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The end of the year is perfect for reflecting on what happened — and what could be ahead. In the context of the Las Vegas Strip, 2024 is shaping up to be one of the most transformative years in recent memory. A LOT went down and we’re here to not only recap it, but preview what it could mean going forward.
Two Icons Call It Quits
For decades, Las Vegas betting on the Strip has been synonymous with two brands — The Tropicana and The Mirage. That is no more as both closed down for good. And in the case of Tropicana, it was demolished completely.
Tropicana was the first to shutter, doing so in April (though the Demolition wasn’t until October). It stood there for a whopping 67 years — making it the third-oldest casino on the Strip at the time of its closing. It quite literally helped establish Las Vegas Boulevard until what it is today and remained a familiar landmark despite decades of change. Perhaps its most lasting legacy will be importing the feathered showgirl concept from France.
The Mirage said goodbye for the last time on June 17. This property didn’t have the staying power of Tropicana as it was only open for 35 years, but its impact is arguably bigger. Mirage was largely responsible for a building boom on the strip. After the then-luxury resort opened in 1989, many others followed (Bellagio and Venetian), all trying to outdo the pizzazz of the Mirage. The property’s exploding volcano, Siegfried and Roy’s tigers show, and Cirque du Soleil show were all part of Vegas’ lore.
But what’s replacing those two spots? We’ll get into that in the next section because it’ll shape the Strip forever.
Hard Rock And Baseball Coming Soon
We mentioned the Mirage would NOT be demolished, but it will be vastly remodeled. Behind the work will be the iconic Hard Rock Casino & Resort brand, a familiar name in the hospitality industry that had yet to enter Sin City. That won’t be for much longer though.
Work has already begun on the improvement project. Hard Rock plans to build a brand-new tower with 600 rooms and yes, in the shape of a giant guitar (600 feet high, no less). That guitar symbolizes these properties up and down the world. The rest of the existing casino will also be overhauled to fit this theme including a Hard Rock Bet sportsbook (remember this dominant has a monopoly on Florida’s sports betting scene). Things aren’t expected to be finished and ready for customers until early 2027 though.
As for the Tropicana, it’ll be replaced by something more than just another casino: an MLB ballpark. That’s right, the city is getting another professional team — its the third in about eight years. The Oakland A’s are relocating to Las Vegas but not until 2028. That’s because constructing this ballpark is going to take time.
Here’s the full details: the baseball stadium is expected to cost $1.5 billion. When done, a 33,000-seat stadium will be at the heart of the Strip. Construction on the park is expected to start in April 2025 — giving them three years to be ready before opening day of the 2028 MLB season.
The land is owned by Bally’s. Of course, they’re creating a casino and resort to go alongside the park. Plans are in place for a 90,000-square-foot casino with 1,500 slot machines, 75 table games, a poker room and a 12,000-square-foot sportsbook area (MLB betting will be killer here due to proximity). Bally’s wants part of the facility ready to go by opening day, but likely not all of it.
Both the park and casino-resort hybrid are ambitious projects — but likely worthwhile onex. Sure, the Strip has its share of sports with UFC, boxing, the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium, and so on. However, those are mostly weekend events. An MLB team? That’s 81 home games a year. If done right, this project could really pay dividends for everyone involved.
Another Iconic Name Coming To The Strip
In the world of hotel chains, Hard Rock certainly has a name, but there’s another that’s making its way to the Strip: ‘W. That’s right, this icon will soon stand tall next to other hotel giants.
This was just announced in November. The Delano Las Vegas will rebrand as the W Las Vegas very soon. It won’t be a remodel project, but just a rebrand so this change will happen quickly. It’s a joint project between Marriott International and MGM Resorts, who began partnering in 2023. Before the deal, Marriott had 12 associated hotels in Vegas — but none on the strip. With the partnership, 12 Strip hotels now have a Marriott association, something that point-getting members will surely love.
“W Las Vegas, the latest hotel to come to life as part of our collaboration, will allow our guests to access a new luxury lifestyle experience recognized worldwide for its distinct personality, dynamic programming and elevated service culture,” said Steve Zanella, president of MGM Resorts operations.
These are just some of the noteworthy changes announced or started in 2024. There are a few more — like a massive renovation project at The Venetian worth over $1 billion — but the three above might be the most surprising to someone who hasn’t been in Sin City in a while. The next time you visit, The Strip is going to look very different.
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