While many visitors come to Las Vegas for casinos, clubs, and nightlife, others come for major concerts, combat sports, awards shows, and special events. Las Vegas has plenty of arenas and theaters, but few are as closely tied to classic Vegas entertainment as MGM Grand Garden Arena.
For more than 30 years, the arena has hosted major boxing matches, UFC cards, superstar concerts, awards shows, and televised entertainment events. It remains one of the most important event venues on the Las Vegas Strip.
Catching a show at MGM Grand Garden Arena soon? Here’s what to know about the venue, seating, bag policy, prohibited items, parking, accessibility, and event-day tips.
What is the MGM Grand Garden Arena?
The MGM Grand Garden Arena is a multi-purpose entertainment venue located inside MGM Grand at 3799 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109.
The arena opened in 1993 and has since hosted some of Las Vegas’ biggest concerts, boxing events, UFC fights, awards shows, and live entertainment productions. Its location inside MGM Grand makes it especially convenient for visitors staying on the south end of the Strip.
Because the arena is inside a major resort, it is easy to combine an event with dinner, gambling, nightlife, or a hotel stay. It is also close to other south Strip properties like New York-New York, Park MGM, Excalibur, Tropicana Avenue, and the Las Vegas Monorail station at MGM Grand.
What Kinds of Events are Held in the MGM Grand Arena?
MGM Grand Garden Arena is flexible enough to host many types of events. It can be configured for concerts, boxing, mixed martial arts, awards shows, basketball, hockey-style events, and large special productions.
Historically, the arena has been one of Las Vegas’ most famous boxing venues. It hosted major fights such as Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao in 2015 and many high-profile UFC events. It has also hosted concerts from major artists and major televised events like the Latin Grammy Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, and the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in 2022.
Today, the venue still appears on Las Vegas event calendars for major touring artists, sports events, and large entertainment productions.
MGM Grand Arena Seating Capacity
MGM Grand Garden Arena is generally described as a 17,000-seat venue, although the exact capacity depends on the event layout, stage setup, floor configuration, and whether the event uses general admission or reserved seating.
For concerts, the floor may be standing-room general admission or reserved seating. For boxing and combat sports, the layout usually focuses on the central ring or cage with lower-bowl and upper-bowl seating around it. Award shows and special events may use more customized staging.
Premium Loge Seating is available for select events. These semi-private premium seats offer extra-wide layouts, a banquette area, a drink ledge, and dedicated in-seat service.
Accessible seating is available, and guests who need accessible accommodations should contact the Box Office or AXS before the event. MGM Grand Garden Arena also offers assistive listening devices at the main Guest Service Center after security screening, and sensory kits may be available at Guest Services for guests with sensory needs.
Service animals are permitted for guests with disabilities. Pets and emotional-support animals are not treated the same as service animals and should not be brought to the arena.
What is the MGM Grand Arena Bag Policy?
MGM Grand Garden Arena has a strict bag policy. Backpacks and large bags are not permitted inside the venue.
Small personal bags are allowed only if they do not exceed 12” x 12” x 6”. Bags do not need to be clear. Fanny packs, crossbody bags, and clear stadium bags are also permitted as long as they stay within the same 12” x 12” x 6” maximum size. Bag straps are not included in the measurement.
This policy applies even if you are staying at MGM Grand. If your bag is too large, you may be turned away at security and asked to leave it in your room, vehicle, or another safe location.
Do not count on a bag check at the arena. The safest plan is to bring only essentials in a small personal bag that fits the policy.
What Else Isn’t Allowed Inside the Arena?
The arena’s policies do not stop at bags. MGM Grand Garden Arena also prohibits many items for safety, security, and guest experience reasons.
Common prohibited items include:
- Backpacks and large bags
- Outside food, beverages, alcohol, cans, bottles, flasks, and empty containers
- Professional cameras with detachable lenses or external flash
- Audio or video recording devices, including GoPro-style devices
- Selfie sticks, tripods, and monopods
- Laptops, tablets, personal computers, and two-way radios
- Weapons, firearms, knives, pepper spray, mace, stun guns, and similar items
- Illegal drugs or substances
- Masks not intended for health and safety purposes
- Electronic cigarettes, vapes, smokeless tobacco, tobacco, and cannabis products
Security screening is required for entry. Guests who decline to be searched may be denied entry or removed from the venue.
Re-entry is not permitted, so make sure you have everything you need before going inside.
MGM Grand Arena Parking
Parking for MGM Grand Garden Arena events is available at MGM Grand, and prepaid event parking may be offered through ParkMobile for select events.
MGM Grand follows MGM Resorts’ Las Vegas parking policy. Registered hotel guests pay the applicable daily parking rate and receive in-and-out privileges within the same parking type at MGM Resorts Las Vegas destinations during the same 24-hour period, subject to availability. Hotel guests can use their room key to access parking facilities until 11:59 pm on the day of checkout.
For non-hotel guests, current MGM Resorts self-parking rates are $20 Monday through Thursday and $25 Friday through Sunday for 0 to 24 hours. Registered hotel guests currently pay $20 daily for self-parking. Valet parking is currently $40 daily.
Nevada residents can receive the first 3 hours of self-parking free with a valid Nevada driver’s license, except during special events. To receive this benefit, scan the Nevada driver’s license at the exit gate. If you use a Self-Parking Pay on Foot kiosk, you may not receive the complimentary local parking benefit.
MGM Rewards Pearl, Gold, Platinum, and NOIR members receive complimentary self-parking, subject to availability. Gold, Platinum, and NOIR members receive complimentary valet parking, subject to availability. MGM Rewards Mastercard cardholders may also receive complimentary self-parking.
Parking fees may be higher during special events, and event parking can sell out. If you are attending a major concert or fight, arrive early or reserve parking in advance when available.
Tips for Attending an Event at MGM Grand Garden Arena
- Use mobile tickets: Tickets are usually handled through official outlets such as MGM Grand Garden Arena, AXS, MGM Resorts ticket offices, or other authorized sellers.
- Arrive early: Security screening, parking, and walking through MGM Grand can take longer than expected on major event nights.
- Travel light: A small bag under 12” x 12” x 6” is the safest choice. Avoid backpacks entirely.
- Check your event page: Some events may have additional rules, modified seating, or stricter entry requirements.
- Plan food and drinks before the show: MGM Grand has many restaurants and bars, but they can get busy before major events.
- Do not leave during the event: Re-entry is not allowed.
- Use rideshare or the Monorail if parking is a concern: The Las Vegas Monorail stops at MGM Grand, and rideshare can be easier than driving during major events.
Conclusion
MGM Grand Garden Arena is more than just another event venue. It is one of the most important arenas in Las Vegas entertainment history, with a long record of major fights, superstar concerts, awards shows, and unforgettable live events.
If you are seeing a concert, boxing match, UFC event, or special production there, the main things to remember are simple: check your event time, bring a small bag only, avoid prohibited items, plan parking in advance, and arrive earlier than you think you need to.
With the right planning, MGM Grand Garden Arena remains one of the easiest and most exciting places to watch a major Las Vegas event.