{
 "generated": "2026-10-08T08:48:55.251Z",
 "as_of": "2026-10-08",
 "license": "Free to reuse with attribution to VegasFans.com and the listed sources.",
 "source_registry": "https://vegasfans.com/data/sources.json",
 "count": 137,
 "entries": [
  {
   "id": "1947-original-cashman",
   "date": "1947",
   "title": "The original Cashman Field is built",
   "sport": "other",
   "venue": "cashman-field",
   "kind": "venue",
   "summary": "The first Cashman Field, originally called Elks Stadium, went up on the same property as today's stadium and hosted football and rodeos before baseball arrived.",
   "sources": [
    "w-cashman"
   ],
   "evidence": "The original Cashman Field was built in 1947 on the same property as the modern stadium",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1947-original-cashman"
  },
  {
   "id": "1948-first-baseball-cashman",
   "date": "1948-05-21",
   "title": "First baseball game at the original Cashman Field",
   "sport": "baseball",
   "venue": "cashman-field",
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "Baseball debuted at the downtown ballpark on May 21, 1948. The original Las Vegas Wranglers baseball club played there from 1947 to 1952 and again in 1957–58.",
   "sources": [
    "w-cashman"
   ],
   "evidence": "before the first baseball game was held on May 21, 1948",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1948-first-baseball-cashman"
  },
  {
   "id": "1964-raiders-oilers",
   "date": "1964",
   "title": "The Raiders play the first pro football game in Las Vegas",
   "sport": "football",
   "teams": [
    "raiders"
   ],
   "venue": "cashman-field",
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "Decades before relocating, the then-Oakland Raiders beat the Houston Oilers 53–49 in an AFL preseason charity game at the original Cashman Field — the first professional football game played in Las Vegas.",
   "sources": [
    "w-cashman",
    "w-raiders-reloc"
   ],
   "evidence": "a game that the Raiders won 53 to 49",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1964-raiders-oilers"
  },
  {
   "id": "1966-unlv-rotunda",
   "date": "1966",
   "title": "UNLV basketball moves into the Rotunda",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "teams": [
    "unlv"
   ],
   "kind": "venue",
   "summary": "The Rebels began playing at the Rotunda, a silver-domed 6,300-seat arena inside the Las Vegas Convention Center.",
   "sources": [
    "w-unlv-bb"
   ],
   "evidence": "In 1966, the team moved its games to The Rotunda",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1966-unlv-rotunda"
  },
  {
   "id": "1968-unlv-football-begins",
   "date": "1968-09-14",
   "title": "UNLV football plays its first season",
   "sport": "football",
   "teams": [
    "unlv"
   ],
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "The program, launched by what was then Nevada Southern University, kicked off on September 14, 1968, as a small-college independent under head coach Bill Ireland.",
   "sources": [
    "w-unlv-fb"
   ],
   "evidence": "The program, which began on September 14, 1968",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1968-unlv-football-begins"
  },
  {
   "id": "1971-las-vegas-stadium-opens",
   "date": "1971-10-23",
   "title": "Las Vegas Stadium (later Sam Boyd) opens",
   "sport": "football",
   "teams": [
    "unlv"
   ],
   "venue": "sam-boyd-stadium",
   "kind": "venue",
   "summary": "UNLV opened its new home against Weber State, losing 30–17. The stadium was later renamed the Silver Bowl and then Sam Boyd Stadium, and it served the Rebels for 49 seasons.",
   "sources": [
    "w-unlv-fb",
    "w-samboyd"
   ],
   "evidence": "On October 23, 1971, the Rebels opened their new home, Las Vegas Stadium, against Weber State, losing 17–30",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1971-las-vegas-stadium-opens"
  },
  {
   "id": "1973-tarkanian-hired",
   "date": "1973-03-23",
   "title": "UNLV hires Jerry Tarkanian",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "teams": [
    "unlv"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "The former Long Beach State coach arrived at a program locals had nicknamed \"Tumbleweed Tech\" and coached the Runnin' Rebels until 1992.",
   "sources": [
    "w-unlv-bb",
    "w-tark"
   ],
   "evidence": "On March 23, 1973, UNLV hired former Long Beach State head coach Jerry Tarkanian",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1973-tarkanian-hired"
  },
  {
   "id": "1974-unlv-undefeated",
   "date": "1974",
   "title": "UNLV football goes 11–0",
   "sport": "football",
   "teams": [
    "unlv"
   ],
   "kind": "record",
   "summary": "Under Ron Meyer, the Rebels finished 11–0 — still the only undefeated season in school history — and ranked second in the national Division II polls.",
   "sources": [
    "w-unlv-fb"
   ],
   "evidence": "The Rebels' success continued in 1974 with the only undefeated season in school history, finishing 11–0",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1974-unlv-undefeated"
  },
  {
   "id": "1977-hardway-eight",
   "date": "1977",
   "title": "The \"Hardway Eight\" reach the Final Four",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "teams": [
    "unlv"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "Just seven years after joining Division I, Tarkanian's 29–3 Rebels ran their way to the 1977 Final Four in Atlanta, putting UNLV on the national map.",
   "sources": [
    "w-unlv-bb"
   ],
   "evidence": "In 1977, just seven years after joining Division I, The Rebels made the Final Four with a squad nicknamed the \"Hardway Eight\"",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1977-hardway-eight"
  },
  {
   "id": "1977-quicksilvers",
   "date": "1977-04-09",
   "title": "The Las Vegas Quicksilvers open against the Cosmos",
   "sport": "soccer",
   "venue": "sam-boyd-stadium",
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "The NASL's Quicksilvers beat the New York Cosmos 1–0 in their home opener before 11,896 fans at Las Vegas Stadium. Portuguese legend Eusébio played 17 matches for the one-season club.",
   "sources": [
    "w-quicksilvers"
   ],
   "evidence": "The Quicksilvers opened the season on April 9, 1977, at home with a 1–0 win against the New York Cosmos with 11,896 fans",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1977-quicksilvers"
  },
  {
   "id": "1980-holmes-ali",
   "date": "1980-10-02",
   "title": "Holmes vs. Ali — \"The Last Hurrah\" at Caesars Palace",
   "sport": "boxing",
   "venue": "caesars-palace",
   "topics": [
    "boxing"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "Larry Holmes defended the WBC and The Ring heavyweight titles against his former boss and sparring partner Muhammad Ali at Caesars Palace.",
   "sources": [
    "w-holmes-ali"
   ],
   "evidence": "Ali and Holmes signed to fight on October 2 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1980-holmes-ali"
  },
  {
   "id": "1981-caesars-gp",
   "date": "1981-10-17",
   "title": "Formula One races in a Caesars Palace parking lot",
   "sport": "motorsport",
   "venue": "caesars-palace",
   "topics": [
    "f1-las-vegas-grand-prix"
   ],
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "The 1981 Caesars Palace Grand Prix, the season finale, was won by Alan Jones. Nelson Piquet finished fifth to clinch the drivers' title by one point.",
   "sources": [
    "w-cpgp81",
    "w-cpgp"
   ],
   "evidence": "The 75-lap race was won by Australian driver Alan Jones",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1981-caesars-gp"
  },
  {
   "id": "1982-holmes-cooney",
   "date": "1982-06-11",
   "title": "Holmes vs. Cooney draws 29,214 to Caesars Palace",
   "sport": "boxing",
   "venue": "caesars-palace",
   "topics": [
    "boxing"
   ],
   "kind": "record",
   "summary": "Held in the Caesars Palace parking lot, Holmes–Cooney set the Las Vegas boxing attendance record of 29,214 — a mark that stood until 2025.",
   "sources": [
    "w-holmes-cooney",
    "w-canelo-crawford"
   ],
   "evidence": "29,214 fans attended the 1982 fight between Larry Holmes and Gerry Cooney",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1982-holmes-cooney"
  },
  {
   "id": "1982-caesars-gp",
   "date": "1982-09-25",
   "title": "Alboreto wins the last Caesars Palace Grand Prix",
   "sport": "motorsport",
   "venue": "caesars-palace",
   "topics": [
    "f1-las-vegas-grand-prix"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "Michele Alboreto won in a Tyrrell. It would be the last Formula One race in Las Vegas for just over 41 years.",
   "sources": [
    "w-cpgp82"
   ],
   "evidence": "This would be last Grand Prix held in Las Vegas for just over 41 years",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1982-caesars-gp"
  },
  {
   "id": "1983-stars-arrive",
   "date": "1983",
   "title": "The Las Vegas Stars bring Triple-A baseball to town",
   "sport": "baseball",
   "teams": [
    "aviators"
   ],
   "venue": "cashman-field",
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "The relocated Spokane franchise became the Las Vegas Stars, a Padres affiliate in the Pacific Coast League — the lineage that runs to today's Aviators.",
   "sources": [
    "w-aviators"
   ],
   "evidence": "The franchise moved once again in 1983, becoming the Las Vegas Stars",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1983-stars-arrive"
  },
  {
   "id": "1983-pga-tour-arrives",
   "date": "1983",
   "title": "The PGA Tour's Las Vegas stop begins",
   "sport": "golf",
   "topics": [
    "big-games"
   ],
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "Fuzzy Zoeller won the inaugural event, which carried a then-record purse of $750,000. The tournament ran under various names through 2024.",
   "sources": [
    "w-shriners",
    "shriners-end"
   ],
   "evidence": "The inaugural tournament in 1983 had a then-record official purse of $750,000",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1983-pga-tour-arrives"
