Where to Watch March Madness in Las Vegas: Free Parties, Pool Decks, and VIP Seats

^{The Westgate Superbook has long been the rowdiest sportsbook during March Madness (Photo: courtesy of Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority)}

At Las Vegas sportsbooks, demand has always been high for March Madness. Legend has it that bettors once paid people to sleep in sportsbooks to secure seats for early tip-offs.

The first weekend of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament is March 19-22, featuring 48 games over four days. Sixteen games are played on each of the first two days, followed by eight on each of the final two days.

These four days are among the busiest of the year for sports fans and bettors in Las Vegas. By visitor volume and wagering, the only comparable stretch is Super Bowl weekend.

Interest has not waned, but sportsbooks have changed. Spending the night is no longer allowed, and watching the first weekend of March Madness now mirrors the Super Bowl experience.

But one major difference is that March Madness lasts four days instead of one, meaning visitors must pay for watch parties or reserved seating each day.

Despite concerns about high prices, there is no sign that visitors are shifting their college basketball trips to the week before the tournament, when room rates are lower, and there are hundreds of games to wager on, along with four conference championships to watch live.

If parties and reserved seats are not appealing, visitors can wander through casinos on the Strip and downtown to find bars showing the games. A seat at the bar typically requires purchasing drinks or playing video poker, keno, or slot machines while watching.

Below are options for securing a seat for the games. As usual, casinos on the Strip charge more than those away from the main tourist corridor.

Free Watch Parties Around Las Vegas

Nearly every casino hosts watch parties. Like the Super Bowl, options range from free entry to packages that cost five figures.

Several casinos still offer inexpensive or free viewing options, but the tradeoff for the price is location. Most are five to 20 minutes from the Strip, and they fill quickly.

Free March Madness watch parties operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reserved seats. They are solid options for large groups who want to sit together and don’t mind watching games in a casino ballroom.

Circa Resort & Casino offers multiple viewing options, from the world’s largest sportsbook to its outdoor pool complex, Stadium Swim. Those experiences come at a price, but the free party in the Galaxy Ballroom is a great way to watch the games at one of the most popular downtown Las Vegas casinos.

Circa’s sister property, The D Las Vegas, also hosts a free watch party in the Detroit Ballroom on the 12th floor.

South Point Hotel Casino & Spa, about 20 minutes from Mandalay Bay, hosts a free March Madness party each year. The party is a favorite among locals and features reasonably priced food and drinks.

About five minutes west of the Strip along Flamingo Road, Gold Coast Hotel and Casino, Palms Casino Resort, and Rio Hotel & Casino all offer free watch parties. 

The Palms event doubles as a poolside viewing party with free entry, but seating is first-come, first-served. Gold Coast also sells reserved seats for $90 per day.

For downtown options, Golden Nugget Las Vegas hosts a free watch party in the Grand Events Center foyer. A VIP option costs more than $300 per day.

Poolside Viewing Parties

For visitors who want to enjoy basketball poolside, several casinos offer pool parties during the tournament.

Palms offers the only free-entry March Madness pool party, but there are many paid options for guests who don’t mind paying to reserve space.

At Circa’s Stadium Swim, general admission starts at $29.50 per day. Daybeds for up to six guests require a minimum spend of $400 to $750, while cabanas for up to 14 guests require a minimum spend of $1,000 to $3,000 per day.

The Pool at Sahara Las Vegas (formerly Azilo Pool) requires reservations at relatively moderate prices. While it’s a smaller pool area than Stadium Swim, it’s directly on the Strip. 

Seating for two starts with a $43 daily minimum spend, and couches for up to eight start at $216 per day.

Nobody likes fees, but minimum spend requirements ensure you’re getting food and drinks, not just paying for the right to have a seat. 

Reserved Sportsbook Seats and VIP Packages

There is nothing like watching March Madness in a large Las Vegas sportsbook. Most seats at Strip casino sportsbooks are reserved for high rollers or guests willing to pay. 

Unlike the Super Bowl crowd, the crowd skews younger and can be more rowdy.

The video above is from the Westgate SuperBook, which is always packed during March Madness. Individual seats are available for $200 per day on Saturday and Sunday and include two drink tickets. Tables for four start with a $1,000 minimum spend per day.

Reserved seats at the popular Caesars Palace sportsbook start at $700 per day before fees. High rollers should check with a host about comps or discounts. Guests willing to arrive early may be able to secure a bar seat for the cost of drinks or by gambling.

Other Caesars-operated sportsbooks offer slightly cheaper reserved seating, though prices remain high during the opening weekend.

A more affordable option is to head off the Strip to properties such as Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa, which typically offer more accessible general admission seating.