Allegiant Stadium Gameday, Parking, and Tailgating: A Local’s Playbook

If you’re weighing whether to park in a Raiders-controlled lot or just walk over from Mandalay Bay, you’re already asking the right question. The way you get to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas sets the tone for your day. Lots for Raiders and UNLV games open 4 hours before kickoff, and the best tailgate spots go quickly. Stadium gates open 2 hours before Raiders kickoffs and 90 minutes before UNLV football, which is your second clock to plan around. From bag rules to the exact rideshare zone, here’s the practical, boots-on-concrete view fans use all season.

Where can you actually tailgate near the stadium?

Tailgating is permitted in designated Allegiant Stadium lots only. Onsite tailgate lots currently include Lots A, B, C, E, F, G, H, and J. Offsite options the stadium controls and allows for tailgating include Lots S, V, W, X and the Dewey Lot. The lots open 4 hours prior to kickoff for both Raiders and UNLV home games, and all lots must be cleared 1 hour after the event ends. If you want to park next to friends, line up and enter together; staff will direct vehicles to the next available stall on arrival.

Tailgating has boundaries. Your setup can extend only from the rear of your vehicle to the red-painted emergency line. Saving spaces is not allowed. Trailers and vehicles longer than 20 feet are prohibited, and there’s no re-entry if you leave a parking lot during the event window. All guests in the vehicle must have a ticket to the game or event, and overnight parking is not permitted.

Expect typical behavior rules to be enforced. Excessive or underage alcohol consumption isn’t tolerated, and amplified sound can be limited if it becomes disruptive. Drones, fireworks, and other non-licensed motorized devices are not allowed to be operated in the lots. Portable restrooms and hand-washing stations are deployed across the tailgate areas, and you will see dedicated charcoal-only disposal bins spread throughout the lots to handle ash safely.

Practical tip from the season-pass crowd: because vehicles are directed as they arrive, caravans that actually pull in line together get the adjacent stalls; “text me when you get here” usually won’t work. Also, break down your tent and grill when the game starts. Tailgating is prohibited during and after the event, and security does a sweep.

How should I get there: park on site, walk from the Strip, or use transit?

There isn’t one “best” way. In Las Vegas you’re choosing between certainty and convenience. Onsite parking means you control your tailgate and have a short walk to the gate. Walking from a Strip resort saves money and can be faster after the game. Transit trims the cost and stress if you’re staying off-Strip. Here are the trade-offs locals actually weigh:

A few local nuances matter. The stadium explicitly notes that parking provided by MGM Resorts and sold through ParkMobile or SpotHero is not run by the Raiders or Allegiant. If you want to grill, you need a Raiders-controlled tailgate lot. If you just want to show up and head inside, walking from a south-Strip resort is straightforward, and that pedestrian bridge is closed to vehicles and staffed for crowd flow before and after big events.

Gates, bags, and bag check: what gets you in fast?

For Raiders games, all stadium gates open 2 hours prior to kickoff. For UNLV football at Allegiant, gates open 90 minutes before kickoff. If your bag isn’t compliant, you’ll be standing at security while your section is filling in behind you, so treat the bag policy like your boarding pass.

Allegiant Stadium enforces the NFL clear bag standard: one clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag up to 12" x 6" x 12" plus a small clutch, purse, or wallet up to 4.5" x 6.5" x 2". Medical items are the exception but are still inspected. Prohibited bag types include backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, diaper bags, and any bag over the size limits. Separate from bags, outside food and beverage are not allowed, and bottles and cans cannot be brought in.

There is a straightforward fallback if you arrive with a non-compliant bag. The stadium operates three bag-check locations for a $20 non-refundable fee per bag. They open when stadium entries open and close 1 hour after the event ends. Locations are easy to remember by side of the building: North Bag Check in Lot B just south of Hacienda Avenue, East Bag Check in Lot E, and West Bag Check at 5455 Polaris Avenue. Luggage and suitcases are accepted, which is a real trip-saver if you came straight from checkout.

Expect a fully cashless building once you pass security. Concessions and retail take debit/credit and mobile wallets, and there are Cash-to-Card kiosks inside so you can convert paper money to a prepaid card. Examples include kiosks in the Northeast and Northwest Entry lobbies on the 050 Level and near Section 203 on the 200 Level. If you rely on hard cards, do the swap as soon as you come in to avoid halftime lines.

Rideshare, walking, and the postgame exit pattern

The main rideshare hub is in the front half of Lot N at 5285 Dean Martin Dr, just north of the stadium. Postgame, staff will funnel traffic and the app will route you to the correct pickup loop. Taxis and general drop-off/pick-up use the corner of Diablo Dr and Procyon St, with a signed walking path back to the southwest entries. If you’re staying at Luxor or Mandalay, those resorts also coordinate additional rideshare zones you can reach by the Hacienda overpass.

Walking from the Strip is popular because it’s simple and predictable. The Hacienda Bridge is closed to vehicles and left open to pedestrians on game and select event days. The bridge span is about 0.3 miles from the east side to a stadium gate, and the total walk from Las Vegas Boulevard clocks in at about 10–15 minutes depending on crowds. For night games, it’s lit and staffed and becomes a steady flow back to the resort corridor afterward.

