Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
Billion dollar view
A look inside the Raiders’ field of dreams, Allegiant Stadium
AFTER seeing Allegiant Stadium rise from the ground over the past 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 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-squarefoot 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’s Al Davis’ quote, “Just Win, Baby,” as it’s plastered on the wall near the door to the locker room.
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 is 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
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.
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.
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 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-squarefoot 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 lives up to the name. Raiders’ President Marc Badain maintains it’s more spectacular than any view from any other stadium in the world.
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. Filled with 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 enormity, 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.
The view of the field from the suites level at Allegiant Stadium.
Raiders in the Pro Football Hall of Fame are recognized on the 200 level. 85-foot Al Davis Memorial Torch will be lit for the inaugural opening game at Allegiant Stadium, which is Monday night against the New Orleans Saints.