  },
  {
   "id": "1983-cashman-opens",
   "date": "1983-04-01",
   "title": "The modern Cashman Field opens",
   "sport": "baseball",
   "venue": "cashman-field",
   "kind": "venue",
   "summary": "The new downtown ballpark debuted with a Padres–Mariners exhibition before 13,878 fans and became home of the Triple-A Las Vegas Stars.",
   "sources": [
    "w-cashman"
   ],
   "evidence": "Its first professional baseball game was a Major League Baseball (MLB) exhibition held on April 1, 1983",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1983-cashman-opens"
  },
  {
   "id": "1983-thomas-mack-opens",
   "date": "1983-12-16",
   "title": "Thomas & Mack Center's gala opening",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "teams": [
    "unlv"
   ],
   "venue": "thomas-mack-center",
   "kind": "venue",
   "summary": "UNLV's 18,500-seat arena held its grand opening with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Diana Ross, and has been the Runnin' Rebels' home ever since.",
   "sources": [
    "w-tmc",
    "w-unlv-bb"
   ],
   "evidence": "The gala grand opening was held on December 16, 1983, featuring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Diana Ross",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1983-thomas-mack-opens"
  },
  {
   "id": "1984-kareem-record",
   "date": "1984",
   "title": "Kareem breaks the career scoring record in Las Vegas",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "venue": "thomas-mack-center",
   "kind": "record",
   "summary": "The Utah Jazz used the Thomas & Mack Center in the mid-1980s, and it was there that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar passed Wilt Chamberlain's career points record.",
   "sources": [
    "w-tmc"
   ],
   "evidence": "it was where Kareem Abdul-Jabbar broke Wilt Chamberlain's record for points in a career in 1984",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1984-kareem-record"
  },
  {
   "id": "1984-first-million-purse",
   "date": "1984",
   "title": "Vegas hosts the PGA Tour's first $1 million purse",
   "sport": "golf",
   "topics": [
    "big-games"
   ],
   "kind": "record",
   "summary": "The Las Vegas tournament became the first PGA Tour event to offer a purse above $1 million; Denis Watson won $162,000.",
   "sources": [
    "w-shriners"
   ],
   "evidence": "In 1984, it became the first PGA Tour event in history to offer a purse exceeding a million dollars",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1984-first-million-purse"
  },
  {
   "id": "1985-hagler-hearns",
   "date": "1985-04-15",
   "title": "Hagler vs. Hearns — \"The War\"",
   "sport": "boxing",
   "venue": "caesars-palace",
   "topics": [
    "boxing"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns fought for the undisputed middleweight title at Caesars Palace. The Ring called it \"the most electrifying eight minutes ever.\"",
   "sources": [
    "w-hagler-hearns"
   ],
   "evidence": "It was held at the Caesars Palace hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 15, 1985",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1985-hagler-hearns"
  },
  {
   "id": "1985-nfr-arrives",
   "date": "1985-12",
   "title": "The National Finals Rodeo moves to Las Vegas",
   "sport": "rodeo",
   "venue": "thomas-mack-center",
   "topics": [
    "nfr"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "After Las Vegas bid for the event in 1984, the NFR began its December run at the Thomas & Mack Center in 1985.",
   "sources": [
    "w-nfr",
    "w-tmc"
   ],
   "evidence": "Since 1985, the NFR has been held at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1985-nfr-arrives"
  },
  {
   "id": "1986-stars-pcl-title",
   "date": "1986",
   "title": "The Las Vegas Stars win the PCL championship",
   "sport": "baseball",
   "teams": [
    "aviators"
   ],
   "venue": "cashman-field",
   "kind": "championship",
   "summary": "The Stars went 80–62 and won the first of the franchise's three Pacific Coast League titles.",
   "sources": [
    "w-aviators"
   ],
   "evidence": "They won the PCL championship as the Stars in 1986 and 1988",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1986-stars-pcl-title"
  },
  {
   "id": "1987-unlv-indiana",
   "date": "1987",
   "title": "UNLV's 37–1 run ends in the Final Four",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "teams": [
    "unlv"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "The 1986–87 Rebels finished the regular season ranked No. 1, then lost 97–93 to Bob Knight's Indiana in the national semifinals in New Orleans.",
   "sources": [
    "w-tark",
    "w-unlv-bb"
   ],
   "evidence": "with Knight's Indiana Hoosiers defeating UNLV, 97–93",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1987-unlv-indiana"
  },
  {
   "id": "1987-hagler-leonard",
   "date": "1987-04-06",
   "title": "Leonard upsets Hagler at Caesars Palace",
   "sport": "boxing",
   "venue": "caesars-palace",
   "topics": [
    "boxing"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "Sugar Ray Leonard took the WBC and The Ring middleweight titles by a controversial split decision in \"The Super Fight.\" It was Hagler's last bout.",
   "sources": [
    "w-hagler-leonard"
   ],
   "evidence": "Leonard won by a controversial split decision",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1987-hagler-leonard"
  },
  {
   "id": "1988-stars-pcl-title",
   "date": "1988",
   "title": "The Stars win a second PCL title",
   "sport": "baseball",
   "teams": [
    "aviators"
   ],
   "venue": "cashman-field",
   "kind": "championship",
   "summary": "Las Vegas beat Vancouver again, this time in four games, for the franchise's second Pacific Coast League championship.",
   "sources": [
    "w-aviators"
   ],
   "evidence": "The Stars won their second PCL championship in 1988, once again defeating Vancouver, this time in four games",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1988-stars-pcl-title"
  },
  {
   "id": "1990-unlv-national-title",
   "date": "1990-04-02",
   "title": "UNLV wins the national championship, 103–73",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "teams": [
    "unlv"
   ],
   "kind": "championship",
   "summary": "In Denver, Tarkanian's Rebels routed Duke by 30 — still the largest margin in a title game — and became the only team to score 100 in the championship game.",
   "sources": [
    "w-ncaa90",
    "w-unlv-bb",
    "w-tark"
   ],
   "evidence": "UNLV's 30-point margin of victory in the championship game is also a tournament record",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1990-unlv-national-title"
  },
  {
   "id": "1991-unlv-34-0",
   "date": "1991",
   "title": "34–0 UNLV falls to Duke in the Final Four",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "teams": [
    "unlv"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "The defending champions entered Indianapolis unbeaten, winning by an average of 27.3 points, before a 79–77 semifinal loss to Duke.",
   "sources": [
    "w-unlv-bb",
    "w-tark"
   ],
   "evidence": "Duke prevailed 79–77",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1991-unlv-34-0"
  },
  {
   "id": "1991-larry-johnson",
   "date": "1991",
   "title": "Larry Johnson goes No. 1 overall",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "teams": [
    "unlv"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "UNLV's Larry Johnson was the first overall pick in the 1991 NBA draft — one of 39 Tarkanian players drafted into the NBA.",
   "sources": [
    "w-tark"
   ],
   "evidence": "Larry Johnson was the first overall pick in 1991",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1991-larry-johnson"
  },
  {
   "id": "1992-las-vegas-bowl",
   "date": "1992",
   "title": "The first Las Vegas Bowl",
   "sport": "football",
   "venue": "sam-boyd-stadium",
   "topics": [
    "big-games"
   ],
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "The bowl debuted at Sam Boyd Stadium, where it stayed through 2019 before moving to Allegiant Stadium.",
   "sources": [
    "w-lvbowl",
    "w-samboyd"
   ],
   "evidence": "The first Las Vegas Bowl was played in 1992",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1992-las-vegas-bowl"
  },
  {
   "id": "1992-tarkanian-resigns",
   "date": "1992",
   "title": "Tarkanian's UNLV era ends",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "teams": [
    "unlv"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "Tarkanian was forced to resign after 19 seasons and a 509–105 record at UNLV.",
   "sources": [
    "w-unlv-bb"
   ],
   "evidence": "Ultimately, in 1992, Tarkanian was forced to resign by UNLV president Robert Maxson",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1992-tarkanian-resigns"
  },
  {
   "id": "1993-thunder",
   "date": "1993",
   "title": "The Las Vegas Thunder bring pro hockey to town",
   "sport": "hockey",
   "venue": "thomas-mack-center",
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "The IHL's Thunder played at the Thomas & Mack Center from 1993–94 until folding on April 18, 1999. The Golden Knights later honored them with a Reverse Retro jersey.",
   "sources": [
    "w-thunder"
   ],
   "evidence": "They began play in the 1993–1994 season, folding on April 18, 1999",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1993-thunder"
  },
  {
   "id": "1993-cashman-record",
   "date": "1993-04-03",
   "title": "Cashman Field's attendance record",
   "sport": "baseball",
   "venue": "cashman-field",
   "kind": "record",
   "summary": "A White Sox–Cubs exhibition drew 15,025 fans, still the downtown ballpark's record crowd.",
   "sources": [
    "w-cashman"
   ],
   "evidence": "The Cashman Field attendance record of 15,025 was set on April 3, 1993",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1993-cashman-record"
  },
  {
   "id": "1993-mgm-grand-garden",
   "date": "1993-12-31",
