Las Vegas News Round Up (March & April 2025)
March in Las Vegas brought a little bit of everything. Wynn surprised its longest-serving employees with $10K in stock. NASCAR rolled through. March Madness took over sportsbooks. St. Patrick’s Day crowds spilled onto the Strip. And a few big announcements gave a glimpse at what’s coming next, including Lisa Vanderpump’s first hotel and an AI-powered stay near Allegiant Stadium.
Here’s a deeper look at the recent Las Vegas headlines.
Wynn Resorts Thanks “Day One” Employees With $10K in Stock
To mark 20 years on the Strip, Wynn Resorts surprised its original employees with a generous gesture.
$10,000 in company stock.
Employees that that been around for less than 4 years received $1,500, 5-9 years received 3,000, 10 to 14 years received $5,000 and 15-19 years received $7,000.
The gifts were handed out during a celebration at Allegiant Stadium.
Pitbull headlined the event, which hosted 5,000 employees, complete with champagne, swag bags, and a rare display of corporate appreciation in a city known more for spectacle than sentiment.
As well as the $10,000 in company stock, the day one employees could also choose from a great range of gifts, which you can see in the image below.
Harry Reid Airport Holds Its Ground
Harry Reid International keeps proving it’s one of the hardest-working airports in the world. It finished 2023 ranked fifth globally for aircraft movements. That means for takeoffs and landings, LAS now holds onto a top-five spot for the third year in a row.
March was a perfect example of why. Spring break, March Madness, and NASCAR weekend were the talk of the city. We’ll talk more about these events later, but they made sure the planes were packed.
According to the airport, March alone saw nearly 50,000 flights in and out of Las Vegas. And that’s not even counting the private jets flooding in for big events or F1 later this year.
It’s another reminder: Vegas isn’t just a tourist city. It’s a travel machine.
Here’s an apt photo of The Sphere eyeballing a plane taking off.
The Cromwell Will Become The Vanderpump Hotel
Lisa Vanderpump is putting her name on a hotel.
The Cromwell will be rebranded as The Vanderpump Hotel, with renovations starting soon. The planned reopening is in early 2026. The revamp will bring redesigned rooms, a new lounge, a fresh look for the casino floor, and a themed reception space. GIADA, Drai’s, and the sportsbook remain open for now, but it’s unclear whether they’ll stick around post-transformation.
In a press release, Sean McBurney of Caesars Entertainment said “Sexy elegance and comfort” will be at the heart of the redesign.
NASCAR, March Madness & St. Patrick’s Day Came To Town
March brought three things Vegas does well.
That’s racing, basketball, and day drinking.
NASCAR Weekend took over Las Vegas Motor Speedway from March 14–16, with the Pennzoil 400 pulling in around 80,000 fans. The hauler parade shut down parts of the Strip, but the event pumped an estimated $50 million into the local economy.
At the same time, March Madness had sportsbooks packed all over town. Early estimates put the first week’s betting handle close to $500 million statewide, with spots like Westgate and Fontainebleau packed wall-to-wall for the opening rounds.
And then, there was St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. O’Sheas and Nine Fine Irishmen at New York-New York led the charge, with patios packed and green beer flowing well into the night.
Pool Season Showed Up Early
March didn’t just bring the crowds, it brought the heat and pool season with it.
Unseasonably warm weather hit Vegas by mid-March, with daytime temps climbing into the mid-70s and higher. That was more than enough to kick off pool season early, especially with spring break in full swing.
Encore Beach Club was one of the first to open, with Tiësto on March 15. Dayclubs were packed early. Hotel pools were busy before noon. And a lot of visitors seemed way more interested in pool parties than poker tables.
If March was any sign, it’s going to be a busy pool season in Vegas this year.
Formula 1 Fan Zone Debuts & Tickets Go On Sale For The Grand Prix
The Grand Prix Plaza is now home to North America’s largest immersive Formula 1 attraction.
The venue opened on March 29 with interactive exhibits, karting, and a flagship F1 store, giving fans a year-round place to engage with the sport beyond November’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.
If you’re visiting Las Vegas for the 2025 Formula 1 Grand Prix, you’ll definitely want to check out the Fan Zone.
Formula 1 also announced additional ticket details for the 2025 race weekend.
This year, the cheapest single-day tickets will start at $50, with a three-day ticket starting at $400.
These prices are considerably cheaper than previous years. If you’re interested in attending, we have some great hotel deals for the 2025 F1 Grand Prix.
An AI Hotel Is Coming To Vegas
A new hotel near Allegiant Stadium is leaning all-in on tech.
Otonomus Hotel, set to open in the summer of 2025, started taking reservations on March 25 for stays starting July 1. Rates start at $325 a night. The hook might sound a little creepy.
Every room comes with access to Kee, an app that learns your habits, from how you take your coffee to how often you want fresh towels.
It’s a glimpse at what hotel stays might look like in the future. But not everyone’s sold on the idea. Some UNLV experts have already raised the question for how much data are guests really willing to give up for convenience.
March Was A Preview Of What’s To Come
Vegas always finds a way to stay busy and March felt like a preview of what’s coming next.
Big events are still bringing big crowds. But the way people do Vegas keeps changing. The pool season’s starting earlier. Dayclubs are packed before noon. And new projects, from AI hotels to Formula 1 fan zones, are all betting on visitors wanting more than just gambling.
If March was any indication, this is going to be a very busy year in Las Vegas.
