Las Vegas Set To Host 2027 College Football Championship

Las Vegas, long known for its dazzling lights, world-class entertainment, and bustling casino scene, has added another feather to its cap: a reputation as one of the nation’s top sports destinations. That reputation is about to reach new heights, as the city prepares to host the 2027 College Football Playoff (CFP) national championship game at Allegiant Stadium—a first for Nevada and a milestone that underscores the city’s meteoric rise in the sports world.

For years, Las Vegas was seen primarily as a gambling mecca, but the tides have turned. The city has steadily transformed itself into a hub for major sporting events, thanks to decades of infrastructure development, an expanding hospitality sector, and a relentless drive to diversify its entertainment portfolio. Economists and industry experts say this shift has paid dividends, with sports tourism drawing a steady stream of resilient visitors who help insulate the region from economic ups and downs.

"When I first moved here in 2004, I don't think we ever thought that day would come because there was so much bad feeling about Las Vegas and gambling," Amanda Belarmino, an associate professor at UNLV's William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, told local media. "I think it's a great opportunity, as long as it goes well, to host that event again and then attract other major events. We may not be a World Cup city right now, but this puts us in position for things like that in the future."

Las Vegas’s selection as the host city for the 2027 CFP national championship game was made official on January 24, 2025. The announcement, which featured Strip headlining magician Shin Lim in a special video, was met with excitement from locals and visitors alike. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority approved a contract of up to $40 million to bring the game to Allegiant Stadium, located at 3333 Al Davis Way, just off the Strip. The stadium, which opened in 2020, is no stranger to major events, but this will be its first time hosting college football’s biggest night.

Allegiant Stadium’s central location makes it easily accessible for fans arriving from near and far. The venue sits adjacent to I-15, between Russell Road and Tropicana Avenue, and is less than five miles from Harry Reid International Airport. For those staying on the Strip, the Hacienda Bridge offers a direct pedestrian route to the stadium, and rideshare options abound, with designated pickup and drop-off areas in Lot N. Public transportation is also a breeze, thanks to the RTC’s Deuce bus, which runs 24/7 every 15 minutes, stopping near Mandalay Bay at the base of the Hacienda Bridge. A 24-hour pass will set you back just $8 and can be purchased through the RTC app.

Parking and tailgating are part of the game-day experience, and Allegiant Stadium delivers on both fronts. Multiple onsite parking lots, as well as private garages within walking distance, are available for reservation through the SpotHero app. Tailgating is permitted in the majority of spaces surrounding the stadium, but fans should note that all setups must be cleared at the start of the event and again after the game ends. Stadium personnel will be on hand to ensure compliance, and all lots will be cleared within an hour of the final whistle. Allegiant Stadium is a cashless facility, so be sure to bring a debit or credit card, or set up mobile payment in advance.

Tickets for the CFP national championship are always in high demand, and 2027 promises to be no exception. Most tickets are allocated to the two participating schools and sold directly through each university, but a limited number are available on the secondary market. If last year’s game is any indication—where the average price soared to $4,330, the highest on record—fans should brace themselves for even steeper prices in Las Vegas. Merchandise will be available both at the stadium and online at the official College Football Playoff shop, so fans can gear up for the big game in style.

The championship game, scheduled for January 25, 2027, will cap off a 12-team postseason tournament that has become the crown jewel of college football since its inception in 2014. The playoff field is set to be announced on December 6, 2026, but there’s a chance the CFP committee could expand the field to 16 teams—a decision expected to be discussed in the coming weeks. Alabama currently leads all schools with three national titles in the CFP era, but last year’s surprise champion, the Indiana Hoosiers, proved that anything is possible. Indiana capped a perfect 16-0 season by defeating the Miami Hurricanes in the 2026 title game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, marking their first national championship and one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent memory.

Looking ahead to 2027, oddsmakers at Caesars sportsbook have installed Ohio State as the +625 favorite to claim the title, with Indiana and Notre Dame close behind at 7-1. Other top contenders include Texas (+750), Oregon (+775), Georgia (8-1), and LSU (11-1). But as Indiana showed, the landscape of college football is more unpredictable than ever, thanks in part to the transfer portal and the growing influence of deep-pocketed programs. Local fans are already dreaming big, though UNLV’s chances are considered slim unless coach Dan Mullen can pull off a miracle. Still, recent upsets by Boise State, James Madison, and Tulane in previous playoffs serve as reminders that underdogs can—and do—crash the party.

Las Vegas’s emergence as a sports capital isn’t limited to football. The city has hosted everything from major boxing matches to NHL and NFL games, and now, with the CFP title game on the horizon, it’s clear that Sin City is no longer just a playground for gamblers. As Mark Porter, an Indiana University graduate who traveled from Chicago to watch the 2026 championship in Las Vegas, put it: "We were going to go to Miami, but we didn't like the ticket prices. So we have 10 people from all over the country—Seattle, Nashville, Dallas, Chicago, Phoenix—coming here to watch the game."

The benefits of hosting such a marquee event extend well beyond the gridiron. Economists and hospitality professionals expect the championship to deliver a significant boost in local spending and national media exposure, with ripple effects that could last for years. And with the possibility of future events—perhaps even a World Cup—on the horizon, Las Vegas’s star as a sports destination is only getting brighter.

As fans, teams, and organizers gear up for the 2027 College Football Playoff national championship at Allegiant Stadium, one thing’s for sure: Las Vegas is ready for the spotlight, and the nation’s eyes will be watching as the city stakes its claim as the new epicenter of college football glory.