The NBA Vegas Summer League kicks off Friday, July 12th. That means NBA fans will be pouring into Vegas to watch the future of the NBA begin their careers! With an influx of not only rookies, but veteran players, reports, coaches, and GMs in town. Few places are more loaded with NBA fame than the Vegas Summer League. It can be daunting if you’ve never done it before, but we have you covered. In this article, we’ll walk you through our tips and tricks to maximize your time at Summer League!
If you know which games or teams you want to see we recommend buying your ticket ahead of time. You can buy them online, or at the venue. A general admission ticket will get you into the Thomas & Mack Center all day, so don’t fret about buying a ticket for a specific game or time. Ticket prices for general admission run about $62 after taxes and fees.
If you’re interested in a more premium experience, there are ticket packages available, but those run $250+. In our experience at the NBA Summer League, most people will be fine with general admission. If you go for GA, be mindful about which games you want to see, the large games can be challenging to find good seats.
Planning is important too. While there are concessions at the arena, unless you’re a complete basketball junkie spending all day at the venue is a long day. We recommend planning your day around 2 games, but you can stay for all 8 with a GA ticket if you want. Reentry is allowed, so if you want to watch the morning game then get lunch and come back, that is a great way to do it!
For many fans, the Las Vegas Strip is the best place to stay because of its proximity to UNLV where Summer League is hosted. With plenty of hotel options, it’s easy to find something. Getting from the strip to UNLV isn’t difficult, but there are a few options you should consider especially if you’ve never traveled in Vegas before.
Ridesharing and taxis will be your best friend in getting to and from the Thomas & Mack Center. Many hotels on the strip will have designated pick and drop-off areas, so look for signs directing you there, or you’ll have issues getting a ride.
When you are at the venue, there will be a taxi loop in front of the area for drop-offs and pick-ups. There will be signs to show you where to go. Try to avoid leaving the venue right after a game has ended, this is when prices for a ride will surge. Watch the first quarter of the next game or leave early to avoid this.
If you’re driving to summer league you can just park at the arena to make things simple. Parking is free, and there is plenty of availability around the arena. Just be aware that after the final game of the evening or any major game with high-profile rookies, it can take a while to exit the arena.
If you’re looking to save a bit of money on a taxi or a rideshare, the bus can be a good option as well. 3 different routes can take you to the Thomas & Mack Center.
109 at SB Maryland After Harmon
201A EB Tropicana After University Ctr
108 SB Paradise Before Tropicana
These routes will get you to within a 10-minute or less walk to the venue.
With the proximity of UNLV to the strip it might be tempting to walk avoiding the rideshare or tax expense, but DON’T. From personal experience, it seems like an easy walk, but the distance is farther than it seems, especially in the mid-July heat. Even after sunset, the temperature can be in the upper 90s. Let alone, some of the neighborhoods between UNLV and the strip are not the safest to navigate. Be safe, don’t walk.
While in Vegas you may want to put a little action on some of these games. While you would think the gambling hub of the world would make this easy, the options can be limited for mobile better. With plenty of physical sportsbooks to wager at, that might not be a problem, but if you prefer the app experience we’ll list a couple that should work for you.
The BetMGM app is one of our favorites at the moment. It’s available in many states that allow mobile sports betting so you may already have it on your phone. BetMGM is currently running an awesome promo for new users if you haven’t signed up yet. They are offering a $1500 paid-back promotion, meaning if you lose your first bet, they’ll give you a site credit that matches your original bet amount. If that sounds like a good deal use our link below to sign up.
Must be 21+. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call or Text 1-800-GAMBLER.
Caesars is another dominant sportsbook, with widespread coverage as well. Their app is just as competitive as the BetMGM one, it comes down to who has the best line most of the time. Caesars is also running a similar promotion to BetMGM. They will cover your first loss of up to $1000 dollar with site credit. So if you’re looking to be covered, you can download both apps and take advantage of both promotions to maximize the bonuses!
Must be 21+. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call or Text 1-800-GAMBLER.
The NBA Summer League in Las Vegas is one of the best times of the year for NBA basketball. With loads of optimism around teams, it’s a great place to witness future stars take their first steps into the league. With loads of NBA talent and stars milling around town, you are bound to see some recognizable faces. We just hope you have a great time, and stay safe! Enjoy!
21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-877-770-7867(CO), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), 1-888-532-3500 (VA).