   "title": "MGM Grand Garden Arena opens",
   "sport": "boxing",
   "venue": "mgm-grand-garden-arena",
   "topics": [
    "boxing"
   ],
   "kind": "venue",
   "summary": "Barbra Streisand opened the arena that would become one of boxing's biggest stages.",
   "sources": [
    "w-mgmga"
   ],
   "evidence": "The venue opened on December 31, 1993, with a concert by Barbra Streisand",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1993-mgm-grand-garden"
  },
  {
   "id": "1994-posse",
   "date": "1994-07-08",
   "title": "The CFL's Las Vegas Posse make history (briefly)",
   "sport": "football",
   "venue": "sam-boyd-stadium",
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "The Posse hosted the Sacramento Gold Miners in the first CFL game between two American teams. The franchise lasted one season.",
   "sources": [
    "w-posse"
   ],
   "evidence": "on July 8, 1994, when the team played the Sacramento Gold Miners in the first ever CFL match involving two American-based teams",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1994-posse"
  },
  {
   "id": "1995-first-overtime",
   "date": "1995",
   "title": "Major college football's first overtime game",
   "sport": "football",
   "venue": "sam-boyd-stadium",
   "topics": [
    "big-games"
   ],
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "Toledo beat Nevada 40–37 in the Las Vegas Bowl, the first overtime game in Division I-A college football.",
   "sources": [
    "w-lvbowl"
   ],
   "evidence": "In 1995, Toledo defeated Nevada, 40–37, in the first ever overtime game in Division I-A college football",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1995-first-overtime"
  },
  {
   "id": "1995-tyson-mcneeley",
   "date": "1995-08-19",
   "title": "Tyson's comeback at the MGM Grand",
   "sport": "boxing",
   "venue": "mgm-grand-garden-arena",
   "topics": [
    "boxing"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "Mike Tyson returned to the ring after more than four years away, facing Peter McNeeley in a bout billed as \"He's Back.\"",
   "sources": [
    "w-tyson-mcneeley"
   ],
   "evidence": "was a professional boxing match contested on August 19, 1995",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1995-tyson-mcneeley"
  },
  {
   "id": "1996-lvms-oval",
   "date": "1996",
   "title": "Las Vegas Motor Speedway's 1.5-mile oval opens",
   "sport": "motorsport",
   "venue": "las-vegas-motor-speedway",
   "kind": "venue",
   "summary": "The superspeedway was completed in 1996 on a complex that now spans more than 1,200 acres.",
   "sources": [
    "w-lvms"
   ],
   "evidence": "announced plans to build a 1.500 mi (2.414 km) oval on the track's complex, which was completed in 1996",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1996-lvms-oval"
  },
  {
   "id": "1996-athletics-cashman",
   "date": "1996-04",
   "title": "The Oakland A's play six \"home\" games in Las Vegas",
   "sport": "baseball",
   "teams": [
    "athletics"
   ],
   "venue": "cashman-field",
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "With the Oakland Coliseum under renovation, the A's opened 1996 with six games at Cashman Field — a preview of the move to come three decades later.",
   "sources": [
    "w-athletics",
    "w-cashman"
   ],
   "evidence": "Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nevada (April 1996 for six games due to renovations at Oakland Coliseum)",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1996-athletics-cashman"
  },
  {
   "id": "1996-tiger-first-win",
   "date": "1996-10",
   "title": "Tiger Woods wins for the first time on Tour — in Las Vegas",
   "sport": "golf",
   "topics": [
    "big-games"
   ],
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "Woods beat Davis Love III in a playoff for his first PGA Tour victory.",
   "sources": [
    "w-shriners"
   ],
   "evidence": "Tiger Woods recorded his first PGA Tour victory at Las Vegas in October 1996",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1996-tiger-first-win"
  },
  {
   "id": "1996-holyfield-tyson",
   "date": "1996-11-09",
   "title": "Holyfield stuns Tyson",
   "sport": "boxing",
   "venue": "mgm-grand-garden-arena",
   "topics": [
    "boxing"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "Evander Holyfield took Tyson's WBA heavyweight title at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in a fight billed as \"Finally.\"",
   "sources": [
    "w-tyson-holy1"
   ],
   "evidence": "for the WBA heavyweight championship on November 9, 1996, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1996-holyfield-tyson"
  },
  {
   "id": "1997-bite-fight",
   "date": "1997-06-28",
   "title": "The \"Bite Fight\"",
   "sport": "boxing",
   "venue": "mgm-grand-garden-arena",
   "topics": [
    "boxing"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "In the Holyfield–Tyson rematch, Tyson bit off part of Holyfield's ear and was disqualified, then lost his boxing license (later reinstated).",
   "sources": [
    "w-tyson-holy2"
   ],
   "evidence": "Tyson bit off a part of Holyfield's ear",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1997-bite-fight"
  },
  {
   "id": "1999-mountain-west",
   "date": "1999",
   "title": "UNLV helps found the Mountain West",
   "sport": "football",
   "teams": [
    "unlv"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "UNLV left the WAC with seven other schools to form the Mountain West Conference and hired John Robinson as football coach.",
   "sources": [
    "w-unlv-fb"
   ],
   "evidence": "In 1999, the Rebels left the WAC with seven other schools to form the Mountain West Conference",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1999-mountain-west"
  },
  {
   "id": "1999-mandalay-events-center",
   "date": "1999-04-10",
   "title": "Mandalay Bay Events Center opens",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "venue": "michelob-ultra-arena",
   "kind": "venue",
   "summary": "Luciano Pavarotti opened the 12,000-seat arena that is now Michelob Ultra Arena, home of the Aces.",
   "sources": [
    "w-michelob"
   ],
   "evidence": "The facility opened as the Mandalay Bay Events Center on April 10, 1999, with a performance by opera singer Luciano Pavarotti",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#1999-mandalay-events-center"
  },
  {
   "id": "2000-unlv-las-vegas-bowl",
   "date": "2000",
   "title": "UNLV wins the Las Vegas Bowl",
   "sport": "football",
   "teams": [
    "unlv"
   ],
   "venue": "sam-boyd-stadium",
   "topics": [
    "big-games"
   ],
   "kind": "championship",
   "summary": "Robinson's Rebels beat Arkansas 31–14 in their hometown bowl.",
   "sources": [
    "w-unlv-fb"
   ],
   "evidence": "including a 31–14 victory over Arkansas in the Las Vegas Bowl",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2000-unlv-las-vegas-bowl"
  },
  {
   "id": "2001-xfl-outlaws",
   "date": "2001-02-03",
   "title": "The XFL's Las Vegas Outlaws host the league's first national TV game",
   "sport": "football",
   "venue": "sam-boyd-stadium",
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "The Outlaws hosted the New York/New Jersey Hitmen on NBC in the XFL's first nationally televised game. The league lasted one season.",
   "sources": [
    "w-outlaws",
    "w-raiders-reloc"
   ],
   "evidence": "On February 3, 2001, The Outlaws hosted the first nationally televised XFL game on NBC",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2001-xfl-outlaws"
  },
  {
   "id": "2003-wranglers",
   "date": "2003",
   "title": "The ECHL's Las Vegas Wranglers are founded",
   "sport": "hockey",
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "The Wranglers reached the Kelly Cup Finals in 2008 and 2012 before suspending operations in 2014.",
   "sources": [
    "w-wranglers"
   ],
   "evidence": "The Wranglers were founded as an expansion franchise in 2003",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2003-wranglers"
  },
  {
   "id": "2004-summer-league",
   "date": "2004",
   "title": "NBA Summer League launches at UNLV",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "venue": "thomas-mack-center",
   "topics": [
    "big-games"
   ],
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "The Las Vegas Summer League started with six teams at the Thomas & Mack Center. Since 2018, all 30 NBA teams take part.",
   "sources": [
    "w-summer"
   ],
   "evidence": "The Las Vegas Summer League played its inaugural season in 2004",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2004-summer-league"
  },
  {
   "id": "2005-tarkanian-court",
   "date": "2005-11-26",
   "title": "The floor becomes Jerry Tarkanian Court",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "teams": [
    "unlv"
   ],
   "venue": "thomas-mack-center",
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "The Thomas & Mack Center court was renamed for the coach who went 509–105 in 19 seasons.",
   "sources": [
    "w-unlv-bb"
   ],
   "evidence": "On November 26, 2005, for his achievements as coach of the Runnin' Rebels",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2005-tarkanian-court"
  },
  {
   "id": "2007-mw-tournament",
   "date": "2007",
   "title": "Mountain West tournaments settle in at the Thomas & Mack",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "venue": "thomas-mack-center",
   "topics": [
    "big-games"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "The conference's men's and women's basketball tournaments have been played at the arena every year since 2007.",
   "sources": [
    "w-tmc",
    "w-mwt"
   ],
   "evidence": "The Mountain West Conference men's and women's basketball tournaments have both been played annually at the arena since 2007",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2007-mw-tournament"
  },
  {
   "id": "2007-nba-all-star",
   "date": "2007-02-18",
