George Strait adds two 2017 concerts at new Strip arena
Who knows what the place will be called by April? By whatever name, George Strait plans to play the Strip's new arena on Feb. 17 and 18 of 2017.
The new venue set to open in April is currently being called the Las Vegas Arena, but the Ultimate Fighting Championship reportedly is in negotiations for naming rights to the $375 million project that partners MGM Resorts and concert promoter AEG Live.
Country superstar Strait was announced last month as the first recurring headliner (though probably not the opening-night performer), with shows April 22-23 and Sept. 9-10 in the arena that lies between New York-New York and the Monte Carlo.
However, Strait had left it vague just how many shows he would sing in his semi-retirement. The fact that 2017 dates are being slated instead of more shows next year suggests there is no danger of the singer working himself to death.
Pre-sales for the 2017 concerts begin Friday.
The new arena has at least one more concert booked for next year, Janet Jackson on May 14. And for what it's worth, the current MGM Grand Garden isn't going to be phased out of the concert picture altogether, with a Black Sabbath date booked there Sept. 17 — perhaps because of a UFC fight or hockey game at the new place?
Read more from Mike Weatherford at reviewjournal.com. Contact him at mweatherford@reviewjournal.com and follow @Mikeweatherford on Twitter.
