Stadium (closed) · Closed

Sam Boyd Stadium

Sam Boyd Stadium, at 7000 East Russell Road in Whitney, was UNLV football's home from 1971 to 2019 and hosted the Las Vegas Bowl from 1992 to 2019. It opened Oct. 23, 1971 as Las Vegas Stadium and closed Dec. 19, 2020, after UNLV and the Las Vegas Bowl moved to Allegiant Stadium. [1][2]

Last checked Oct. 8, 2026

Address7000 East Russell Road, Whitney, NV [1]
OpenedOct. 23, 1971 [1]
ClosedDec. 19, 2020 [1]
Capacity36,800 [1]
OwnerLas Vegas Stadium Authority [1]
Home teamsUNLV Rebels [1]

Why remember Sam Boyd?

For nearly half a century it was where Las Vegas played big outdoor football, from UNLV to the CFL's Posse and the XFL's Outlaws [1][3][4]. Its future was left to UNLV, which considered selling, swapping, demolishing or remodeling it [1].

Sam Boyd Stadium history timeline

  1. 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.[5][1]

    UNLV · Sam Boyd Stadium · permalink
  2. SoccerApril 9, 1977
    The Las Vegas Quicksilvers open against the Cosmos

    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.[6]

    Sam Boyd Stadium · permalink
  3. Football1992
    The first Las Vegas Bowl

    The bowl debuted at Sam Boyd Stadium, where it stayed through 2019 before moving to Allegiant Stadium.[7][1]

    Sam Boyd Stadium · permalink
  4. FootballJuly 8, 1994
    The CFL's Las Vegas Posse make history (briefly)

    The Posse hosted the Sacramento Gold Miners in the first CFL game between two American teams. The franchise lasted one season.[3]

    Sam Boyd Stadium · permalink
  5. Football1995
    Major college football's first overtime game

    Toledo beat Nevada 40–37 in the Las Vegas Bowl, the first overtime game in Division I-A college football.[7]

    Sam Boyd Stadium · permalink
  6. Football2000
    UNLV wins the Las Vegas Bowl

    Robinson's Rebels beat Arkansas 31–14 in their hometown bowl.[5]

    UNLV · Sam Boyd Stadium · permalink
  7. FootballFeb. 3, 2001
    The XFL's Las Vegas Outlaws host the league's first national TV game

    The Outlaws hosted the New York/New Jersey Hitmen on NBC in the XFL's first nationally televised game. The league lasted one season.[4][8]

    Sam Boyd Stadium · permalink
  8. Football2009
    The Las Vegas Locomotives win the first UFL title

    The Locos beat the previously unbeaten Florida Tuskers to become the United Football League's first champions.[9]

    Sam Boyd Stadium · permalink
  9. 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.[5][1]

    UNLV · Sam Boyd Stadium · permalink

Frequently asked questions

What were Sam Boyd Stadium's other names?

Las Vegas Stadium (1971–1978), Las Vegas Silver Bowl (1978–1984) and Sam Boyd Silver Bowl (1984–1994). It became Sam Boyd Stadium on April 26, 1994. [1]

What was the last Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd?

On Dec. 21, 2019, Washington beat Boise State 38–7. [1]

Who played at Sam Boyd Stadium?

UNLV football (1971–2019), the NASL's Quicksilvers (1977), the CFL's Las Vegas Posse (1994) and the XFL's Las Vegas Outlaws (2001), among others. [1][3][4]

Get the Thursday edition

The week's Vegas games, what changed and what's coming. One email a week. (Preview list: test signups only until launch.)

No spam. Privacy.

Sources

  1. Sam Boyd Stadium — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  2. Allegiant Stadium — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  3. Las Vegas Posse — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  4. Las Vegas Outlaws (XFL) — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  5. UNLV Rebels football — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  6. Las Vegas Quicksilvers — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  7. Las Vegas Bowl — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  8. Oakland Raiders relocation to Las Vegas — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  9. Las Vegas Locomotives — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.