Take an exclusive look inside Allegiant Stadium
After seeing Allegiant Stadium rise from the ground over the last 31 months, Raiders fans have been inundated with images of its exterior. But pictures of the interior have been limited to those taken at Raiders scrimmages.
That changed on Friday. Ahead of the stadium’s grand debut against the New Orleans Saints on “Monday Night Football,” the Las Vegas Review-Journal was given an exclusive tour of the inside of the $2 billion facility.
As much attention as the outside has received, the inside is even more spectacular. The 1.75-million-square-foot stadium is filled with fun features on every level.
The Raiders will begin game day in a stylish and spacious locker room. They’ll be reminded of former legendary owner Al Davis’ mantra, “Just Win, Baby,” as it’s plastered on the wall near the door to the locker room.
The field tray will be moved into Allegiant Stadium on Sunday for Monday Night Football. #vegas #raiders #stadium #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/A8wxMC1tEl
— Mick Akers (@mickakers) September 18, 2020
Lined with black carpet with a silver and white zebra-like pattern, a massive Raiders shield logo is located in the middle of the room. The modern lighting gives the room a bright appearance despite all the black. A plastic barrier has been placed between each player’s locker to adhere to COVID-19 protocols.
Raiders history plays a big role throughout the stadium, including in the hallway leading to the locker room, as a Raiders Hall of Fame lines the about 50-foot-long corridor.
Along the hallways and concourse of the 200 level, various works of art hang on the walls paying homage to the team’s history and its new hometown. These go from Las Vegas-themed pieces featuring Elvis Presley, Evel Knievel, Carrot Top and other notable Las Vegas acts to Raiders-themed portraits, including Super Bowl wins and other Silver and Black memories.
Walking in Allegiant Stadium from the outside where in the field is stored in. #vegas #raiders #stadium #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/hDAidL2Dy0
— Mick Akers (@mickakers) September 18, 2020
The more than 100 pieces of art located in the stadium were created by local Las Vegas artists and former Raiders players, such as ex-quarterback Todd Marinovich.
The 93-foot-tall Al Davis Torch Memorial Torch stands tall at the north end of the stadium, with the silver carbon fiber arching toward the ceiling and an LED flame in the middle. The torch is surrounded by a 55,000-square-foot club that has the “billion” dollar view, as Don Webb, chief operating officer of the Raiders’ construction subsidiary, coined it, through the massive lanai doors.
The view of the Las Vegas Strip, Raiders President Marc Badain maintains, is more spectacular than any view from any other stadium in the world.
The hallway that the Raiders locker room is located on in Allegiant Stadium has a Raiders Hall of Fame. #vegas #raiders #stadium #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/r1StauMBhP
— Mick Akers (@mickakers) September 18, 2020
The 127 suites will take game day to another level for fans. The white marble flooring gives the suites an upscale look as soon as you enter the space. Surrounded by televisions, luxury seating and multiple phone-charging stations and drink holders designed to keep beverages ice-cold, suite guests can be assured they have the best seats in the house.
Standing on ground level of the stadium gives one a sense of its vast size, as you take in the 65,000 seats and the massive video boards on each side of the stadium and the thousands of square feet of video ribbon boards that line each level of the stadium.
Still, the Al Davis torch stands out when standing on the far south end of the stadium, which is fitting. This stadium, after all, is the culmination of his dream.
Mark Davis has called the stadium the “Raider Nation Field of Dreams,” and the attention to detail all around the building will make that dream a reality come Monday night.
Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on Twitter.