   "title": "The NBA All-Star Game comes to a city without a team",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "venue": "thomas-mack-center",
   "topics": [
    "big-games",
    "nba-expansion"
   ],
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "The West beat the East 153–132 at the Thomas & Mack Center, and Kobe Bryant was MVP. It was the first All-Star Game held in a non-NBA city.",
   "sources": [
    "w-nbaasg07",
    "w-tmc"
   ],
   "evidence": "The Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference, 153–132",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2007-nba-all-star"
  },
  {
   "id": "2009-wcc-orleans",
   "date": "2009",
   "title": "The WCC tournament moves to Las Vegas",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "topics": [
    "big-games"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "The 2009 West Coast Conference tournament was the first played at a neutral site — the Orleans Arena.",
   "sources": [
    "w-wcct"
   ],
   "evidence": "The 2009 edition was the first played at a neutral site, namely Orleans Arena",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2009-wcc-orleans"
  },
  {
   "id": "2009-locos-title",
   "date": "2009",
   "title": "The Las Vegas Locomotives win the first UFL title",
   "sport": "football",
   "venue": "sam-boyd-stadium",
   "kind": "championship",
   "summary": "The Locos beat the previously unbeaten Florida Tuskers to become the United Football League's first champions.",
   "sources": [
    "w-locos"
   ],
   "evidence": "In the 2009 UFL championship game, the Locos defeated the then-undefeated Florida Tuskers to become the league's first champions",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2009-locos-title"
  },
  {
   "id": "2010-locos-repeat",
   "date": "2010-11-27",
   "title": "The Locos repeat as UFL champions",
   "sport": "football",
   "kind": "championship",
   "summary": "Las Vegas beat Florida again, 23–20, for back-to-back titles.",
   "sources": [
    "w-locos"
   ],
   "evidence": "On November 27, 2010, the Locomotives won their second UFL championship",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2010-locos-repeat"
  },
  {
   "id": "2012-pac12-to-vegas",
   "date": "2012-03-13",
   "title": "The Pac-12 commits its basketball tournament to Las Vegas",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "venue": "mgm-grand-garden-arena",
   "topics": [
    "big-games"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "The tournament moved to the MGM Grand Garden Arena, then to T-Mobile Arena once it opened in the 2016–17 season.",
   "sources": [
    "w-pac12t"
   ],
   "evidence": "On March 13, 2012, the Pac-12 Tournament was officially moved to the MGM Grand Garden Arena",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2012-pac12-to-vegas"
  },
  {
   "id": "2013-bennett-no1",
   "date": "2013-06",
   "title": "Anthony Bennett goes No. 1 overall",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "teams": [
    "unlv"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "Bennett became the first Rebel picked first overall since 1991.",
   "sources": [
    "w-unlv-bb"
   ],
   "evidence": "Anthony Bennett was drafted as the top overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2013-bennett-no1"
  },
  {
   "id": "2014-tmobile-groundbreaking",
   "date": "2014-05-01",
   "title": "Ground broken for T-Mobile Arena",
   "sport": "hockey",
   "venue": "t-mobile-arena",
   "kind": "venue",
   "summary": "MGM Resorts and AEG broke ground on the Strip arena behind New York-New York and Monte Carlo.",
   "sources": [
    "w-tmobile"
   ],
   "evidence": "The project broke ground on May 1, 2014",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2014-tmobile-groundbreaking"
  },
  {
   "id": "2015-season-ticket-drive",
   "date": "2015-04",
   "title": "Las Vegas hits 10,000 NHL season-ticket deposits",
   "sport": "hockey",
   "teams": [
    "golden-knights"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "The ticket drive that began in February 2015 drew 5,000 deposits in its first day and a half and reached its 10,000 goal by April.",
   "sources": [
    "w-vgk"
   ],
   "evidence": "reached its goal of 10,000 deposits by April 2015",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2015-season-ticket-drive"
  },
  {
   "id": "2015-mayweather-pacquiao",
   "date": "2015-05-02",
   "title": "Mayweather vs. Pacquiao",
   "sport": "boxing",
   "venue": "mgm-grand-garden-arena",
   "topics": [
    "boxing"
   ],
   "kind": "record",
   "summary": "The \"Fight of the Century\" at the MGM Grand Garden Arena generated about $410 million in U.S. pay-per-view revenue, the highest-grossing PPV in history.",
   "sources": [
    "w-may-pac"
   ],
   "evidence": "It took place on May 2, 2015, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Paradise, Nevada",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2015-mayweather-pacquiao"
  },
  {
   "id": "2016-tmobile-opens",
   "date": "2016-04-06",
   "title": "T-Mobile Arena opens",
   "sport": "hockey",
   "venue": "t-mobile-arena",
   "kind": "venue",
   "summary": "The Killers, Shamir and Wayne Newton — all Las Vegas natives — headlined the grand opening of the arena that would soon house the Golden Knights.",
   "sources": [
    "w-tmobile"
   ],
   "evidence": "The arena held its grand opening on April 6, 2016, with a concert by Las Vegas natives The Killers, Shamir and Wayne Newton",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2016-tmobile-opens"
  },
  {
   "id": "2016-nhl-awards-vegas",
   "date": "2016-06-22",
   "title": "The NHL awards Las Vegas a franchise",
   "sport": "hockey",
   "teams": [
    "golden-knights"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "At the owners' meeting in Las Vegas, the expansion bid was approved unanimously, with play to begin in 2017–18.",
   "sources": [
    "w-vgk",
    "w-scf18"
   ],
   "evidence": "At the league owners' meeting on June 22, 2016, in Las Vegas, the Las Vegas expansion bid was approved by a unanimous vote",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2016-nhl-awards-vegas"
  },
  {
   "id": "2016-stadium-bill-signed",
   "date": "2016-10-17",
   "title": "Nevada approves $750 million for a domed stadium",
   "sport": "football",
   "teams": [
    "raiders"
   ],
   "venue": "allegiant-stadium",
   "kind": "business",
   "summary": "Governor Brian Sandoval signed SB1 and AB1, raising hotel room taxes to fund $750 million toward the stadium that became Allegiant Stadium.",
   "sources": [
    "w-raiders-reloc"
   ],
   "evidence": "On October 17, 2016, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval signed into law Senate Bill 1 and Assembly Bill 1",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2016-stadium-bill-signed"
  },
  {
   "id": "2017-raiders-approved",
   "date": "2017-03-27",
   "title": "NFL owners approve the Raiders' move, 31–1",
   "sport": "football",
   "teams": [
    "raiders"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "At the league meeting in Phoenix, owners approved Oakland's relocation to Las Vegas, pending completion of the new stadium.",
   "sources": [
    "w-raiders-reloc",
    "w-raiders"
   ],
   "evidence": "NFL team owners approved the move, 31–1, at their annual meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 27, 2017",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2017-raiders-approved"
  },
  {
   "id": "2017-expansion-draft",
   "date": "2017-06-21",
   "title": "The Golden Knights' expansion draft",
   "sport": "hockey",
   "teams": [
    "golden-knights"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "Vegas took one player from each of the other 30 NHL teams — including goaltender Marc-André Fleury.",
   "sources": [
    "w-vgk",
    "w-fleury"
   ],
   "evidence": "After being selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL expansion draft",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2017-expansion-draft"
  },
  {
   "id": "2017-lights-announced",
   "date": "2017-08-11",
   "title": "Las Vegas lands a USL team",
   "sport": "soccer",
   "teams": [
    "lights-fc"
   ],
   "venue": "cashman-field",
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "Las Vegas was formally announced as a USL expansion market for 2018; fans picked the \"Lights\" name in an online poll weeks later.",
   "sources": [
    "w-lights"
   ],
   "evidence": "On August 11, 2017, Las Vegas was formally announced as a USL expansion team",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2017-lights-announced"
  },
  {
   "id": "2017-mayweather-mcgregor",
   "date": "2017-08-26",
   "title": "Mayweather vs. McGregor at T-Mobile Arena",
   "sport": "boxing",
   "venue": "t-mobile-arena",
   "topics": [
    "boxing",
    "ufc"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "The boxing-versus-MMA crossover — \"The Money Fight\" — was staged at T-Mobile Arena.",
   "sources": [
    "w-may-mcg"
   ],
   "evidence": "The fight took place on August 26, 2017 at T-Mobile Arena",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2017-mayweather-mcgregor"
  },
  {
   "id": "2017-vgk-first-game",
   "date": "2017-10-06",
   "title": "The Golden Knights win their first game",
   "sport": "hockey",
   "teams": [
    "golden-knights"
   ],
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "James Neal scored the franchise's first two goals in a win at Dallas.",
   "sources": [
    "w-vgk"
   ],
   "evidence": "The Golden Knights played their first game on October 6 against the Dallas Stars with Neal scoring the franchise's first two goals",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2017-vgk-first-game"
  },
  {
   "id": "2017-vgk-home-opener",
   "date": "2017-10-10",
   "title": "An emotional first home game",
   "sport": "hockey",
   "teams": [
    "golden-knights"
   ],
   "venue": "t-mobile-arena",
