Expansion & Growth

MLS Expansion to Las Vegas: What We Know So Far

Everything about MLS expansion to Las Vegas, including ownership groups, proposed stadiums, timeline, and what it means for the league's growth.

Las Vegas has emerged as one of the most compelling expansion markets for Major League Soccer. The city's transformation into a major professional sports hub -- with the NFL's Raiders, NHL's Golden Knights, and WNBA's Aces all thriving -- has made it a natural target for MLS as the league pushes toward its goal of 30+ teams.

For the full picture of how MLS has grown and where expansion stands across all markets, see our complete guide to MLS expansion.

Why Las Vegas Makes Sense for MLS

A Proven Sports Market

Las Vegas has shattered the longstanding assumption that it could not support professional sports. The Vegas Golden Knights sold out every home game in their inaugural 2017-18 NHL season and reached the Stanley Cup Final. The Raiders' move to Allegiant Stadium in 2020 brought the NFL to the desert. The city has hosted Formula 1, the Super Bowl, the NFL Draft, and major boxing events.

This track record matters to MLS. The league has historically been cautious about expansion markets, preferring cities where there is demonstrated demand for live sports entertainment. Las Vegas checks that box emphatically.

Demographics and Tourism

The Las Vegas metropolitan area has a population of approximately 2.3 million, making it a mid-size market by MLS standards. But the population tells only part of the story. Las Vegas attracts over 40 million visitors annually, and a significant portion of those visitors are interested in live entertainment and sporting events.

An MLS club in Las Vegas could tap into tourism-driven attendance in a way that few other markets can. Weekend matches could draw visitors who want a unique sporting experience during their trip, supplementing the local season-ticket base.

Hispanic Population

Roughly 33% of the Las Vegas metro area's population is Hispanic or Latino, a demographic that historically shows strong interest in soccer. MLS has actively pursued markets with significant Hispanic populations, recognizing that these communities represent both passionate fan bases and attractive commercial opportunities for sponsors.

The Ownership Picture

Multiple ownership groups have expressed interest in bringing MLS to Las Vegas over the years. The most notable efforts have included:

Wes Edens-Led Group

Wes Edens, co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks (NBA) and Aston Villa (English Premier League), has been linked to Las Vegas MLS expansion efforts. His experience operating soccer clubs at the highest level in England gives him credibility that MLS values in prospective owners.

Local Business Consortiums

Several Las Vegas-based business groups have explored MLS bids, often in partnership with national sports investment firms. The city's gaming and hospitality industries provide a deep pool of potential investors with the financial resources and local connections needed to support a franchise.

MLS has emphasized that strong local ownership is critical for expansion success. The league wants owners who are invested in the community, not absentee operators who treat the franchise as a financial asset alone.

Stadium Considerations

The stadium question is central to any Las Vegas MLS bid. MLS has made it clear that soccer-specific stadiums are strongly preferred for new teams, though exceptions have been made (NYCFC played at Yankee Stadium for years before breaking ground on their own venue).

Potential Stadium Options

  • New soccer-specific stadium: The preferred option. A purpose-built venue in the 20,000-25,000 seat range would give a Las Vegas MLS team the intimate atmosphere that makes MLS match days compelling. Potential sites have been discussed in downtown Las Vegas, the Summerlin area, and near the Las Vegas Strip.

  • Allegiant Stadium: The 65,000-seat home of the Raiders could theoretically host MLS matches, but the venue is far too large for typical MLS attendance. Playing in a stadium that is two-thirds empty would create a poor atmosphere and visual. However, Allegiant could serve as a venue for marquee matches like the MLS All-Star Game.

  • Cashman Field area: The site of the former minor league baseball stadium has been discussed as a potential location for a soccer-specific venue. Its proximity to downtown and the Fremont Street area would provide good accessibility.

Climate Challenges

Las Vegas summers routinely see temperatures above 110 degrees Fahrenheit. This presents a real challenge for outdoor soccer. Potential solutions include:

  • Scheduling adjustments: Playing most home matches in the evening, when temperatures drop to more manageable levels.
  • Retractable roof or shade structures: A stadium with a retractable roof would solve the heat problem entirely, though it would significantly increase construction costs. Partial shade structures could reduce direct sun exposure without the full expense of a retractable roof.
  • Seasonal scheduling: MLS's regular season runs from late February through October. The most extreme heat (June through August) coincides with roughly one-third of the season. Strategic road scheduling during peak summer could reduce the number of home matches played in extreme heat.

Houston's Shell Energy Stadium and FC Dallas's Toyota Stadium in Frisco both deal with extreme heat during summer months, providing precedent for MLS clubs in hot-weather markets.

Timeline and Expansion Fee

MLS has not officially announced Las Vegas as an expansion market, but the city has been consistently mentioned in league communications about future growth. The timeline depends on several factors:

  • Ownership finalization: MLS needs to approve an ownership group that meets its financial and operational standards.
  • Stadium commitment: A concrete stadium plan with secured funding and an identified site is typically required before MLS awards an expansion franchise.
  • League readiness: MLS is methodically growing toward a target of 30-36 teams. The pace of expansion depends on finding the right combination of market, ownership, and stadium in each new city.

The expansion fee for Las Vegas would likely exceed $400 million, based on recent expansion awards. When combined with stadium construction costs of $300-500 million, the total investment for a Las Vegas MLS franchise could approach $1 billion.

Competition from Other Markets

Las Vegas is not the only city vying for MLS expansion. Other markets in consideration include Phoenix, San Diego, Indianapolis, Detroit, and Tampa Bay. Each has its own strengths:

  • Phoenix: Large, fast-growing metro area with an established USL Championship club (Phoenix Rising FC). See our coverage of MLS expansion to Phoenix.
  • San Diego: Another major market with strong soccer interest and a large Hispanic population.
  • Detroit: A passionate sports city with a billionaire ownership group (the Ford family) and a potential downtown stadium site.

MLS is likely to award expansion to multiple markets over the coming years, so Las Vegas does not necessarily compete directly against these cities. But the quality of each bid influences the league's prioritization.

What a Las Vegas MLS Team Would Look Like

Based on how recent expansion teams have been structured, a Las Vegas MLS club would likely:

  • Invest heavily in Designated Players to create immediate on-field excitement. The DP rule allows expansion teams to sign marquee players who draw fans and media attention.
  • Build a strong academy pipeline connected to the local youth soccer community. The Las Vegas area has a growing youth soccer infrastructure that could feed talent into a professional club.
  • Leverage the city's entertainment brand for marketing, match-day experience, and corporate sponsorship. A Las Vegas MLS team would have natural advantages in creating a premium game-day atmosphere.
  • Target strategic rivalries with LAFC, LA Galaxy, and potentially a future Phoenix team to create compelling regional matchups.

The Bottom Line

Las Vegas represents one of the most intriguing expansion opportunities in MLS history. The city's proven appetite for professional sports, tourism-driven attendance potential, favorable demographics, and growing population all point toward a viable franchise. The key hurdles -- ownership, stadium, and climate -- are significant but not insurmountable.

When MLS does expand to Las Vegas, it will mark another milestone in the league's evolution from a niche startup to a major American sports property. For the full story of that evolution, see our guide to MLS expansion and the history of expansion teams.