. The best option for groups that haven’t been to Vegas recently. Tickets from $123.
Michael Jackson ONE and Awakening both run multiple nights per week with showtimes that work around typical tournament schedules.
For groups of 10 or more, Spotlight handles group bookings with exact seat selection and comparison pricing across all shows.
What Casino Has the Best Poker Room in Las Vegas?
The Bellagio Poker Room has the longest reputation for elite cash games. ARIA is considered the top room for serious tournament players and high-stakes cash, with a modern facility and strong daily game selection. Wynn rounds out the top tier for cash game quality.
For daily tournament volume, the Venetian and Horseshoe both run multiple events per day with a range of buy-ins. If you want the highest number of daily tournament options without committing to one property, those two rooms have the most consistent action during peak season.
