What's New in Las Vegas 2026 (26 Updates You Need to Know)
Las Vegas never stops changing, and 2026 is no exception. From brand-new hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants to a completely revamped strip club and a world-famous nightclub getting a total overhaul, Sin City has been busy. Here are 26 updates you need to know before your next trip.
Hotels and Resorts
1. The Cromwell Is Now The Vanderpump Hotel
The boutique hotel at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo Road has been completely transformed. The Vanderpump Hotel opened May 26, 2026, replacing The Cromwell in a partnership between Lisa Vanderpump and Caesars Entertainment.
Moss-green walls, dusty lilac accents, velvet headboards, and lighting designed to make you look good. The grand opening ended with a 600-drone show above the Strip. Rates start around $219 per night.
https://www.caesars.com/vanderpump-hotel
2. The Rio Got a $340 Million Makeover
The Rio is no longer just a locals' casino off-Strip. It reopened as a Destination by Hyatt property following a $340 million renovation that included 1,500 fully remodeled suites in the Ipanema Tower, a reimagined 117,000-square-foot casino floor, and a brand-new food hall replacing the old buffet.
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/nevada/rio-las-vegas/lasrw
3. Caesars Palace Added Presidential and Sky Villas
Caesars unveiled new Presidential Villas and Sky Villas in January 2026, part of an ongoing expansion through 2027 that will also include nearly 1,000 renovated suites in the Augustus Tower.
https://www.caesars.com/caesars-palace
4. Park MGM's NoMad Is Now "The Reserve"
Park MGM rebranded its NoMad hotel space as The Reserve in early 2026. The most practical change: it's now bookable directly through Marriott Bonvoy.
5. M Resort Added a Whole New Tower
M Resort Spa Casino in Henderson welcomed a new East Tower in December 2025, adding 375 guest rooms, expanded convention space, and enhancements to the casino floor.
6. Wynn Is Renovating All Encore Suites
Wynn confirmed the renovation of all Encore tower suites, with most of the work scheduled during the slower summer months to keep guest disruption to a minimum.
https://www.wynnlasvegas.com/hotel/encore
Nightlife
7. XS Nightclub at Wynn Is Getting a Total Overhaul
XS Nightclub is closing for an extensive renovation in late summer 2026 and is expected to reopen in time for its 18th anniversary on New Year's Eve. The club has hosted Diplo, Marshmello, and The Chainsmokers since it opened December 31, 2008.
https://www.wynnlasvegas.com/nightlife/xs-nightclub
8. Zero Bond Is Coming to Las Vegas
The first Zero Bond members-only club in Las Vegas is debuting in 2026, located near the Wynn Golf Club. If you have to ask about membership, you probably can't get in. Just kidding, it’s a few thousand dollars. And you’ll probably still have to pay for parking.
9. Drai's Left the Rooftop for Good
When The Cromwell became the Vanderpump Hotel, Drai's Beachclub lost its rooftop home and moved back to a 13,000-square-foot basement space. That's a steep drop from the 65,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor setup it had up top.
https://www.draisgroup.com/las-vegas
10. Spearmint Rhino Completely Revamped Its VIP Experience
One of Las Vegas's most iconic adult entertainment venues has been completely transformed. The VIP rooms have been redesigned from the ground up, with new decor, new configurations, new buildouts, and a more upscale feel throughout.
https://www.spearmintrhinolv.com
Restaurants and Food
11. A Giant In-N-Out Opened on the Las Vegas Strip
The world's largest In-N-Out Burger opened June 9, 2026 at BLVD Las Vegas, with indoor seating for 170 guests and an outdoor patio for 50 more. This will be one of the better values on the Strip for a quick bite.
https://www.in-n-out.com/locations/las-vegas-blvd
12. Gymkhana Brought Two Michelin Stars to ARIA
Gymkhana, London's first two-Michelin-starred Indian restaurant, opened at ARIA Resort & Casino and has been packed ever since. The 175-seat dining room features tandoori grilled specialties, classic curries, and chaat-style sharing plates in a room decked in shades of green with brass accents.
https://gymkhanarestaurants.com/lasvegas/
13. Carbone Riviera Opened at Bellagio
Carbone Riviera is a seafood-forward spin on the classic Carbone concept, now open at Bellagio with a patio overlooking the famous fountains — and a custom 33-foot Riva yacht that takes select VIP guests out on the lake. It's exactly as over-the-top as it sounds.
