George Strait adds two 2017 concerts at new Strip arena

By Mike Weatherford Las Vegas Review-Journal

9 years ago

"The King of Country Music" George Strait announces an exclusive worldwide engagement in Las Vegas in 2016 at a press conference in the MGM Hotel & Casino on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015. Strait will be among the first entertainers to perform at the new Las Vegas Arena scheduled to open in April. Strait also announced the Sept. 25 release of his new album "Cold Beer Conversation." CREDIT: Mark Damon/Las Vegas News Bureau

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?

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