Canelo-Crawford Fight Tops Big September for Sports in Las Vegas

^{Canelo Álvarez faces off against Terence “Bud” Crawford (with Din a historic bout at Allegiant Stadium. (That's Dana White in the background.) The fight is set to break Las Vegas’ boxing attendance record. (Image: John Locher / AP)}

LAS VEGAS — September marks one of the busiest months on the Las Vegas sports calendar, with the return of NFL football and one of the most anticipated boxing matches in decades.

There’s nothing like fight night in Las Vegas. The energy throughout the city is only matched by special events such as New Year’s Eve on the Strip. 

The marquee battle is Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence “Bud” Crawford on Sept. 13 at Allegiant Stadium. The Strip should be electric. The fight is expected to draw more than 65,000 fans, breaking the all-time Las Vegas boxing attendance record, set in 1982 when Larry Holmes fought Gerry Cooney before 29,214 fans at Caesars Palace.

Meanwhile, the Raiders and UNLV football return to the field also at Allegiant Stadium, the Las Vegas Aces wrap up the WNBA regular season, and the Golden Knights prepare for another NHL campaign.

Canelo vs. Crawford Set to Shatter Attendance Record 

Las Vegas has long been synonymous with fight nights, but major boxing cards have become rare in recent years. That changes in September.

Both fighters are multi-division champions and among the top pound-for-pound boxers today. Crawford is undefeated and moving up in weight to challenge Alvarez for his WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO titles.

Netflix’s new Countdown: Canelo vs. Crawford docuseries, being released Sept. 4, offers fans unprecedented access to both fighters’ camps in the lead‑up to their showdown, which will be livestreamed on Netflix. 

If Crawford wins, he would become the first boxer in history to be a three-division undisputed champion in the four-belt era. With a victory, Alvarez would continue his march as one of the greatest multi-division champions ever.

In Vegas boxing terms, this puts the fight on par with Mayweather-Pacquiao (2015), Hagler-Hearns (1985), and every Mike Tyson main event in Las Vegas (1986-1997). 

In boxing media terms, it shows Netflix making further strides in their effort to disrupt the traditional pay-per-view model that has subsisted here for decades. 

Football Returns to Allegiant Stadium

The NFL season kicks off this month, with the Raiders playing on the road before returning to Allegiant Stadium for their home opener under Monday Night Football lights.

• Sept. 15: vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 7 pm
• Sept. 28: vs. Chicago Bears, 1:25 pm

College football also takes center stage. The UNLV Rebels, fresh off their first bowl win since 2000, host UCLA on Sept. 6 at Allegiant Stadium.

Las Vegas Aces Close Out Regular Season

The reigning WNBA champions are closing out the regular season at T-Mobile Arena, not their usual home at Michelob Ultra Arena in Mandalay Bay. (Seating capacity at Michelob Ultra is 12,000, compared to 18,000 at T-Mobile.)

• Sept. 4: vs. Minnesota Lynx, 7 pm
• Sept. 7: vs. Chicago Sky, 6 pm
• Sept. 9: vs. Chicago Sky, 7 pm

The playoffs begin Sept. 14, with matchups determined after the end regular-season games. The Aces clinched their spot in the postseason a little more than a week ago, marking their seventh consecutive year in the hunt for a WNBA championship. 

Golden Knights Prepare for New Season

The NHL season doesn’t officially start until October, but the Golden Knights return to the ice with two September home preseason games:

• Sept. 23: vs. Los Angeles Kings, 7 pm
• Sept. 25: vs. Utah Mammoth, 7 pm

They will continue preseason play into October before opening the regular season Oct. 8 against the Kings.

More Combat Sports in September

The Canelo-Crawford fight isn’t the only action in town. Fight week also features The Underdog, a new boxing series launching Sept. 11 at Fontainebleau with five bouts showcasing up-and-coming talent.

The Box Fan Expo returns Sept. 13 to the Las Vegas Convention Center, with appearances by legends like Thomas Hearns, Roy Jones Jr. and Shane Mosley. Fans can meet fighters, collect autographs and browse exclusive memorabilia.

For MMA fans, while the UFC is idle in Las Vegas this month, two other promotions are on deck:

• Sept. 20: Borroka MMA’s XFC 53 at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
• Sept. 27: Arena Wars Fighting Series: Night of Champions at The Orleans