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "Nine days after the October 1 mass shooting, the Golden Knights honored the victims before beating Arizona 5–2 at T-Mobile Arena.",
   "sources": [
    "w-vgk"
   ],
   "evidence": "In the aftermath of the October 1 mass shooting, the pre-game ceremonies honored the victims of the attack",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2017-vgk-home-opener"
  },
  {
   "id": "2017-aces-sale-approved",
   "date": "2017-10-17",
   "title": "The WNBA approves a move to Las Vegas",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "teams": [
    "aces"
   ],
   "venue": "michelob-ultra-arena",
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "The NBA and WNBA approved the sale of the San Antonio Stars to MGM Resorts, with the team relocating for the 2018 season.",
   "sources": [
    "w-aces",
    "w-michelob"
   ],
   "evidence": "The NBA and WNBA approved the sale of the Stars to MGM Resorts on October 17, 2017",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2017-aces-sale-approved"
  },
  {
   "id": "2017-allegiant-construction",
   "date": "2017-11-13",
   "title": "Construction begins on Allegiant Stadium",
   "sport": "football",
   "teams": [
    "raiders"
   ],
   "venue": "allegiant-stadium",
   "kind": "venue",
   "summary": "Site preparation started in September; construction formally began in November.",
   "sources": [
    "w-allegiant"
   ],
   "evidence": "Construction of the stadium began on November 13, 2017",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2017-allegiant-construction"
  },
  {
   "id": "2017-aces-named",
   "date": "2017-12-11",
   "title": "Meet the Las Vegas Aces",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "teams": [
    "aces"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "The team name was revealed at a press conference inside the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay.",
   "sources": [
    "w-aces"
   ],
   "evidence": "On December 11, 2017, at a press conference inside the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, the team name was officially announced as the Las Vegas Aces",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2017-aces-named"
  },
  {
   "id": "2018-aces-wilson",
   "date": "2018",
   "title": "The Aces draft A'ja Wilson first overall",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "teams": [
    "aces"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "With the first pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft, the Aces chose South Carolina's A'ja Wilson.",
   "sources": [
    "w-aces",
    "w-ajawilson"
   ],
   "evidence": "They received the first pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft, and picked South Carolina's A'ja Wilson",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2018-aces-wilson"
  },
  {
   "id": "2018-ballpark-groundbreaking",
   "date": "2018-02-13",
   "title": "Ground broken on Las Vegas Ballpark",
   "sport": "baseball",
   "teams": [
    "aviators"
   ],
   "venue": "las-vegas-ballpark",
   "kind": "venue",
   "summary": "The $150 million Summerlin ballpark was built in time for the 2019 season.",
   "sources": [
    "w-lvballpark"
   ],
   "evidence": "The official groundbreaking was held on February 13, 2018",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2018-ballpark-groundbreaking"
  },
  {
   "id": "2018-lights-debut",
   "date": "2018-03-17",
   "title": "Lights FC win their first match",
   "sport": "soccer",
   "teams": [
    "lights-fc"
   ],
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "Las Vegas opened its USL era with a 3–2 win at Fresno.",
   "sources": [
    "w-lights"
   ],
   "evidence": "The team played their inaugural regular season match in Fresno, California, on March 17, 2018, winning 3–2 over Fresno FC",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2018-lights-debut"
  },
  {
   "id": "2018-vgk-clinch",
   "date": "2018-03-26",
   "title": "Playoffs in Year One",
   "sport": "hockey",
   "teams": [
    "golden-knights"
   ],
   "kind": "record",
   "summary": "Vegas became the first team since the 1979–80 Oilers and Whalers to make the playoffs in its inaugural season, then won the division five days later.",
   "sources": [
    "w-vgk",
    "w-scf18"
   ],
   "evidence": "the Golden Knights became the first team since the Edmonton Oilers and Hartford Whalers in the 1979–80 season to make the playoffs in their inaugural season",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2018-vgk-clinch"
  },
  {
   "id": "2018-aces-first-home",
   "date": "2018-05-27",
   "title": "The Aces' first home game",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "teams": [
    "aces"
   ],
   "venue": "michelob-ultra-arena",
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "The Aces played their first home game at what was then the Mandalay Bay Events Center.",
   "sources": [
    "w-michelob"
   ],
   "evidence": "They played their first home game on May 27, 2018",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2018-aces-first-home"
  },
  {
   "id": "2018-vgk-cup-final",
   "date": "2018-06",
   "title": "An expansion team in the Stanley Cup Final",
   "sport": "hockey",
   "teams": [
    "golden-knights"
   ],
   "venue": "t-mobile-arena",
   "kind": "record",
   "summary": "Vegas won 13 playoff games — the most by any team in its inaugural postseason — before losing the Final to Washington in five games.",
   "sources": [
    "w-vgk",
    "w-scf18"
   ],
   "evidence": "Their 13 playoff wins en route to the 2018 Stanley Cup Final are the most for a team during their inaugural postseason run",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2018-vgk-cup-final"
  },
  {
   "id": "2018-cashman-last-baseball",
   "date": "2018-09-03",
   "title": "The last pro baseball game at Cashman Field",
   "sport": "baseball",
   "teams": [
    "aviators"
   ],
   "venue": "cashman-field",
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "The 51s played their final game downtown before moving to Summerlin.",
   "sources": [
    "w-cashman"
   ],
   "evidence": "Its final professional baseball game was played on September 3, 2018",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2018-cashman-last-baseball"
  },
  {
   "id": "2019-aviators-ballpark",
   "date": "2019-04-09",
   "title": "The Aviators open Las Vegas Ballpark",
   "sport": "baseball",
   "teams": [
    "aviators"
   ],
   "venue": "las-vegas-ballpark",
   "kind": "venue",
   "summary": "With a new name, a new parent club (the A's) and a new 10,000-capacity ballpark, Triple-A baseball moved to Summerlin.",
   "sources": [
    "w-lvballpark",
    "w-aviators"
   ],
   "evidence": "with the home opener on April 9, 2019",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2019-aviators-ballpark"
  },
  {
   "id": "2019-apex-opens",
   "date": "2019-06-18",
   "title": "The UFC Apex opens",
   "sport": "mma",
   "venue": "meta-apex",
   "topics": [
    "ufc"
   ],
   "kind": "venue",
   "summary": "The UFC's production venue opened next to its headquarters in Enterprise. It was renamed Meta Apex in January 2026.",
   "sources": [
    "w-apex"
   ],
   "evidence": "The facility was officially opened on June 18, 2019",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2019-apex-opens"
  },
  {
   "id": "2019-sam-boyd-finale",
   "date": "2019-11-23",
   "title": "UNLV says goodbye to Sam Boyd Stadium",
   "sport": "football",
   "teams": [
    "unlv"
   ],
   "venue": "sam-boyd-stadium",
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "The Rebels beat San Jose State 38–35 in their last home game at the stadium.",
   "sources": [
    "w-unlv-fb",
    "w-samboyd"
   ],
   "evidence": "On November 23, 2019, the UNLV Rebels defeated the San Jose State Spartans in their final home game at Sam Boyd Stadium, 38–35",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2019-sam-boyd-finale"
  },
  {
   "id": "2020-wilson-mvp",
   "date": "2020",
   "title": "A'ja Wilson's first MVP",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "teams": [
    "aces"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "Wilson won the first of her four WNBA MVP awards (2020, 2022, 2024, 2025).",
   "sources": [
    "w-ajawilson"
   ],
   "evidence": "She won her first WNBA MVP with the Aces in 2020, winning again in 2022, 2024 and 2025",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2020-wilson-mvp"
  },
  {
   "id": "2020-raiders-arrive",
   "date": "2020-01-22",
   "title": "The Las Vegas Raiders become official",
   "sport": "football",
   "teams": [
    "raiders"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "The franchise formally moved from Oakland to the Las Vegas area.",
   "sources": [
    "w-raiders-reloc",
    "w-raiders"
   ],
   "evidence": "On January 22, 2020, the Oakland Raiders",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2020-raiders-arrive"
  },
  {
   "id": "2020-allegiant-first-game",
   "date": "2020-09-21",
   "title": "Allegiant Stadium's first game",
   "sport": "football",
   "teams": [
    "raiders"
   ],
   "venue": "allegiant-stadium",
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "The Raiders beat the Saints 34–24 on Monday Night Football. No spectators were admitted during the 2020 season.",
   "sources": [
    "w-allegiant"
   ],
   "evidence": "The first event at the stadium was a Monday Night Football game on September 21, 2020",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2020-allegiant-first-game"
  },
  {
   "id": "2020-unlv-allegiant",
   "date": "2020-10-31",
   "title": "UNLV debuts at Allegiant Stadium",
   "sport": "football",
   "teams": [
    "unlv"
   ],
   "venue": "allegiant-stadium",
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "The Rebels lost 37–19 to Nevada in the first college game at the new stadium.",
   "sources": [
    "w-unlv-fb",
    "w-allegiant"
   ],
