The third annual Formula One and solid convention business and drive-in traffic from southern California helped Las Vegas narrow its decline in visitation in November.
Las Vegas welcomed 3.14 million visitors in November, a 172,000 decline of 5.2% from the 3.31 million in November 2024. It’s the second month in a row visitation has been down in the 4%-5% range after facing steeper declines over the summer. Resorts and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority have promoted deals to lure visitors amid a narrative that tourism is down because the city is overpriced.
More than 300,000 attended the F1 race over the weekend; an estimated 150,000 visited the city who wouldn’t have come otherwise.
For the year, Las Vegas has seen about 2.8 million fewer visitors than it had through November 2024, a decline of 7.4%, after it was nearly 8% through September. The 35.4 million visitors compared to 38.2 million a year ago. Convention attendance at 5.68 million is down only about 47,000, according to the LVCVA.
Las Vegas visitation was helped by vehicle traffic from southern California rising 2.5% in November after being down 1.6% for the year.
Some 345,000 people were expected in Las Vegas for the New Year’s Eve festivities. Gaming analysts and casino executives have forecast a rebound in 2026 from strong convention bookings and possible improvement in the economy.
Las Vegas had 547,000 convention visitors in November, only 1,200 fewer than November 2024. The SEMA automotive aftermarket-industry tradeshow attracted 160,000 visitors. The Raiders also had three home games in November, attracting the majority of fans from out of state.
Among other events, Adam Sandler performed live in the BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau on November 1st. New Kids on the Block performed at Dolby Live at Park MGM November 1st through the 15th. Alanis Morissette performed in concert at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on November 2nd. The MSG Sphere hosted the Wizard of Oz all throughout November and hosted the Eagles on various dates in November.
T-Mobile hosted basketball’s Hall of Fame Series on November 3rd. Barry Manilow performed in the International Showroom at Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino, November 6th through the 25th. The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas hosted the MLB Awards on November 13th and hosted Manheim Steamroller on November 15th. Martin Lawrence performed at Resorts World Theatre on November 15th. The Raiders hosted Monday Night Football against the Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium on November 17th. Formula 1 Grand Prix racing was held in Las Vegas, November 20th through the 22nd. Dolby Live at Park MGM hosted Mariah Carey on November 28th and 29th.
Hotel occupancy was 79.4% in November, down from 81.4% in November 2024. Weekend occupancy was steady at 88.3% compared to 89.1% a year ago. Weekday occupancy was 75%, down from 76.9%.
Strip occupancy was 82%, down from 84.3% a year ago. Downtown occupancy was 66.4%, down from 70.2% a year ago.
The average daily room rate was $193 in November, down 2.9% year-over-year, translating to revenue per room of $153, down 5.2%.
The average daily rate on the Strip was $208.39, down from $212.49 a year ago. It was $94.08 in downtown Las Vegas, a decline from $104.50 a year ago.
Gaming analysts took note of the latest figures.
Dan Politizer with J.P. Morgan noted that fourth-quarter visitation is tracking down 5%, while convention attendance is up 4%. November marked the 11th consecutive month of a visitation decline, but revenue per available room declines have improved from summer’s low base.