Arena

Thomas & Mack Center

The Thomas & Mack Center is UNLV's 17,923-seat basketball arena at 4505 South Maryland Parkway. It opened in 1983, hosts the National Finals Rodeo every December, and in 2007 became the first arena to host an NBA All-Star Game in a city without an NBA team. [1]

Last checked Oct. 8, 2026

Address4505 South Maryland Parkway, Paradise, NV (UNLV campus) [1]
OpenedDec. 16, 1983 [1]
Capacity17,923 for basketball; 18,645 for boxing [1]
OwnerUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas [1]
Home teamsUNLV Rebels [1]

What's coming up at Thomas & Mack Center?

Why is the Thomas & Mack sacred ground for Vegas fans?

It's where UNLV's Runnin' Rebels became a national power. They have played here since 1983, and the 1990 national champions called it home [1][4]. It has hosted the NFR since 1985, the Mountain West tournaments every year since 2007, and the 2007 NBA All-Star Game [1]. It also hosted the Arena Football League's ArenaBowl in 2005 and 2006 [1].

Thomas & Mack Center history timeline

  1. 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.[1][5]

    UNLV · Thomas & Mack Center · permalink
  2. Basketball1984
    Kareem breaks the career scoring record in Las Vegas

    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.[1]

    Thomas & Mack Center · permalink
  3. RodeoDecember 1985
    The National Finals Rodeo moves to Las Vegas

    After Las Vegas bid for the event in 1984, the NFR began its December run at the Thomas & Mack Center in 1985.[6][1]

    Thomas & Mack Center · permalink
  4. Hockey1993
    The Las Vegas Thunder bring pro hockey to town

    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.[7]

    Thomas & Mack Center · permalink
  5. Basketball2004
    NBA Summer League launches at UNLV

    The Las Vegas Summer League started with six teams at the Thomas & Mack Center. Since 2018, all 30 NBA teams take part.[8]

    Thomas & Mack Center · permalink
  6. 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.[5]

    UNLV · Thomas & Mack Center · permalink
  7. Basketball2007
    Mountain West tournaments settle in at the Thomas & Mack

    The conference's men's and women's basketball tournaments have been played at the arena every year since 2007.[1][9]

    Thomas & Mack Center · permalink
  8. BasketballFeb. 18, 2007
    The NBA All-Star Game comes to a city without a team

    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.[10][1]

    Thomas & Mack Center · permalink
  9. RodeoDec. 3, 2026 · Upcoming
    Upcoming: the 2026 NFR, Dec. 3–12

    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.[3][6]

    Thomas & Mack Center · permalink

Frequently asked questions

When did the Thomas & Mack Center open?

The facility first opened in summer 1983. Its gala grand opening was Dec. 16, 1983, with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Diana Ross. [1]

Is the NFR at the Thomas & Mack?

Yes. The 2026 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo runs Dec. 3–12, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center. The arena has hosted the NFR each December since 1985. [3][1]

What NBA history happened here?

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar broke Wilt Chamberlain's career scoring record here in 1984, during a Utah Jazz home game. The arena also hosted the 2007 NBA All-Star Game. [1]

Where's the bag policy and parking info?

On the arena's official site: the bag policy and parking pages. [11][12]

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Sources

  1. Thomas & Mack Center — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  2. 2026–27 men's basketball schedule announced — UNLV Athletics. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  3. Experience the 2026 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, December 3–12 — Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  4. 1990 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  5. UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  6. National Finals Rodeo — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  7. Las Vegas Thunder — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  8. NBA Summer League — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  9. Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournament — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  10. 2007 NBA All-Star Game — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  11. Thomas & Mack Center bag policy — Thomas & Mack Center. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  12. Thomas & Mack Center parking — Thomas & Mack Center. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.