Michelob Ultra Arena: Guide for Visiting Fans

Michelob Ultra Arena is located within the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. There's no light rail or subway to speak of, but you have three solid options.

The most useful public transit is the RTC Deuce, a double-decker bus that runs 24/7 on the Strip. The Deuce on the Strip runs from the South Strip Transit Terminal all the way up to the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas. The stop is directly at Mandalay Bay on Las Vegas Boulevard. From 7:00 AM to 1:00 AM, there's a bus every 10 to 15 minutes; between 1:00 AM and 7:00 AM, expect one approximately every 20 minutes. Fares run around $7 for a 2-hour pass or $10 for a 24-hour pass — buy it via the rideRTC app or at a stop kiosk.

If you're already at Excalibur or Luxor, don't bother with the bus. The free Mandalay Bay Tram connects Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and Excalibur. It's the easiest zero-cost option on the south Strip and drops you essentially at the resort's front door.

Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is about 2 miles from Mandalay Bay — a 10-minute rideshare on a good day, 20+ minutes in traffic. Rideshare drop-off is available at the Mandalay Bay Porte Cochère and South Beach Level. From the airport, rideshare is your cleanest option; expect $12–20 depending on surge.

Parking near Mandalay Bay is controlled almost entirely by MGM Resorts, and they raised rates in late 2024. The current daily rates for visitor self-parking are $20 Monday through Thursday and $25 Friday through Sunday; hotel guests pay $20 per day. Valet runs $40 for both visitors and hotel guests.

The Mandalay Bay self-parking garage is the closest option, but it's not the smartest play. The Las Vegas Aces strongly advise fans to purchase parking in advance for quicker entry and savings on parking rates; you must purchase at least one day in advance to receive the pre-paid rate.

For Excalibur Self-Parking, the pre-paid parking rate is valid up until tip-off. Excalibur parking runs about $10 — the best nearby value. It's a 10–12 minute walk through the tram connector, which is covered and air-conditioned. Highly recommended. MGM Rewards members who have reached at least Pearl status are entitled to free self-parking benefits. If you have any MGM Rewards status at all, that's worth checking before you pay.

Your best options are all MGM properties, because the arena is literally inside one. Mandalay Bay itself is the obvious pick — you can walk to the arena in under five minutes from your room, no Uber required, which matters a lot in Las Vegas heat. The resort fee is steep ( the daily resort fee at Mandalay Bay is now $50 ), but the convenience is real.

Luxor and Excalibur, both connected by the free tram, are notably cheaper and fine for a sports trip. Luxor skews budget-to-mid-range with that gimmicky pyramid energy; Excalibur is the no-frills option that gets the job done. Neither will win design awards, but you're here for basketball, not a staycation.

If you want off-Strip rates and don't mind a 10-minute Uber, the Henderson corridor has newer, quieter hotels with free parking and no casino noise — useful if you're bringing family or just want to sleep properly. For mid-range Strip options, New York-New York and Park MGM are both a short tram ride or 15-minute walk north and have more interesting F&B scenes.

Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar (inside Mandalay Bay) is your game-day home base. Located at the entrance to the Shoppes at Mandalay Place, just steps from the arena, Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar is recognized as the best sports bar on the Las Vegas Strip. Tons of screens, solid wings, and a crowd that actually watches sports — arrive an hour before tip-off to grab a spot.

Ri Ra Irish Pub (Shoppes at Mandalay Place) is the calmer alternative when Flanker is packed. Happy hour runs 3–6 p.m. daily with deals including $6 Carlsberg and Heineken beers and $6 house wines. It's a proper Irish pub transplanted into a shopping corridor, which sounds absurd but works fine as a pre-game spot.

House of Blues (Mandalay Bay) is right at the entrance to Mandalay Place and makes a solid pre-game dinner stop. Sit at the bar for faster service; the Southern-leaning menu holds up.

Hussong's Mexican Cantina (Shoppes at Mandalay Place) is an officially recommended Aces pre-game spot. Hussong's and Slice of Vegas are both located inside the Shoppes at Mandalay Place, just steps away from the arena. Hussong's is lively, loud, and won't break the bank — the right energy before a night game.

The bag policy here is stricter than most WNBA venues but simpler than NFL clear-bag rules. No bags or backpacks are permitted except for small personal bags measuring 9″ × 5″ × 2″ max. Bags do not need to be transparent — fanny packs, crossbody bags, and clear stadium bags are all permitted as long as they are within the size requirements.

Doors open approximately 60 minutes prior to the event start time, though this can vary by event. The arena entrance is not at the resort's main hotel entrance — from the front desk area, walk past KUMI toward Stripsteak, follow the walkway around past Starbucks, and take the first right down the long hallway toward the Michelob Ultra Arena entrance. If it's your first visit, budget an extra 10 minutes to navigate the casino floor — it's a sprawling property.

The arena is primarily a cashless venue; all major credit cards are accepted. Also: outside food and drinks are prohibited.

Michelob Ultra Arena is ADA accessible, offering accommodations such as accessible seating, elevators, ramps, and assistive listening devices available at Guest Services. The venue offers accessible seating in all price levels; contact the box office at 877-632-7400 for accessible seating assistance.

The arena's indoor location within Mandalay Bay is actually an advantage for accessibility — the resort has elevators throughout, smooth flooring on the casino level, and a generally navigable path from the parking garage. If you're arriving by rideshare, the Porte Cochère drop-off is on ground level with direct resort access. For specific accommodation needs, contact the arena's Guest Services desk before arrival — assistive listening devices are available and should be reserved ahead for larger events.