   "evidence": "On October 31, 2020, the Rebels opened their new home, Allegiant Stadium, against Nevada, losing 37–19",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2020-unlv-allegiant"
  },
  {
   "id": "2020-nfr-arlington",
   "date": "2020-12",
   "title": "The NFR leaves Las Vegas — for one year",
   "sport": "rodeo",
   "topics": [
    "nfr"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "Pandemic restrictions sent the 2020 NFR to Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. It returned to the Thomas & Mack Center in 2021.",
   "sources": [
    "w-nfr"
   ],
   "evidence": "The NFR returned to the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas in 2021",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2020-nfr-arlington"
  },
  {
   "id": "2021-fleury-vezina",
   "date": "2021",
   "title": "Fleury wins the Vezina",
   "sport": "hockey",
   "teams": [
    "golden-knights"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "Marc-André Fleury won the Vezina Trophy and shared the Jennings Trophy with Robin Lehner for 2020–21.",
   "sources": [
    "w-fleury",
    "w-vgk"
   ],
   "evidence": "received the William M. Jennings Trophy and the Vezina Trophy in 2021",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2021-fleury-vezina"
  },
  {
   "id": "2021-hsk-debut",
   "date": "2021-02-06",
   "title": "The Henderson Silver Knights' first game",
   "sport": "hockey",
   "teams": [
    "silver-knights"
   ],
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "Vegas's AHL affiliate debuted a day after naming Patrick Brown its first captain, playing initially at Orleans Arena.",
   "sources": [
    "w-hsk"
   ],
   "evidence": "On February 5, 2021, the team named Patrick Brown as their first captain a day before their inaugural game",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2021-hsk-debut"
  },
  {
   "id": "2021-gold-cup-final",
   "date": "2021-08-01",
   "title": "Allegiant Stadium hosts the Gold Cup final",
   "sport": "soccer",
   "venue": "allegiant-stadium",
   "topics": [
    "big-games"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "The 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup final was played in Las Vegas.",
   "sources": [
    "w-allegiant"
   ],
   "evidence": "Allegiant Stadium hosted the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup final on August 1, 2021",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2021-gold-cup-final"
  },
  {
   "id": "2021-hammon-hired",
   "date": "2021-12-31",
   "title": "Becky Hammon takes over the Aces",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "teams": [
    "aces"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "Hammon was hired as head coach in a deal that made her the WNBA's highest-paid coach.",
   "sources": [
    "w-aces"
   ],
   "evidence": "On December 31, 2021, Becky Hammon was hired as head coach",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2021-hammon-hired"
  },
  {
   "id": "2022-knight-hawks",
   "date": "2022",
   "title": "The Vegas Knight Hawks begin play",
   "sport": "football",
   "teams": [
    "knight-hawks"
   ],
   "venue": "lees-family-forum",
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "Bill Foley's Indoor Football League team debuted at the new Henderson arena.",
   "sources": [
    "w-knighthawks"
   ],
   "evidence": "The Knight Hawks began play in 2022",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2022-knight-hawks"
  },
  {
   "id": "2022-aces-title",
   "date": "2022",
   "title": "The Aces win Las Vegas its first pro championship",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "teams": [
    "aces"
   ],
   "venue": "michelob-ultra-arena",
   "kind": "championship",
   "summary": "Las Vegas beat Phoenix, Seattle and then Connecticut in four games in the Finals — the first professional sports championship for the city. They also won the 2022 Commissioner's Cup.",
   "sources": [
    "w-aces",
    "w-wnbaf22"
   ],
   "evidence": "to win the franchise's first championship and the first professional sports championship for Las Vegas",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2022-aces-title"
  },
  {
   "id": "2022-nhl-all-star",
   "date": "2022-02-05",
   "title": "NHL All-Star Game at T-Mobile Arena",
   "sport": "hockey",
   "venue": "t-mobile-arena",
   "topics": [
    "big-games"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "Las Vegas hosted the NHL All-Star Game for the first time.",
   "sources": [
    "w-asg22"
   ],
   "evidence": "The 2022 National Hockey League All-Star Game was held on February 5, 2022, at T-Mobile Arena",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2022-nhl-all-star"
  },
  {
   "id": "2022-pro-bowl",
   "date": "2022-02-06",
   "title": "The Pro Bowl comes to Allegiant Stadium",
   "sport": "football",
   "venue": "allegiant-stadium",
   "topics": [
    "big-games"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "The 2022 Pro Bowl was played in Las Vegas, which hosted again in 2023 when the event became the flag-football Pro Bowl Games.",
   "sources": [
    "w-probowl22",
    "w-probowl23"
   ],
   "evidence": "It was played at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, on February 6, 2022",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2022-pro-bowl"
  },
  {
   "id": "2022-hsk-home-arena",
   "date": "2022-04-02",
   "title": "The Silver Knights move into their Henderson arena",
   "sport": "hockey",
   "teams": [
    "silver-knights"
   ],
   "venue": "lees-family-forum",
   "kind": "venue",
   "summary": "The first Silver Knights game at the new arena (then the Dollar Loan Center, now Lee's Family Forum) was played on April 2, 2022.",
   "sources": [
    "w-lees",
    "w-hsk"
   ],
   "evidence": "The first Silver Knights game played at the arena was on April 2, 2022",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2022-hsk-home-arena"
  },
  {
   "id": "2022-nfl-draft",
   "date": "2022-04-28",
   "title": "The NFL Draft comes to the Strip",
   "sport": "football",
   "topics": [
    "big-games"
   ],
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "The 2022 NFL Draft ran April 28–30 at Caesars Forum — the first draft held in Nevada.",
   "sources": [
    "w-draft22"
   ],
   "evidence": "It was the first draft to be held in the Las Vegas metropolitan area and the state of Nevada",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2022-nfl-draft"
  },
  {
   "id": "2023-aces-repeat",
   "date": "2023",
   "title": "Back-to-back for the Aces",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "teams": [
    "aces"
   ],
   "kind": "championship",
   "summary": "The Aces beat New York for a second straight title — the WNBA's first repeat champion since the 2001–02 Sparks. Wilson was Finals MVP.",
   "sources": [
    "w-aces",
    "w-ajawilson",
    "w-wnbaf23"
   ],
   "evidence": "becoming the first team to win back-to-back championships since 2001 and 2002",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2023-aces-repeat"
  },
  {
   "id": "2023-vgk-cup",
   "date": "2023-06-13",
   "title": "The Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup",
   "sport": "hockey",
   "teams": [
    "golden-knights"
   ],
   "venue": "t-mobile-arena",
   "kind": "championship",
   "summary": "Vegas beat Florida 9–3 in Game 5 at home — a record for goals in a Cup-clinching game. Jonathan Marchessault won the Conn Smythe. Owner Bill Foley's \"playoffs in three, Cup in six\" came true.",
   "sources": [
    "w-scf23",
    "w-vgk",
    "w-tmobile"
   ],
   "evidence": "Vegas' nine goals set a new record for goals scored in a Cup-clinching game",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2023-vgk-cup"
  },
  {
   "id": "2023-aces-tmobile",
   "date": "2023-09-10",
   "title": "The Aces draw 17,406 at T-Mobile Arena",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "teams": [
    "aces"
   ],
   "venue": "t-mobile-arena",
   "kind": "record",
   "summary": "The Aces' first game on the Strip's biggest indoor stage drew 17,406 against Phoenix.",
   "sources": [
    "w-tmobile"
   ],
   "evidence": "The team drew 17,406 spectators to their first game at T-Mobile Arena, played on September 10, 2023",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2023-aces-tmobile"
  },
  {
   "id": "2023-sphere-opens",
   "date": "2023-09-29",
   "title": "Sphere opens",
   "sport": "other",
   "venue": "sphere",
   "kind": "venue",
   "summary": "U2 opened the venue with a 40-show residency. Sphere sits along the Las Vegas Strip Circuit used by Formula One.",
   "sources": [
    "w-sphere",
    "w-strip-circuit"
   ],
   "evidence": "Sphere opened on September 29, 2023, with Irish rock band U2",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2023-sphere-opens"
  },
  {
   "id": "2023-as-approved",
   "date": "2023-11-16",
   "title": "MLB owners approve the A's move",
   "sport": "baseball",
   "teams": [
    "athletics"
   ],
   "venue": "athletics-ballpark",
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "Owners unanimously approved the Athletics' relocation to Las Vegas, months after Nevada passed the SB1 stadium-funding bill.",
   "sources": [
    "w-athletics",
    "w-as-reloc"
   ],
   "evidence": "On November 16, 2023, the Athletics' move to Las Vegas was unanimously approved by MLB team owners",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2023-as-approved"
  },
  {
   "id": "2023-first-lvgp",
   "date": "2023-11-18",
   "title": "Formula One returns — on the Strip",
   "sport": "motorsport",
   "topics": [
    "f1-las-vegas-grand-prix"
   ],
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "Max Verstappen won the first Las Vegas Grand Prix, a Saturday-night race on a 3.853-mile street circuit that includes the Strip. It was F1's first race in Las Vegas since 1982.",
   "sources": [
    "w-lvgp23",
    "w-lvgp"
   ],
   "evidence": "Max Verstappen therefore started second in, and ultimately won, the race",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2023-first-lvgp"
