History of T-Mobile Arena in Timeline

T-Mobile Arena, located in Paradise, Nevada, opened in April 2016. A joint venture between MGM Resorts International and AEG, it sits on the Las Vegas Strip and serves as the home of the Vegas Golden Knights (NHL). Often called "The Fortress", it is a multi-purpose indoor arena used for a variety of events.

2007: AEG Announces Arena Plans with Harrah's

In 2007, Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) and Harrah's Entertainment announced plans to build a 20,000-seat stadium behind the Bally's and Paris casino-hotels in Las Vegas.

June 2008: Original Groundbreaking Plans

The original plans for the AEG and Harrah's arena project was to break ground in June 2008 and finish construction in 2010, but the project stalled due to financial concerns and lack of a guaranteed franchise.

2009: Stalled Project Revealed

By 2009, it was revealed that the arena project hadn't even performed a traffic study, despite its location near a busy intersection, indicating that the project was stalled.

2010: Plans Changed to Imperial Palace Area

In 2010, the arena plans were changed to use an area behind the Imperial Palace; however, the need for a special taxation district and opposition from Clark County stalled the project further.

2012: AEG Backs Out

AEG backed out of the arena project completely by 2012, after MGM Resorts International proposed their own project using a terrain behind the New York-New York and Monte Carlo resorts.

March 1, 2013: MGM and AEG Announce Joint Arena Plan

On March 1, 2013, MGM and AEG announced their joint plan to build an arena, with further plans including a $100-million pedestrian shopping area called The Park and the retention of Populous as the architecture firm.

May 1, 2014: Project Breaks Ground

On May 1, 2014, the T-Mobile Arena project broke ground, which was followed by the demolition of existing buildings and excavation of an oval area for the arena.

May 27, 2015: Final Steel Beam Placed

On May 27, 2015, the final steel beam of the T-Mobile Arena structure was placed, marking a significant milestone in the arena's construction.

January 2016: T-Mobile Acquires Naming Rights

In January 2016, T-Mobile US announced it had acquired the naming rights to the new arena through a multi-year contract, leading to the name T-Mobile Arena.

March 31, 2016: Soft Opening Concert

On March 31, 2016, T-Mobile Arena held a soft opening concert featuring country music artists Martina McBride and Cam.

April 6, 2016: T-Mobile Arena Opens

On April 6, 2016, T-Mobile Arena officially opened in Paradise, Nevada. It became the home arena for the Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL and is a joint venture between MGM Resorts International and Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG).

June 2016: WWE Money in the Bank

In June 2016, T-Mobile Arena hosted its first professional wrestling event, WWE's Money in the Bank pay-per-view.

June 22, 2016: NHL Approves Expansion Team

On June 22, 2016, the NHL approved an expansion team for Las Vegas, with T-Mobile Arena as its home. The new team, the Vegas Golden Knights, began play in the 2017–18 season.

July 9, 2016: UFC 200: Tate vs. Nunes

On July 9, 2016, T-Mobile Arena hosted its first Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event, UFC 200: Tate vs. Nunes.

September 2016: Bill Foley Buys Stake in Arena

In September 2016, Bill Foley exercised his option to buy a 15 percent interest in T-Mobile Arena from MGM and AEG for around $35 million, as part of the team's lease agreement.

December 2016: UNLV vs Duke Game

In December 2016, the UNLV men's basketball team played a game against Duke at T-Mobile Arena, which they lost.

2016: PBR World Finals Move to T-Mobile Arena

In 2016, the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) World Finals moved to T-Mobile Arena from the Thomas & Mack Center.

March 2017: UFC Signs Agreement

In March 2017, the UFC signed a seven-year agreement to become an official tenant of T-Mobile Arena, committing to host at least four events per year.

November 2017: UNLV Defeats Rice and Utah

In November 2017, the UNLV Runnin' Rebels defeated Rice and Utah in successive basketball games at T-Mobile Arena.

2017: Boxing Matches Held at Arena

In 2017, T-Mobile Arena hosted major sporting events including boxing matches such as Canelo Álvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin and Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor.

2017: UFC Signs Tenancy Agreement

In 2017, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) signed a long-term tenancy agreement with T-Mobile Arena, agreeing to host four events per year for the next seven years.

2017: Vegas Golden Knights Begin Play

In 2017, the Vegas Golden Knights began playing at the T-Mobile Arena after the expansion bid was approved by the NHL on June 22, 2016.

November 2018: UNLV Defeats BYU

In November 2018, the UNLV Runnin' Rebels defeated BYU in a basketball game held at T-Mobile Arena.

2018: Stanley Cup Final Games

In 2018, T-Mobile Arena hosted three games of the Stanley Cup Final between the Golden Knights and the Washington Capitals, including the cup-clinching fifth game on the Golden Knight's home ice.

2019: PBR World Finals at T-Mobile Arena

The PBR World Finals were held at T-Mobile Arena in 2019 as they had been since 2016.

2021: PBR World Finals at T-Mobile Arena

The PBR World Finals were held at T-Mobile Arena again in 2021.

2022: AEW Double or Nothing Debut

In 2022, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) made its debut at T-Mobile Arena with Double or Nothing, which was the promotion's first event to exceed $1 million in gate revenue.

2022: PBR Team Series Championship at T-Mobile Arena

Since 2022, T-Mobile Arena became home to the PBR Team Series Championship.

June 13, 2023: Golden Knights Win Stanley Cup

On June 13, 2023, T-Mobile Arena hosted Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Golden Knights and the Florida Panthers, culminating in a series-clinching 9-3 win for the Golden Knights.

September 10, 2023: Las Vegas Aces First Game at T-Mobile Arena

On September 10, 2023, the Las Vegas Aces played their first game at T-Mobile Arena, drawing 17,406 spectators against the Phoenix Mercury.

2023: NBA In-Season Tournament Semifinals and Final

In 2023, the semifinals and final game of the NBA In-Season Tournament were held at T-Mobile Arena.

2024: NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena

The 2024 NBA Cup was held at T-Mobile Arena.

2024: Las Vegas Aces Regular Season Games

Two Las Vegas Aces regular season games were played at T-Mobile Arena in 2024.

2025: Las Vegas Aces Regular Season Games

Four Las Vegas Aces regular season games will be played at T-Mobile Arena in 2025.

2025: WrestleMania 41 Support Events

In 2025, T-Mobile Arena is set to host multiple support events for WrestleMania 41, including the pre-WrestleMania edition of SmackDown and NXT's Stand & Deliver.