14. Cantina Contramar Landed at Fontainebleau
Celebrated Mexico City chef Gabriela Cámara opened Cantina Contramar at Fontainebleau on March 28, 2026, bringing her signature whole grilled fish and fresh seafood-forward Mexican cooking to the Strip for the first time.
https://www.fontainebleaulasvegas.com/dining/restaurants/cantina-contramar/
15. COTE Korean Steakhouse Is at The Venetian
COTE, the Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse from New York, opened its Las Vegas debut at The Venetian in a 17,000-square-foot space designed by Rockwell Group. Think interactive tableside grilling with a 1,200-label wine program.
https://www.venetianlasvegas.com/dining/restaurants/cote.html
16. Sartiano's Italian Steakhouse Opened at Wynn
Sartiano's Italian Steakhouse opened at Wynn Las Vegas next door to the new Zero Bond club, with golf course views and a menu that merges Italian cooking with American steakhouse classics. Its caviar cannoli appetizer is already getting people talking.
https://www.wynnlasvegas.com/dining/fine-dining/sartianos
17. Category 10, a Luke Combs Bar, Is Replacing Margaritaville
Category 10, a Luke Combs-inspired bar and entertainment venue, is replacing Margaritaville near The Linq. The multi-level space will open to both The Linq Promenade and the Flamingo casino floor, with a debut expected in fall 2026.
Entertainment and Attractions
18. The Sphere Keeps Getting Bigger Headliners
The Sphere's 2026 lineup includes the Eagles, Backstreet Boys, No Doubt, Phish, ILLENIUM, Kenny Chesney, and Carín León, with a Wizard of Oz immersive experience extended through August. The Sphere is now a bona fide fixture for the A-list touring circuit.
19. Museum of Ice Cream Is Coming to AREA15
The Museum of Ice Cream is opening its largest location yet at AREA15, spanning nearly 30,000 square feet with 14 immersive experiences, unlimited ice cream, and on-site games.
https://www.museumoficecream.com
20. Driverless Taxis Are Officially on the Strip
Zoox signed an exclusive partnership with T-Mobile Arena and is already picking up passengers at AREA15 and several resort properties. Waymo is also entering the Las Vegas market in 2026.
21. Bingo Is Making a Comeback at Circus Circus
Circus Circus is bringing back an old-school bingo hall on the Strip, which some locals are hoping signals a broader bingo revival in Las Vegas. It's either a nostalgia play or a genuinely underrated form of casino entertainment, depending on who you ask.
Sports
22. The A's Are Actually Playing Games in Las Vegas
The A's stadium is still a few years away from completion, but the team played a few games this summer at Las Vegas Ballpark in Downtown Summerlin.
23. Durango Casino Keeps Expanding
Durango Casino & Resort started construction on a $385 million third-phase expansion, adding 275,000 square feet to the north side of the property. The expansion includes Moonshine Flats, a popular two-story entertainment venue from San Diego, along with new gaming, dining, and recreational amenities.
https://www.durangocasinoresort.com
Infrastructure and Off-Strip
24. The Las Vegas Convention Center Finished Its $600 Million Renovation
The LVCC completed a $600 million overhaul at the start of 2026, with CES being the first major trade show to move through the fully reimagined 4.6-million-square-foot campus. A new east entrance now welcomes attendees with an indoor lobby and outdoor plaza.
https://www.lvcva.com/las-vegas-convention-center/
25. Chinatown Is Starting a 10-Year Redevelopment
Chinatown is kicking off a 10-year redevelopment project in 2026 to improve and beautify one of the most culturally significant neighborhoods in the Las Vegas Valley. Long overdue.
https://www.lasvegasnevada.gov
26. RIP Spirit Airlines — And Hello to New Routes
Spirit Airlines, once the second-busiest carrier at Harry Reid International Airport, shut down completely on May 2, 2026 after 34 years in business. The airline had been bleeding passengers for months, cutting 71% of its Las Vegas flights before finally calling it quits.
Budget travelers who relied on Spirit's dirt-cheap fares to get to Vegas are now scrambling, though Frontier Airlines moved in fast with rescue fares and expanded routes. On the brighter side, Harry Reid also expanded its overall network in 2026, adding new nonstop service to Lincoln and Santa Rosa, plus regional flights from Page, Arizona, connecting Vegas to Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, and Antelope Canyon.
https://www.harryreidairport.com
The Bottom Line
Las Vegas is ever evolving and moreso in 2026. Hotels are being reimagined from the ground up, the restaurant scene keeps raising the bar, venues that have been around for years are investing heavily to stay ahead, and even the ways you get here are changing. Whether you're coming for the first time or the fiftieth, there is more to see and do than ever before.