Sections 101–119 wrap around the arena's lower bowl, offering good views of the action from close range. This is a 12,000-seat arena, so even the upper deck is not far from the floor. Inside, the arena is compact with strong sightlines, creating a loud and energetic environment.

There is no official designated away fan section for WNBA games — seating is mixed throughout. If you want to be among your own kind, coordinate with fellow traveling fans and grab a cluster of tickets together in the upper corners (sections 201–227), which tend to have lower prices and a slightly more neutral atmosphere. The lower sections behind the baskets (around sections 108–112 and 116–119) offer solid sightlines for basketball at a mid-range price. Avoid the very top rows of the upper corners if you have any vertigo concerns — the incline is steep on the sides in the upper sections.

Concessions include hot dogs, pizza, popcorn, and BBQ, as well as desserts like snow cones and soft-serve ice cream; alcoholic beverages are also available. Expect Las Vegas pricing — beers run roughly $14–18 and a basic meal combo will set you back $20–25. The arena is primarily cashless , so leave the cash in your pocket and have a card ready at every stand. Outside food and drinks are not permitted, so eat at Flanker or Hussong's beforehand if you want to save some money.

The Aces fanbase is one of the most engaged in the WNBA, and they will let you know it — but this isn't a hostile crowd. Las Vegas sports fans are friendly in that Vegas way: happy you showed up, happy everyone's having fun, not particularly invested in making your night miserable. The arena itself is intimate and loud when full, and the Aces sell it out regularly. One thing that genuinely catches away visitors off guard: the walk through the casino to reach the arena is both longer and more disorienting than you expect. You will walk past slot machines, a steak restaurant, a coffee shop, and a hallway that looks like it leads nowhere before you arrive. Follow the signs carefully and give yourself extra time. The payoff is that once you're inside, the sightlines are excellent from almost every seat and the arena has a proper enclosed energy that many newer open-plan venues have lost.

Transit (Deuce bus): The Deuce stop on Las Vegas Boulevard is about a 5-minute walk from the arena entrance — exit through the casino, out to the Strip, and head to the bus shelter. The Deuce runs 24 hours a day, with buses every 10 to 15 minutes during peak hours. The bus will be packed immediately after the final buzzer. Wait 15–20 minutes inside Mandalay Bay — grab a drink at the bar — and catch a much less crowded bus.

Driving: Self-parking is $20 on weekdays and $25 on weekends at Mandalay Bay. The Mandalay Bay garage is the slowest to exit post-game because everyone is using it simultaneously. If you parked at Excalibur, the exit via Tropicana Avenue clears faster than the Strip-facing exits. Expect 20–35 minutes to reach a moving road after a sold-out game. Exit west on Tropicana rather than north on Las Vegas Boulevard — the Strip will be gridlocked.

Rideshare: Rideshare pickup is available at the Mandalay Bay Porte Cochère and South Beach Level. Surge will hit immediately after the final buzzer. The smart move: walk a block or two south on Las Vegas Boulevard toward Russell Road, away from the main resort entrance, and request your Lyft or Uber there. You'll get a driver faster and likely avoid the surge premium. Wait 20 minutes before even opening the app.

Best tip: The Mandalay Bay casino floor doesn't close. The bars don't close. Order one more drink, watch the post-game crowd thin out, and leave 25 minutes after the final whistle — you'll have a meaningfully better experience getting out than the people who sprinted for the exits.

How do I get to Michelob Ultra Arena without a car? The RTC Deuce bus stops directly at Mandalay Bay on Las Vegas Boulevard and runs 24/7, every 10–15 minutes during game hours. If you're already at Luxor or Excalibur, take the free resort tram — it's the easiest option on the south Strip.

What is the bag policy at Michelob Ultra Arena?

No bags or backpacks are permitted except for small personal bags measuring 9″ × 5″ × 2″ max. Bags do not need to be transparent; fanny packs, crossbody bags, and clear stadium bags are all permitted within the size limit.

How much does parking cost at Michelob Ultra Arena?

Visitor self-parking at Mandalay Bay is $20 Monday–Thursday and $25 Friday–Sunday. Excalibur parking is the cheaper alternative at roughly $10 pre-paid via ParkMobile, with a free tram connection to the resort.

What time do gates open for Las Vegas Aces games?

Doors typically open approximately 60 minutes before the event start time. Arrive early — the walk through the casino floor to the arena entrance takes longer than you'd expect.

What are the best seats for away fans? There's no designated away section. Upper bowl sections 201–227 offer good sightlines and lower prices; the lower corner sections around 108–112 and 116–119 are excellent value for mid-range tickets. Coordinate with your group and buy seats together.

Is Michelob Ultra Arena cashless?

Yes — the arena is primarily cashless. All major credit cards are accepted. Bring a card; don't rely on cash.

How far is Las Vegas airport from Michelob Ultra Arena? Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is approximately 2 miles from Mandalay Bay — about a 10-minute rideshare in light traffic, potentially 20 minutes during congested periods.

Can I bring food or drinks into Michelob Ultra Arena?

No — outside food and drinks are prohibited. Eat at Flanker, Hussong's, or Ri Ra in the Shoppes at Mandalay Place before heading in, or budget for in-arena concession prices.