LVCVA to Sponsor NBA Cup and Vegas Kickoff Classic

Las Vegas tourism officials are set to commit significant funding to secure high-profile sports events in the city over the next several years. At its upcoming meeting, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) board will consider two sponsorship packages totaling close to $3.7 million. 

The proposals include $1 million to back the 2025 NBA Cup semifinals and final. It adds another $2.65 million to underwrite future editions of the Vegas Kickoff Classic from 2027 through 2030.

The NBA Cup, part of the league's in-season tournament, will again conclude in Las Vegas this December. The semifinals are scheduled for Dec. 13 and the championship for Dec. 16 at T-Mobile Arena. 

Teams advance to the Las Vegas stage after group matches and quarterfinal rounds are played in NBA arenas around the country. The final four then compete in Nevada, with the winners of the Eastern and Western Conference brackets meeting for the trophy.

Tourism data show the event has delivered strong results. Last year's tournament attracted about 17,300 additional visitors and generated roughly 19,000 extra hotel stays. The final, which saw the Milwaukee Bucks defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder, averaged nearly 3 million viewers nationally on ABC. 

For this year, streaming rights have shifted to Amazon Prime. 

The Vegas Kickoff Classic is another target for long-term sponsorship. Under the pending agreement with ESPN Productions, LVCVA would spread its $2.65-million commitment over four years. 

The event has proven a draw for out-of-town fans, with the 2024 matchup between USC and LSU filling 58,428 seats, 86% of which were sold to visitors from outside Nevada.

Tourism chief defends Las Vegas' accessibility

The sponsorships come as Las Vegas officials work to maintain steady tourism levels amid recent declines in visitor numbers. Steve Hill, CEO of the LVCVA, addressed concerns at the end of August, saying the city remains affordable across multiple price points despite a 12% drop in July visitor counts compared to last year.  

About 3.1 million people visited during the month, according to LVCVA data.

Hill acknowledged that convention attendance fell 10% in June but rebounded with a 10% gain in July. He explained that long-term bookings are holding up, especially over the next 16 months.

Foreign travel trends are a mixed bag too. Canadian tourism is down 18%, but Mexican, UK and Australian arrivals are up, boosted by added air service.

Even as visitor numbers declined, casinos in Nevada reported gaming revenue of $1.36 billion in July, a 4% increase over the prior year. The Las Vegas Strip added $749 million, a 5.6% increase, and downtown casinos gained 3.6%.

Hill was also critical of high visa fees paid by foreign visitors from non-waiver states, citing fees as high as $250 per individual and long lead times. He also cited the fall events schedule and strong bookings through December as signs of positive momentum.