While many go to Las Vegas for the casinos, clubs, and dancing the night away, others hit the Strip to watch a much-awaited show. After all, Las Vegas is no stranger to mesmerizing drag shows, theatric performances, concert residencies, awards ceremonies, and sports events.
And while there are plenty of arenas and stadiums that hold these Vegas shows, there’s none quite as iconic as the MGM Grand Garden Arena. For 30 years, the legendary arena has been the site for adrenaline-pumping combat sports, electrifying concerts, and awe-inspiring moments in history.
Catching a show at the MGM Grand Arena any time soon? Here’s everything you need to know about the multi-purpose coliseum, from its seating capacity to its strict safety policies during events.
What is the MGM Grand Garden Arena?
The MGM Grand Garden Arena opened in 1993 and has since hosted hundreds of glamorous and exciting events in Vegas. It’s a favorite among artists, awards nights, and sports organizations for their biggest shows.
The huge arena is situated within MGM Grand, one of the most popular hotel and casino complexes in Vegas. It sits right on the Las Vegas Strip, making it one of the most accessible show venues for travelers visiting the city to catch a concert or show.
What Kinds of Events are Held in the MGM Grand Arena?
The MGM Grand Garden Arena is very versatile and can be adjusted for any kind of event. It can be turned into a combat sports ring, having hosted historic events such as Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao in 2015 and over 40 UFC matches from 2001 to 2016.
It can also become a sports arena, holding indoor soccer games, hockey matches, and even games for the NBA pre-season back in 2014.
But the arena isn’t just for sports and action. When dressed up nicely, it becomes the backdrop for some of the most glamorous nights in music.
MGM Grand Garden Arena has been the venue for the Latin Grammy Awards and the Academy of Country Music Awards on and off for several years. Most notably, it hosted the 64th Grammy Awards in 2022.
MGM Grand Arena Seating Capacity
The massive arena has 17,000 seats, although this may change depending on the show, its staging requirements, and its unique seat plan. These seats are broken down into general admission seats, balcony seats, and the coveted Premium Loge Seating.
Premium Loge Seating gives you some of the best, most premium seats in the house. It also comes with first-class in-seat service and access to the Sky Vodka Lounge. It’s the perfect investment for those who want to have a luxury experience when watching a much-awaited show.
MGM Grand Garden Arena also has disabled seating throughout the coliseum. Make sure to call the box office and make arrangements to ensure you get a proper seat where you can still have the best view possible.
Pets are not allowed in the arena. However, service animals accompanying guests with disabilities are very much welcome to sit by their owners. Note that these guests are responsible for any damage caused by their service animals during the show.
What is the MGM Grand Arena Bag Policy?
Because it’s a huge arena that holds thousands of people at once, the MGM Grand Garden Arena is quite strict with its safety policies. With their stringent requirements, they ensure that each of their attendees doesn’t have to worry about safety hazards and accidents while they enjoy the show.
The arena is notorious for its strict bag policy, which the venue sets in place to protect its guests. No backpacks and big bags are allowed in the venue except for handbags and purses that don’t exceed 12 x 12 x 6 inches in size.
The rule applies even to hotel guests. If a hotel guest tries to enter the arena with their bag, they will likely be turned away and asked to put their bags back in their hotel room.
Note that there are no bag check-in services at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. If you have a huge bag with you, you’ll need to leave it in your hotel or car before entering the event venue.
What Else Isn’t Allowed Inside the Arena?
The arena’s strict policies don’t stop at bags. They also have an extensive list of prohibited items that no one is allowed to bring into the venue. Here are just some of them:
- No food and drink from outside the venue. Cans, bottles, and flasks aren’t allowed in either, even if they’re empty.
- No cameras and other equipment for professional photography, especially those with external flash and detachable lenses. Drones aren’t allowed either.
- No large devices such as laptops and tablets.
- No selfie sticks and tripods, as this can be a safety hazard for the guests around you.
- No illegal drugs, firearms, pepper spray, mace, and other weapons.
- No signs that are bigger than 17 x 11 inches. Signs aren’t allowed to be attached to a stick or pole either. They also must not have anything offensive or obscene written on them.
You can check out the full list of prohibited items on the MGM Grand website.
MGM Grand Arena Parking
Parking to watch a show at the MGM Grand Arena is quite convenient. Registered hotel guests get a special 24-hour parking fee, which can be charged to their room. They have these parking privileges until 11:59 PM on the day of their check-out.
Meanwhile, non-hotel guests can still park in MGM Grand’s parking space. The first hour is free for all guests, while Nevada residents get their first three hours free. Then, the regular parking fees apply afterward.
Conclusion
The MGM Grand Garden Arena might just be an events venue to some, but it’s an integral part of what makes Vegas the iconic show city that it is. From exhilarating boxing events to the showstopping Grammys, it has hosted some of America’s greatest, most unforgettable nights.
Bookmark this page to know everything about this iconic arena the next time you’re watching a game or concert there. We hope you have a blast watching the show of your dreams at the legendary MGM Grand Garden Arena!