January Sports in Las Vegas: Golden Knights Home Games, Raiders Finale, UFC 324

^{The Las Vegas Raiders' football season comes to an end in January with one final home game that will determine whether they clutch the number one draft pick for next season. (Photo: Malachi Gabriel / Alamy)}

LAS VEGAS — January is a quieter month on the sports calendar in Las Vegas. While the NHL season continues, the local NFL team’s season will end before the playoffs.

It was a disappointing year for both local football teams. In addition to the Raiders missing the mark to make it to the playoffs, UNLV lost the Frisco Bowl to Ohio University, 17-10 despite being a 6.5-point favorite.

The final college football game of the season in Las Vegas took place on New Year’s Eve, when Nebraska defeated Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl.

January’s limited sports schedule is also lighter overall with many combat sports events taking place on the same night.

The Raiders Season Comes to an End

It has been a miserable season for the Las Vegas Raiders franchise. The season comes to an end this month with one final game against a longtime rival at Allegiant Stadium.

The Kansas City Chiefs make their annual visit to Las Vegas to face the Raiders on Jan. 4.

The Raiders are in position for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft. That outcome became more likely after the team placed its best player, Maxx Crosby, on injured reserve. Many Raiders fans are quietly rooting for the team to lose their last game to secure that pick so they can look forward to the future.

It also was a disappointing year for the Chiefs. They lost quarterback Patrick Mahomes to injury and will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

Golden Knights Take Center Stage

Despite a slow December, the Vegas Golden Knights remain near the top of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference. Their January home schedule includes a mix of Western Conference opponents and teams visiting from the Eastern Conference.

Several games include special ticket promotions. Fans who purchase tickets online directly from the team will receive limited-edition merchandise depending on the game:

• Jan. 8 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets: Limited-edition VGK x Elvis bobblehead
• Jan. 10 vs. St. Louis Blues: Limited-edition VGK law enforcement appreciation jersey
• Jan. 15 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
• Jan. 17 vs. Nashville Predators: Limited-edition VGK fire and rescue appreciation jersey
• Jan. 19 vs. Philadelphia Flyers: Limited-edition VGK hockey glove backpack
• Jan. 29 vs. Dallas Stars: Limited-edition VGK x Hello Kitty plush
• Jan. 31 vs. Seattle Kraken

A limited-edition Elvis Golden Knight bobblehead is part of a January 8 ticket promotion as the Vegas team hosts the Columbus Blue Jackets at T-Mobile Arena. (Photo: courtesy of NHL)

Look ahead: February will be light for the Golden Knights, as the NHL season pauses for most of the month for players to participate in the Olympics for their home countries. 

UFC 324

UFC 324 takes place at T-Mobile Arena on Jan. 24 and features a championship doubleheader.

Justin Gaethje faces Paddy Pimblett of the United Kingdom for the interim lightweight title in the main event. In the co-main event, Kayla Harrison defends her title against former champion and Hall of Famer Amanda Nunes, who returns after a brief retirement.

As usual, the card is stacked with 13 matches starting at 2 p.m.

Matchroom Boxing 

Matchroom Boxing is a smaller promotion focused on younger fighters and intimate venues around the world. Its first January card, featuring five fights, takes place at Fontainebleau on Jan. 24.

As they say in combat sports: someone’s zero has to go! The main event features undefeated Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz challenging for his first World Title against reigning IBF Lightweight champ Raymond Muratalla, who’s 23-0 with 17 knockouts.

Visit Matchroom Boxing for more information and other matches.