Top Things to Do in Las Vegas: Your August 2026 Event Guide

In one of the most popular tourist destinations across North America, there is never a shortage of exciting attractions to visit each month. Global Gaming Insider continues its series by showcasing the most prominent events and shows coming to Las Vegas during August 2026 across sports, entertainment and new conferences & exhibitions. 

Major Las Vegas sporting events taking place in August

NFL: Raiders kick off preseason action

Beginning on August 13, the Las Vegas Raiders will begin its preseason schedule in the lead-up to the 2026-2027 NFL regular season. Excitement for the Raiders is as high as it's ever been in Las Vegas, especially with the franchise having recently selected Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza number one overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mendoza is coming off a fantastic season with the Hoosiers, having defeated the likes of Ohio State, Alabama and Miami en route to winning the National Championship and Heisman Trophy award. 

The Raiders will first take on the Arizona Cardinals in preseason action, featuring young talent such as tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty alongside the franchise’s hopeful long-term signal caller. While preseason play typically features players looking to make final roster cuts rather than proven veterans, the Raiders’ young talent should be given plenty of run to showcase what could be a bright future for the Las Vegas side. 

PBC Boxing: Rolly Romero vs. Teofimo Lopez

Rolly Romero defends his WBA welterweight title against Teofimo Lopez at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on August 22, as Lopez looks to bounce back from his lopsided loss to Shakur Stevenson in February. Romero, coming off a huge win against Ryan Garcia in May 2025, was once friends with Lopez prior to the relationship going awry, even sparring together for years only to meet in the championship clash. 

The fight card also features undefeated Cuban middleweight Yoenli Hernandez, 10-0 with nine knockouts, against Argentina's Francisco Daniel Veron at 17-1-1 with 10 knockouts over 10 rounds. PBC will also showcase an interim title defense and the US debut of one of its younger prospects to fill out the four-fight pay-per-view, with competitors for each bout still to be announced. 

UNLV Football makes 2026-2027 debut against Memphis 

Not to be outdone by the NFL franchise, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) football makes a return to the gridiron on August 29 in its first home game against the Memphis Tigers/ The Rebels are coming off a fantastic 2025-2026 season where the program achieved a 10-4 record and went 6-2 in conference play, although UNLV did fall short of winning the Mountain West Conference against Boise State. 

Behind second-year head coach Dan Mullen, the Rebels program appears to be taking a turn for the better after watching fellow Mountain West programs dominate conference play for much of the last few years. Quarterback Jackson Arnold will make his full-year debut for UNLV after transferring from Auburn University, having once been a top-rated recruit for Oklahoma University. 

Which entertainment and tradeshows are must-see in Las Vegas during July?

Live long and prosper: Star Trek takes over Las Vegas

From August 5-9 at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas, Star Trek fans can gather to celebrate the franchise’s 60th anniversary, featuring over 150 confirmed guests from across Star Trek’s history, including actors, writers, producers and franchise-adjacent personalities. The STLV 2026 convention is the flagship Star Trek event of the year, offering panels which cover a wide range of topics – from behind-the-scenes insights to fan-centric discussions. 

APA World Pool Championship

The culmination of weekly APA League play is the 8-Ball World Championship and 9-Ball World Championship, which make up the APA World Pool Championships, held at the Westgate Las Vegas from August 4-15. The Jack & Jill Championship, Ladies 8-Ball Championship, Masters Championship and Team Captains Championship, as well as MiniMania, take place alongside the APA World Pool Championships, which feature a grand prize of $25,000 for 8-ball and $15,000 for 9-ball. 

Karol G brings Latin energy to Allegiant Stadium 

Karol G continues her Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour in Las Vegas on August 7, marking the next chapter in a career that continues to push boundaries and set new industry standards. The tour will see KAROL G become the first Latina artist to headline stadiums across Europe as part of a global expedition, further expanding her historic impact on the world stage.

Guns N’ Roses turn back the clock in Las Vegas

Guns N’ Roses, alongside special guest The Black Crowes, will take over Allegiant Stadium on August 22 as the famous rock band continues its world tour across the globe. Coming off hosting the likes of Ed Sheeran in July, Allegiant Stadium continues to build upon its reputation as one of the marquee sports and entertainment venues in the US.