  },
  {
   "id": "2023-ist-final",
   "date": "2023-12-09",
   "title": "The first NBA Cup is decided in Las Vegas",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "venue": "t-mobile-arena",
   "topics": [
    "big-games",
    "nba-expansion"
   ],
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "The Lakers beat the Pacers in the In-Season Tournament championship at T-Mobile Arena, with LeBron James named MVP.",
   "sources": [
    "w-ist23",
    "w-nbacup"
   ],
   "evidence": "The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers in the championship game",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2023-ist-final"
  },
  {
   "id": "2024-winter-classic",
   "date": "2024-01-01",
   "title": "The Golden Knights play the Winter Classic in Seattle",
   "sport": "hockey",
   "teams": [
    "golden-knights"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "Vegas lost 3–0 to the Kraken at T-Mobile Park, the first shutout in Winter Classic history. (The game was in Seattle, not Las Vegas.)",
   "sources": [
    "w-vgk",
    "w-winter24"
   ],
   "evidence": "Vegas ultimately lost 3–0, becoming the first team to be shut out in the Winter Classic",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2024-winter-classic"
  },
  {
   "id": "2024-super-bowl",
   "date": "2024-02-11",
   "title": "Super Bowl LVIII — Nevada's first Super Bowl",
   "sport": "football",
   "venue": "allegiant-stadium",
   "topics": [
    "big-games"
   ],
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "The Chiefs beat the 49ers 25–22 in overtime at Allegiant Stadium in the longest Super Bowl ever played.",
   "sources": [
    "w-sb58"
   ],
   "evidence": "being the first Super Bowl to be held in the state of Nevada",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2024-super-bowl"
  },
  {
   "id": "2024-aces-sellout",
   "date": "2024-03-07",
   "title": "The Aces sell out season tickets",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "teams": [
    "aces"
   ],
   "kind": "record",
   "summary": "A day after unveiling new silver-and-black uniforms, the Aces announced the first season-ticket sellout in WNBA history.",
   "sources": [
    "w-aces"
   ],
   "evidence": "the first time in league history a team has sold out their season tickets",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2024-aces-sellout"
  },
  {
   "id": "2024-ufc-300",
   "date": "2024-04-13",
   "title": "UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena",
   "sport": "mma",
   "venue": "t-mobile-arena",
   "topics": [
    "ufc"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill headlined the milestone card, later voted the UFC's 2024 Event of the Year by fans.",
   "sources": [
    "w-ufc300"
   ],
   "evidence": "UFC 300: Pereira vs. Hill was a mixed martial arts event",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2024-ufc-300"
  },
  {
   "id": "2024-allegiant-football-record",
   "date": "2024-09-01",
   "title": "A college football record crowd at Allegiant",
   "sport": "football",
   "venue": "allegiant-stadium",
   "topics": [
    "big-games"
   ],
   "kind": "record",
   "summary": "LSU vs. USC in the Vegas Kickoff Classic drew 63,969, the stadium's football record.",
   "sources": [
    "w-allegiant"
   ],
   "evidence": "Football: 63,969",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2024-allegiant-football-record"
  },
  {
   "id": "2024-ufc-306-sphere",
   "date": "2024-09-14",
   "title": "UFC 306 becomes the first live sports event at Sphere",
   "sport": "mma",
   "venue": "sphere",
   "topics": [
    "ufc"
   ],
   "kind": "first",
   "summary": "The UFC staged UFC 306 inside Sphere, the venue's first live sporting event, a year after it opened.",
   "sources": [
    "w-sphere"
   ],
   "evidence": "The first live sporting event at Sphere was held on September 14, 2024",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2024-ufc-306-sphere"
  },
  {
   "id": "2024-pga-tour-ends",
   "date": "2024-10",
   "title": "The PGA Tour's Las Vegas run ends after 42 years",
   "sport": "golf",
   "topics": [
    "big-games"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "The Shriners Children's Open, held every October since 1983, played its final edition in 2024.",
   "sources": [
    "shriners-end"
   ],
   "evidence": "held annually each October in Las Vegas, Nevada, from 1983 to 2024",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2024-pga-tour-ends"
  },
  {
   "id": "2024-tropicana-demolished",
   "date": "2024-10-09",
   "title": "The Tropicana comes down for the A's ballpark",
   "sport": "baseball",
   "teams": [
    "athletics"
   ],
   "venue": "athletics-ballpark",
   "kind": "venue",
   "summary": "The resort closed April 2, 2024, after 57 years and was imploded in October to clear the ballpark site.",
   "sources": [
    "w-athletics",
    "w-as-reloc"
   ],
   "evidence": "was subsequently demolished on October 9, 2024",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2024-tropicana-demolished"
  },
  {
   "id": "2024-lvgp-russell",
   "date": "2024-11-23",
   "title": "Russell wins; the title is decided in Vegas",
   "sport": "motorsport",
   "topics": [
    "f1-las-vegas-grand-prix"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "George Russell led a Mercedes one-two. It was the third time a drivers' title was clinched in Las Vegas, after 1981 and 1982.",
   "sources": [
    "w-lvgp24"
   ],
   "evidence": "This was the third time that the drivers' title was decided in Las Vegas",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2024-lvgp-russell"
  },
  {
   "id": "2024-nba-cup-bucks",
   "date": "2024-12-17",
   "title": "The Bucks win the NBA Cup in Las Vegas",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "venue": "t-mobile-arena",
   "topics": [
    "big-games",
    "nba-expansion"
   ],
   "kind": "championship",
   "summary": "Milwaukee beat Oklahoma City in the second NBA Cup final, again at T-Mobile Arena.",
   "sources": [
    "w-nbacup"
   ],
   "evidence": "The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder to win the second NBA Cup championship game",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2024-nba-cup-bucks"
  },
  {
   "id": "2025-aviators-pcl",
   "date": "2025",
   "title": "The Aviators win the PCL championship",
   "sport": "baseball",
   "teams": [
    "aviators"
   ],
   "venue": "las-vegas-ballpark",
   "kind": "championship",
   "summary": "After a first-half title, Las Vegas won the franchise's third Pacific Coast League championship — its first as the Aviators.",
   "sources": [
    "w-aviators"
   ],
   "evidence": "and again in 2025 as the Aviators",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2025-aviators-pcl"
  },
  {
   "id": "2025-wrestlemania",
   "date": "2025-04-20",
   "title": "WrestleMania 41 draws 60,103",
   "sport": "other",
   "venue": "allegiant-stadium",
   "kind": "record",
   "summary": "WWE's biggest show set Allegiant Stadium's pro wrestling attendance record.",
   "sources": [
    "w-allegiant"
   ],
   "evidence": "Professional wrestling: 60,103",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2025-wrestlemania"
  },
  {
   "id": "2025-as-construction",
   "date": "2025-06",
   "title": "Construction begins on the A's Strip ballpark",
   "sport": "baseball",
   "teams": [
    "athletics"
   ],
   "venue": "athletics-ballpark",
   "kind": "venue",
   "summary": "Crews began building the ballpark on the former Tropicana site in June 2025.",
   "sources": [
    "sbj-as-cost",
    "rj-as-arch"
   ],
   "evidence": "Crews have been constructing the A’s Las Vegas Strip ballpark since June 2025",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2025-as-construction"
  },
  {
   "id": "2025-knight-hawks-title",
   "date": "2025-08-23",
   "title": "The Knight Hawks win the IFL championship",
   "sport": "football",
   "teams": [
    "knight-hawks"
   ],
   "kind": "championship",
   "summary": "Vegas beat the Green Bay Blizzard for the franchise's first Indoor Football League title.",
   "sources": [
    "w-knighthawks"
   ],
   "evidence": "winning the IFL National Championship for the 1st time in franchise history over the Green Bay Blizzard on August 23, 2025",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2025-knight-hawks-title"
  },
  {
   "id": "2025-canelo-crawford",
   "date": "2025-09-13",
   "title": "Canelo vs. Crawford draws 70,482",
   "sport": "boxing",
   "venue": "allegiant-stadium",
   "topics": [
    "boxing"
   ],
   "kind": "record",
   "summary": "Terence Crawford won the undisputed super middleweight title by unanimous decision. The crowd broke the Las Vegas boxing attendance record set in 1982.",
   "sources": [
    "w-canelo-crawford",
    "w-allegiant"
   ],
   "evidence": "70,482 people attended the event",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2025-canelo-crawford"
  },
  {
   "id": "2025-aces-third-title",
   "date": "2025-10-10",
   "title": "The Aces win a third title in four years",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "teams": [
    "aces"
   ],
   "kind": "championship",
   "summary": "Las Vegas swept Phoenix 4–0, closing it out 97–86 in Phoenix. Wilson won MVP, Finals MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and the scoring title in the same season.",
   "sources": [
    "w-aces",
    "w-ajawilson",
    "w-wnbaf25"
   ],
   "evidence": "The Las Vegas Aces won their third WNBA National Championship in four years on 10 October 2025",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2025-aces-third-title"
  },
  {
   "id": "2025-lvgp-verstappen",
   "date": "2025-11-22",
   "title": "Verstappen's second Las Vegas win",
   "sport": "motorsport",
   "topics": [
    "f1-las-vegas-grand-prix"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "Max Verstappen won from behind pole-sitter Lando Norris.",