Taking transit, you’ve got two different tools. The RTC Game Day Express runs for Raiders home games from neighborhood casino hubs around the valley. It’s $4 round-trip, with pickups like Red Rock Casino (Summerlin), Green Valley Ranch (Henderson), Santa Fe Station (Centennial Hills), Sam’s Town (East Side), Aliante (North Las Vegas), and M Resort (West Henderson). First departures are planned about 30 minutes before gates open, the last buses leave pickup points 1 hour before kickoff, and return trips begin roughly 30 minutes after the game ends. If you’re on the Strip, the Deuce bus runs every ~15 minutes, 24/7, and a $8 24-hour pass covers your pregame ride to the Mandalay stop plus whatever you do later that night.

Layout and in-stadium tips you only learn after a couple of games

The building address is 3333 Al Davis Way. It sits just west of I-15 between Tropicana and Russell, which explains the one-way street controls and detours you’ll see on game days. If you haven’t been before, the best pedestrian orientation is from the north side where the Lanai Doors and Strip-facing entries are; staff will deploy signwalkers and barricades to steer fans to the correct entry lanes.

Accessibility is built into the arrival plan. There is an ADA drop-off lot in Lot B near Gate 2. ADA placards alone do not grant access to park in Raiders-controlled lots, so if you’re driving yourself, you still need a valid parking pass for an ADA space. If those ADA spaces fill, staff will direct you to the next available space in reserved lots.

EV drivers will find Blink charging stations in Lots A, D, and F. You still need a valid parking pass for that lot on event days to use a charger, and the stations are first-come, first-served. If you know you’ll want to top up, buy a pass specifically in one of those lots rather than hoping to move your vehicle later. The stadium is a no re-entry venue; leaving to mess with your car means you’re not getting back in.

If you’re trying to eat efficiently, the Raiders + Allegiant Stadium app supports mobile ordering in select club sections during Raiders home games, which can shorten your time away from your seat. Outside the app, the concourse food and beverage lineup is posted on the stadium’s menu guide. Either way, remember that outside food and beverage aren’t permitted, and bottled drinks from outside won’t clear security.

Odds and ends the regulars plan around: vehicles are allowed to begin lining up for the parking gates in the single lane closest to the curb about 1 hour before the parking gates open, which matters on high-demand dates. Raiders season parking passes are valid for Raiders games only; single-game passes for stadium-controlled lots are sold in advance and scanned digitally. Finally, portable chairs and seat cushions are not permitted inside the stadium, so if you’re used to bringing a pad to college venues, leave it in the car.

UNLV fans can borrow the same playbook. Allegiant’s 4-hour parking windows and tailgate rules apply to Rebels home games, but the building itself opens later for UNLV, with gates at 90 minutes before kickoff. UNLV’s box office typically opens 4 hours before kickoff and closes at the end of halftime, which is helpful if you’re picking up or resolving tickets in person.

Key Things To Know

• Tailgating is allowed only in designated stadium-controlled lots and ends at kickoff. Lots open 4 hours before the game and clear 1 hour after.
• Clear bag policy is strict: one clear bag up to 12" x 6" x 12" plus a clutch up to 4.5" x 6.5" x 2". Outside food, bottles, and cans are not permitted.
• Bag check runs when gates are open and costs $20 per bag at three locations: Lot B (North), Lot E (East), and 5455 Polaris Ave (West).
• Raiders gates open 2 hours before kickoff; UNLV gates open 90 minutes prior. Plan your bag check, cash-to-card swap, and merch stops around those clocks.
• The main rideshare hub is Lot N at 5285 Dean Martin Dr. Taxis and general pickup use Diablo Dr and Procyon St.
• Walking from the Strip is easy via the Hacienda Bridge, which is pedestrian-only on game and select event days. Expect a 10–15 minute walk.
• Transit options are legit: $4 RTC Game Day Express round-trip from valley casino hubs and an $8 24-hour Deuce pass along the Strip.
• Need a charger or ADA access? EV charging is in Lots A, D, F, and ADA drop-off is in Lot B near Gate 2. A valid parking pass is still required to park.

Reader Q&A

What time do the lots and gates open on Raiders and UNLV game days?

For both teams, stadium-controlled parking lots open 4 hours before kickoff. For Raiders, all stadium gates open 2 hours prior. For UNLV football, gates open 90 minutes before kickoff. Plan arrivals and bag check around those times.

Can I tailgate if I park at Mandalay Bay or Luxor?

No. Those garages are MGM-operated and are parking only. If you want a grill-and-tent setup, buy a pass for an Allegiant Stadium tailgate lot such as Lot H or Lot J. Use the Hacienda Bridge if you’re just walking over from the resorts.

What happens if my bag is too big for the clear bag rule?

Use the stadium’s bag check. It costs $20 per bag, opens when gates open, and closes 1 hour after the event. You’ll find locations at North in Lot B, East in Lot E, and West at 5455 Polaris Ave. Luggage and suitcases are accepted.

Where should I call a rideshare after the game?

Head to the rideshare hub in Lot N at 5285 Dean Martin Dr. Taxis and general pickups stage at Diablo Dr and Procyon St. If you’re staying at Mandalay or Luxor, those resorts also operate rideshare areas you can reach by walking the Hacienda Bridge.

Here’s how I choose on a typical Sunday: If I’m grilling, I buy an on-site tailgate pass and arrive right at the 4-hour mark. If I’m going light, I stay on the south Strip, walk the Hacienda Bridge, and carry a compliant 12" x 6" x 12" clear bag or skip a bag entirely to move through gates at the 2-hour opening.

Published: September 28, 2026 · Reviewed by the Hey Las Vegas editorial team