Raiders, Golden Knights and NASCAR Take Over Las Vegas This October

_{Mitch Marner skates up the ice at T-Mobile Arena during a recent preseason win against the Utah Mammoth (Photo courtesy of NHL)} 

Until the Las Vegas A's begin play in 2028, this is a fall and winter sports town. The NFL and NHL take over the Las Vegas sports calendar for the next few months.

The unbeaten Las Vegas Raiders have three home games at Allegiant Stadium while the Vegas Golden Knights play eight games at T-Mobile Arena. Raiders games always draw visiting fans, but the same can't be said for the Golden Knights, who usually have a great home-ice advantage. That could change in October, with a few East Coast teams visiting for the only time this year. 

NASCAR also returns to Las Vegas for the second time in October, and it's kind of a big deal. The South Point 400 is the opening race of the Cup Series Round of 12.

The NBA continues its tradition of bringing preseason basketball to the Vegas Strip, and there are two smaller UFC cards in October, with one giving combat sports fans a chance to watch the fights before heading out to celebrate Halloween. 

Last but certainly not least, the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces may or may not continue their season in October, depending on how they fare versus the Indiana Fever in the first round of the playoffs. The Aces won Game 1 of the best-of-three series 102-85 on Sunday and visit the Fever in Game 2 on Tuesday. Las Vegas needs one more win to advance to the next round and can move on with a victory in Game 2 at Indiana or Game 3 back at Michelob ULTRA Arena on Thursday, October 1.

Raiders Dominate Las Vegas in October

The Raiders are playing three of their eight home games in October, starting with a huge AFC West divisional matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, as both teams enter the month undefeated. The team's first 3-0 start since 2021 could finally turn Allegiant Stadium into the Black Hole 2.0, full of loud, ravenous Raiders fans.

• Oct. 4 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
• Oct. 18 vs. Buffalo Bills
• Oct. 25 vs. Los Angeles Rams

Even though the Raiders are the local team, visiting fans routinely take over Allegiant Stadium . Early success could finally give Raiders fans a reason not to sell their tickets to tourists.

South Point 400 Kicks Off NASCAR Playoffs

The South Point 400 takes place Sunday, Oct. 4, at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, about 30 minutes from the Strip. This is the first leg of the NASCAR playoffs, and the second time the race series has come to Las Vegas this year.

Whatever the series, F1 or NASCAR, race weekend in Las Vegas is never just a single race. Practice and qualifying sessions for the South Point 400 take place on Saturday, Oct. 3. Fans who come out for those sessions are also treated to the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race.

Race weekend actually begins on Friday, Oct. 2, with three races for hardcore fans. Head to the South Point if you can't make the race. The title sponsor will have promotions and specials throughout the weekend.

Golden Knights Drop Puck on Regular Season

Technically, the NHL season started in late September. However, it's in full swing by October, and the Vegas Golden Knights have eight home games at T-Mobile Arena following their home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks on Sept. 29.

• Oct. 2 vs. Anaheim Ducks
• Oct. 8 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
• Oct. 10 vs. Los Angeles Kings
• Oct. 15 vs. Calgary Flames
• Oct. 17 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
• Oct. 20 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
• Oct. 27 vs. Ottawa Senators
• Oct. 30 vs. New Jersey Devils

Expect to see more visiting fans than usual for these games, with teams from the Eastern time zone visiting Las Vegas for the only time this season. You'll find plenty of fans in Maple Leafs and Penguins jerseys eating and drinking outside New York-New York at the indoor/outdoor Beerhaus.

Annual NBA Preseason Game in Vegas

Las Vegas has been hosting an NBA preseason game for nearly 40 years. That continues this year when the Golden State Warriors play the Los Angeles Lakers at T-Mobile Arena on Oct. 13.

Be advised that starters don't always play preseason games. Check the lineups on game day before buying tickets if you only want to see Luka or Steph.

As the league's expansion plans progress, Las Vegas could host preseason games for its own home team as soon as 2028. A decision on expansion should come at the end of the year.

Two UFC Fight Night Events

It wouldn't be a month without combat sports. MMA takes center stage with two UFC Fight Night cards at the Meta Apex, around 15 minutes west of Mandalay Bay. These are different from the numbered UFC cards that usually take place at T-Mobile Arena.

The smaller off-Strip cards are usually headlined by rising contenders, veterans, or divisional matchups rather than title fights. 

• Oct. 10: UFC Fight Night (Allen vs. Duncan)   
• Oct. 31: UFC Fight Night (Moicano vs. Nolan)

The Meta Apex could become a bigger tourist destination in the future. TKO, the owner of UFC, will likely expand its footprint in the next couple of years with a hotel, additional programming in the venue, and more.

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