NCAA · Mountain West

UNLV Rebels

UNLV is Las Vegas's college team. Jerry Tarkanian's Runnin' Rebels won the 1990 NCAA basketball championship. UNLV football now plays at Allegiant Stadium under second-year coach Dan Mullen. [1][2][3]

Last checked Oct. 8, 2026

ConferenceMountain West [3]
Football homeAllegiant Stadium [4]
Basketball homeThomas & Mack Center [5]
National title1990 NCAA men's basketball [2]
Final Fours4 (1977, 1987, 1990, 1991) [6]
2026 football coachDan Mullen, second year [3]
2026 football so far3–2: wins at Hawaii (21–6) and Akron (38–10) and over Cal (39–31); losses to Memphis and at North Texas [7]

When is the next UNLV game?

  • Sat, Oct 10 · 4 p.m. PTNorth Dakota State at UNLV (Homecoming)[7][8]Allegiant Stadium · UNLV
  • Sat, Oct 17 · 12:30 p.m. PTUNLV at Air Force[7]Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs · UNLV
  • Sat, Oct 24 · Time TBAUNLV men's basketball exhibition vs. BYU[9]Venue TBA · UNLV · Home exhibition; time and building to be confirmed on the official schedule.
  • Thu, Oct 29 · Time TBAUNLV men's basketball exhibition vs. Missouri[9]Venue TBA · UNLV · Home exhibition; time to be confirmed.
  • Sat, Oct 31 · 7:30 p.m. PTNorthern Illinois at UNLV[7]Allegiant Stadium · UNLV
  • Tue, Nov 3 · Time TBAUNLV men's basketball opener vs. Northern Arizona[9]Thomas & Mack Center · UNLV

Why are the Runnin' Rebels a big part of Vegas sports history?

Before Las Vegas had major-league teams, it had Jerry Tarkanian's Rebels [1]. In 1977, seven years after joining Division I, UNLV reached its first Final Four with the "Hardway Eight" [6]. UNLV moved into the new Thomas & Mack Center for the 1983–84 season [6]. In 1990 it won the national championship, beating Duke 103–73 [2].

What about UNLV football?

The program played its first game on September 14, 1968 [4]. It now plays at Allegiant Stadium [4] and is in Dan Mullen's second season in 2026 [3]. The rivalry game with Nevada is played for the Fremont Cannon [3]. This season's game is Saturday, Nov. 28, at home [7].

Getting there

Where do fans watch UNLV games?

Verification in progress. We list a bar or watch party only after confirming it with the venue. Suggest a spot.

UNLV history timeline

  1. Basketball1966
    UNLV basketball moves into the Rotunda

    The Rebels began playing at the Rotunda, a silver-domed 6,300-seat arena inside the Las Vegas Convention Center.[6]

    UNLV · permalink
  2. FootballSept. 14, 1968
    UNLV football plays its first season

    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.[4]

    UNLV · permalink
  3. FootballOct. 23, 1971
    Las Vegas Stadium (later Sam Boyd) opens

    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.[4][13]

    UNLV · Sam Boyd Stadium · permalink
  4. BasketballMarch 23, 1973
    UNLV hires Jerry Tarkanian

    The former Long Beach State coach arrived at a program locals had nicknamed "Tumbleweed Tech" and coached the Runnin' Rebels until 1992.[6][1]

    UNLV · permalink
  5. Football1974
    UNLV football goes 11–0

    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.[4]

    UNLV · permalink
  6. Basketball1977
    The "Hardway Eight" reach the Final Four

    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.[6]

    UNLV · permalink
  7. BasketballDec. 16, 1983
    Thomas & Mack Center's gala opening

    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.[5][6]

    UNLV · Thomas & Mack Center · permalink
  8. Basketball1987
    UNLV's 37–1 run ends in the Final Four

    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.[1][6]

    UNLV · permalink
  9. BasketballApril 2, 1990
    UNLV wins the national championship, 103–73

    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.[2][6][1]

    UNLV · permalink
  10. Basketball1991
    34–0 UNLV falls to Duke in the Final Four

    The defending champions entered Indianapolis unbeaten, winning by an average of 27.3 points, before a 79–77 semifinal loss to Duke.[6][1]

    UNLV · permalink
  11. Basketball1991
    Larry Johnson goes No. 1 overall

    UNLV's Larry Johnson was the first overall pick in the 1991 NBA draft — one of 39 Tarkanian players drafted into the NBA.[1]

    UNLV · permalink
  12. Basketball1992
    Tarkanian's UNLV era ends

    Tarkanian was forced to resign after 19 seasons and a 509–105 record at UNLV.[6]

    UNLV · permalink
  13. Football1999
    UNLV helps found the Mountain West

    UNLV left the WAC with seven other schools to form the Mountain West Conference and hired John Robinson as football coach.[4]

    UNLV · permalink
  14. Football2000
    UNLV wins the Las Vegas Bowl

    Robinson's Rebels beat Arkansas 31–14 in their hometown bowl.[4]

    UNLV · Sam Boyd Stadium · permalink
  15. BasketballNov. 26, 2005
    The floor becomes Jerry Tarkanian Court

    The Thomas & Mack Center court was renamed for the coach who went 509–105 in 19 seasons.[6]

    UNLV · Thomas & Mack Center · permalink
  16. BasketballJune 2013
    Anthony Bennett goes No. 1 overall

    Bennett became the first Rebel picked first overall since 1991.[6]

    UNLV · permalink
  17. FootballNov. 23, 2019
    UNLV says goodbye to Sam Boyd Stadium

    The Rebels beat San Jose State 38–35 in their last home game at the stadium.[4][13]

    UNLV · Sam Boyd Stadium · permalink
  18. FootballOct. 31, 2020
    UNLV debuts at Allegiant Stadium

    The Rebels lost 37–19 to Nevada in the first college game at the new stadium.[4][14]

    UNLV · Allegiant Stadium · permalink

Frequently asked questions

Did UNLV win a national championship?

Yes. UNLV beat Duke 103–73 in the 1990 NCAA championship game. It is the only time a team has scored 100 points in an NCAA championship game. [2]

How many Final Fours has UNLV made?

Four. The first came in 1977, just seven years after UNLV joined Division I. [6]

Where does UNLV football play?

At Allegiant Stadium, which it shares with the Raiders. The program began on September 14, 1968. [4]

When is the next UNLV football home game?

Homecoming against North Dakota State on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. PT at Allegiant Stadium. [7][8]

When does UNLV basketball start in 2026–27?

The regular season opens Tuesday, Nov. 3, against Northern Arizona at the Thomas & Mack Center. Home exhibitions are against Utah (Oct. 7), BYU (Oct. 24) and Missouri (Oct. 29). [9]

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Sources

  1. Jerry Tarkanian — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  2. 1990 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  3. 2026 UNLV Rebels football team — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  4. UNLV Rebels football — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  5. Thomas & Mack Center — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  6. UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  7. UNLV Rebels 2026 football schedule — ESPN. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  8. UNLV football schedule — UNLV Athletics. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  9. 2026–27 men's basketball schedule announced — UNLV Athletics. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  10. Thomas & Mack Center parking — Thomas & Mack Center. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  11. Thomas & Mack Center bag policy — Thomas & Mack Center. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  12. Allegiant Stadium bag check & policy — Allegiant Stadium. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  13. Sam Boyd Stadium — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  14. Allegiant Stadium — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.