A towering casino resort in Nevada is expanding and betting on Reno by adding a $1 billion sports arena and hundreds of new hotel rooms.
On Sept. 30, construction is set to begin at the Grand Sierra Resort to add a 10,000-seat arena — including suites and hospitality clubs. The 300,000-square-foot concert and sports venue is expected to boost tourism appeal in the region. The project was announced in 2023, and it’s expected to open in late summer 2027. Located near downtown Reno at the intersection of Interstate 80 and Highway 395, the new arena will cement a major partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno.
“This project will be a transformative addition to our resort, the University of Nevada and the Northern Nevada region,” the resort told the Reno Gazette-Journal in a statement.
The partnership is expected to turn the arena into the home base for the university’s men’s basketball team. The expansion also includes a golf facility and a walking path at the Grand Bay driving range, plus a year-round community ice skating rink. To meet the expected demand, the resort is adding an 800-room tower…