The Mountain West Conference may be the youngest such conference in the NCAA Division I FBS, but it certainly packs a powerful punch. Part of the appeal of following these teams isn’t just that you get to watch some first-rate college sports but that, if you attend games, you also get to visit one of America’s most beautiful regions. In Colorado, California, and Utah alone, you’ll find some of the country’s best cities, towns, and, of course, natural landscapes.

Yes, for sure, a trip to see a Mountain West Conference is about more than just the sporting action. The whole trip can be fun and exciting. In this blog, we’re taking a closer look at attending a UNVL Rebels game, specifically a game of their most decorated team, the Runnin’ Rebels. Here’s what you need to know. 

Getting Tickets

UNLV Runnin’ Rebels play their home games at the on-campus Thomas & Mack Center. With a capacity of around 18,000 for basketball games, it’s best to buy your tickets as soon as you know that you want to attend a game. This is especially the case if that game is against UCLA, the team’s biggest rival. You can usually get tickets for games against lower-ranked teams relatively easily, but the best-value tickets do get snapped up pretty quickly. 

The Game Experience

The game day experience is about much more than just the game itself. To get the most from your trip, it’s best to get to the arena a couple of hours before tip-off. That’ll allow you to enjoy the Runnin’ Rebel Fest, the go-to option for Rebels fans on game day. It’s an extravaganza of food, games, giveaways, and live entertainment. You’ll also be able to swing by the team’s store to get yourself some branded swag, which you can then wear to the game. If you’re attending a ladies’ game, then make sure you’re still there afterwards when the players stick around to take photographs and sign autographs for fans. 

to Stay and What to Do

You can do more than just catch the sporting action on your trip, too. Las Vegas has tons of activities and attractions to offer its visitors, so there’ll be no shortage of exciting things to do during your visit. Indeed, book yourself into a hotel on the Strip, and you’ll have all of Sin City on your doorstep. 

From there, you’ll be able to catch the shows, see the sights, and, of course, try to win big in the casinos. If you’ve never been to a casino before, then don’t worry: you don’t need to know the origins of gambling or be an expert card player to have a good time. Simply sit down at a quiet table and ask the dealer to show you how to play. A trip to the nearby Grand Canyon is also well worth your time, as is a trip to see one of the many Las Vegas shows, which are among the best shows in the world. 

Other UNLV Rebels Games

The UNLV Runnin’ Rebels may be the UNLV’s most successful team, but they’re not the only college team around! The Hustlin’ Rebels, a baseball team, have had some famous players over the years, so if you’re visiting Vegas during Spring, try to check out one of their games. UNLV’s football team isn’t quite as successful as their basketball and baseball counterparts, but their games are still fun and exciting. If you can, try to attend a game against the team’s main rivals, the University of Nevada, Reno. They compete each year in the ‘Battle of Nevada’ game.