   "sources": [
    "w-lvgp25"
   ],
   "evidence": "who took his second win in Las Vegas",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2025-lvgp-verstappen"
  },
  {
   "id": "2025-nba-cup-knicks",
   "date": "2025-12-16",
   "title": "The Knicks win the NBA Cup in Las Vegas",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "venue": "t-mobile-arena",
   "topics": [
    "big-games",
    "nba-expansion"
   ],
   "kind": "championship",
   "summary": "New York beat San Antonio in the third NBA Cup final at T-Mobile Arena, then beat the Spurs again in the 2026 NBA Finals.",
   "sources": [
    "w-nbacup"
   ],
   "evidence": "The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs to win the third NBA Cup championship game",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2025-nba-cup-knicks"
  },
  {
   "id": "2026-nba-explores-vegas",
   "date": "2026-03-25",
   "title": "The NBA formally explores Las Vegas expansion",
   "sport": "basketball",
   "topics": [
    "nba-expansion"
   ],
   "kind": "business",
   "summary": "The Board of Governors voted to authorize the league to explore expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle.",
   "sources": [
    "nba-expansion-official"
   ],
   "evidence": "voted to authorize the league to formally explore potential team expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2026-nba-explores-vegas"
  },
  {
   "id": "2026-frozen-four",
   "date": "2026-04-09",
   "title": "The Frozen Four comes to T-Mobile Arena",
   "sport": "hockey",
   "venue": "t-mobile-arena",
   "topics": [
    "big-games"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "The arena hosted the NCAA men's ice hockey Frozen Four April 9–11, 2026.",
   "sources": [
    "w-tmobile"
   ],
   "evidence": "The arena also hosted the Frozen Four of the 2026 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament from April 9 to 11, 2026",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2026-frozen-four"
  },
  {
   "id": "2026-pwhl-awarded",
   "date": "2026-05-13",
   "title": "The PWHL awards Las Vegas a team",
   "sport": "hockey",
   "teams": [
    "pwhl-las-vegas"
   ],
   "venue": "t-mobile-arena",
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "The league added Las Vegas for 2026–27, playing at T-Mobile Arena in green and gold.",
   "sources": [
    "w-pwhl-lv",
    "w-tmobile"
   ],
   "evidence": "The team's founding and entry into the PWHL was announced on May 13, 2026",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2026-pwhl-awarded"
  },
  {
   "id": "2026-lvgp-extension",
   "date": "2026-06-04",
   "title": "The Las Vegas Grand Prix is extended through 2037",
   "sport": "motorsport",
   "topics": [
    "f1-las-vegas-grand-prix"
   ],
   "kind": "business",
   "summary": "Formula One and Las Vegas extended their agreement through 2037.",
   "sources": [
    "w-lvgp"
   ],
   "evidence": "On June 4, 2026, it was announced that the Las Vegas Grand Prix would remain on the Formula One calendar until 2037",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2026-lvgp-extension"
  },
  {
   "id": "2026-vgk-cup-final",
   "date": "2026-06-14",
   "title": "Vegas reaches a third Stanley Cup Final",
   "sport": "hockey",
   "teams": [
    "golden-knights"
   ],
   "venue": "t-mobile-arena",
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "After sweeping the Presidents' Trophy-winning Avalanche in the West final, the Golden Knights lost the Final to Carolina in six games.",
   "sources": [
    "w-scf26",
    "w-vgk-2526"
   ],
   "evidence": "with the Hurricanes defeating the Golden Knights four games to two",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2026-vgk-cup-final"
  },
  {
   "id": "2026-lights-farewell",
   "date": "2026-08-13",
   "title": "Lights FC announce their farewell to Cashman Field",
   "sport": "soccer",
   "teams": [
    "lights-fc"
   ],
   "venue": "cashman-field",
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "The club confirmed that 2026 is its final season at Cashman, with the last regular-season home game set for October 17 against Lexington SC.",
   "sources": [
    "lights-farewell",
    "w-cashman",
    "w-lights"
   ],
   "evidence": "On August 13, 2026, the Lights confirmed that the team would be vacating Cashman Field at the end of the 2026 USL Championship season",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2026-lights-farewell"
  },
  {
   "id": "2026-raiders-3-0",
   "date": "2026-09-27",
   "title": "The Raiders start 3–0 for the first time since 2021",
   "sport": "football",
   "teams": [
    "raiders"
   ],
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "In Klint Kubiak's first season, a 35–27 win at New Orleans made it three straight to open the year.",
   "sources": [
    "w-raiders-2026",
    "espn-raiders"
   ],
   "evidence": "With the win, the Raiders secured their first 3–0 start since 2021",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2026-raiders-3-0"
  },
  {
   "id": "2026-briscoe-south-point",
   "date": "2026-10-04",
   "title": "Chase Briscoe wins the South Point 400",
   "sport": "motorsport",
   "venue": "las-vegas-motor-speedway",
   "kind": "milestone",
   "summary": "Briscoe swept both stages and led 175 of 267 laps in Las Vegas's fall NASCAR Cup Series Chase race.",
   "sources": [
    "nascar-briscoe",
    "lvms-southpoint"
   ],
   "evidence": "leading a race best 175 of the 267 laps",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2026-briscoe-south-point"
  },
  {
   "id": "2026-as-arch",
   "date": "2026-10-07",
   "title": "The A's ballpark reaches its highest point",
   "sport": "baseball",
   "teams": [
    "athletics"
   ],
   "venue": "athletics-ballpark",
   "kind": "venue",
   "summary": "Crews completed the third steel roof-truss arch, about 290 feet tall. The A's said the project remains on schedule.",
   "sources": [
    "rj-as-arch"
   ],
   "evidence": "marking the tallest point of the $2.1 billion stadium",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2026-as-arch"
  },
  {
   "id": "2026-lights-final-cashman",
   "date": "2026-10-17",
   "title": "Upcoming: Lights FC's last game at Cashman Field",
   "sport": "soccer",
   "teams": [
    "lights-fc"
   ],
   "venue": "cashman-field",
   "kind": "upcoming",
   "summary": "Las Vegas Lights FC vs. Lexington SC is scheduled as the club's final regular-season match at Cashman Field.",
   "sources": [
    "lights-farewell",
    "espn-lights"
   ],
   "evidence": "culminating in the last-ever professional sports game at Cashman on October 17",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2026-lights-final-cashman"
  },
  {
   "id": "2026-lvgp",
   "date": "2026-11-21",
   "title": "Upcoming: the 2026 Las Vegas Grand Prix",
   "sport": "motorsport",
   "topics": [
    "f1-las-vegas-grand-prix"
   ],
   "kind": "upcoming",
   "summary": "Round 21 of the 2026 Formula One season is a Saturday-night race on the Las Vegas Strip Circuit.",
   "sources": [
    "w-f1-2026",
    "f1-lv-2026"
   ],
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2026-lvgp"
  },
  {
   "id": "2026-nfr",
   "date": "2026-12-03",
   "title": "Upcoming: the 2026 NFR, Dec. 3–12",
   "sport": "rodeo",
   "venue": "thomas-mack-center",
   "topics": [
    "nfr"
   ],
   "kind": "upcoming",
   "summary": "The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo returns to the Thomas & Mack Center for ten nights. Las Vegas has an agreement to keep the NFR through 2035.",
   "sources": [
    "nfr-2026",
    "w-nfr"
   ],
   "evidence": "2026 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas | December 3-12",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2026-nfr"
  },
  {
   "id": "2026-pwhl-opener",
   "date": "2026-12-06",
   "title": "Upcoming: PWHL Las Vegas's first home game",
   "sport": "hockey",
   "teams": [
    "pwhl-las-vegas"
   ],
   "venue": "t-mobile-arena",
   "kind": "upcoming",
   "summary": "PWHL Las Vegas hosts PWHL Detroit at T-Mobile Arena.",
   "sources": [
    "pwhl-lv-opener"
   ],
   "evidence": "Sunday, Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. PT against PWHL Detroit",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2026-pwhl-opener"
  },
  {
   "id": "2027-cfp-title-game",
   "date": "2027-01",
   "title": "Upcoming: the College Football Playoff title game",
   "sport": "football",
   "venue": "allegiant-stadium",
   "topics": [
    "big-games"
   ],
   "kind": "upcoming",
   "summary": "Allegiant Stadium is scheduled to host the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2027.",
   "sources": [
    "w-allegiant"
   ],
   "evidence": "will host the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2027",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2027-cfp-title-game"
  },
  {
   "id": "2028-as-ballpark-target",
   "date": "2028-02",
   "title": "Upcoming: target completion for the A's ballpark",
   "sport": "baseball",
   "teams": [
    "athletics"
   ],
   "venue": "athletics-ballpark",
   "kind": "upcoming",
   "summary": "As of September 2026 the ballpark \"remains on time\" for a February 29, 2028 completion, with the cost now put at $2.1 billion.",
   "sources": [
    "sbj-as-cost",
    "rj-as-arch"
   ],
   "evidence": "remains on time” for a Feb. 29, 2028 completion date",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2028-as-ballpark-target"
  },
  {
   "id": "2029-super-bowl-lxiii",
   "date": "2029-02-11",
   "title": "Upcoming: Super Bowl LXIII returns to Allegiant",
   "sport": "football",
   "venue": "allegiant-stadium",
   "topics": [
    "big-games"
   ],
   "kind": "upcoming",
   "summary": "Las Vegas is scheduled to host its second Super Bowl.",
   "sources": [
    "w-allegiant"
   ],
   "evidence": "Allegiant Stadium will host Super Bowl LXIII on February 11, 2029",
   "url": "https://vegasfans.com/timeline/#2029-super-bowl-lxiii"
  }
 ]
}