Monday, April 27, 2015 | 2 a.m.
March Madness may be over, but the first weekend in May stands to be one of the busiest of the year.
The biggest draw is the May 2 fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao at MGM Grand Garden Arena. But that’s not the only event expected to attract above-average crowds. May 2 also is the Kentucky Derby, which brings scores of people to Las Vegas to bet and sip mint juleps. Cinco de Mayo will be celebrated that weekend, and the National Hardware Show is expected to bring 30,000 people to town.
Hotel occupancy could approach New Year’s Eve levels, and sports betting could rival the Super Bowl.
That also means, however, tons of traffic, parking nightmares, long lines and potential public safety risks.
PUBLIC SAFETY
First responders from Metro Police, the Clark County Fire Department and ambulance company American Medical Response have met for weeks to devise a plan to maintain order among the crowds expected to pack the Strip. The goal is to have police within eyesight of every reveler.
“We’re preparing for a ... draw not quite as big as New Year’s Eve but bigger than any normal fight involving Mayweather,” Metro Lt. Roxanne McDaris said.
Police urge people attending the festivities to limit their alcohol intake, drink lots of water and travel in groups. People who aren’t attending a fight-related event should avoid the Strip. Citywide, “be attentive and please move to the right” if you see an emergency vehicle, said Damon Schilling of AMR.
Extra officers will be stationed around MGM on weigh-in and fight day.
BUSIEST TRAVEL DAYS?
May 3 and 4 are expected to be the busiest days at the airport. The Transportation Security Administration plans to increase its workforce by 10 percent during fight weekend to allow for extra employees at security checkpoints and in baggage.
AIRPORT
Prepare for long lines and crowded bars and restaurants. Many airlines are using bigger airplanes for Las Vegas routes next weekend to accommodate more travelers, McCarran International Airport spokeswoman Christine Crews said.
Extra bomb-sniffing dogs also will be deployed to McCarran.
PARKING
Many resorts will restrict valets and lots to guests only, and open garages will fill up fast. If you have to drive, leave plenty of time to park and walk.
CABS
The Taxicab Authority typically authorizes a temporary increase in medallions during busy weekends to allow for more cabs on the road, but that decision won’t be made until April 30.
Sorry, Uber. The rideshare app remains exiled from Nevada.
DRIVING
Congestion is expected to be heavy on fight night. If you’re meeting friends, consider carpooling.
MONORAIL
With stops running the length of the Strip and trains running every four to nine minutes, the train’s $12 day pass will be well worth the investment. If you’re staying off Strip or don’t want to drive to a stop near the Strip, the Monorail offers free shuttles from the Palms, M Resort, Green Valley Ranch and other hotels.
HOTELS
The majority of Las Vegas’ 150,000 hotel rooms are sold out on fight night. Rooms that are available are going for as much as 10 times their normal price. Most of the hotels also require a minimum two-night stay.
ROOM RATE HIKE
Rates compared with average Friday and Saturday nights:
• Room rates for five-star hotels are up about $700 a night.
• Room rates for two-star hotels are up about $200 a night.
ALTERNATE STAYS
The average price at AirBnB to rent a valley house or apartment during fight weekend is $770/night. A 5-bedroom house two blocks from the Strip was advertised for $5,000 a night. Private rooms in shared residences averaged $174 a night, although master suites were listed for as high as $1,500 a night. During a regular weekend, prices average $246 a night for a house or apartment.
A tent for rent in the backyard of a Henderson home was posted on Airbnb for $24 per night.
WHERE TO WATCH
The pay-per-view showing, co-distributed by HBO and Showtime, will cost $89.95 for standard definition and $99.95 for high-definition. As many as 4 million homes could watch, generating a big chunk of the fight’s revenue. If you want to watch on the Strip, you’ll have to stick to an MGM Resorts International resort. The company has an exclusive deal to broadcast the fight closed-circuit at its properties. No other businesses in Clark County will be able to broadcast it.
BETTING OPTIONS
At almost every sports book in town, gamblers can wager on the winner, the number of rounds and the exact result. Betting windows are expected to stay open until the fight’s first bell. At press time, Mayweather was holding on as a minus-200 favorite (risk $2 to win $1), with Pacquiao coming back at plus-180 (risk $1 to win $1.80). The total number of rounds is set at 11.5 with the over at minus-300 and the under at plus-250. The prices might be short on both the favorites, Mayweather and over, so for a decent payout, consider betting the exact result. Take Mayweather to win by decision at minus-150.
Offshore sports book 5Dimes has a wager on the number of pay-per-view buys for the fight — 3.15 million, which would shatter the 2.4 million buys of De La Hoya-Mayweather in 2007.
GAMBLING
Weekend betting minimums always are higher, and this is no normal weekend. Expect to see a lot of $50 and $100 minimums. “You’re not going to be finding any $5 blackjack tables on the Strip,” said Anthony Curtis, publisher of the Las Vegas Advisor newsletter. “It’s all about supply and demand, and the demand’s going to be there.”
MERCHANDISE
The majority of swag for sale at MGM Grand is Mayweather branded — shirts ($38-$70), hats ($48-$88), towels ($28) and socks ($14) — although a few Mayweather-Pacquiao T-shirts ($35) and hats ($40) are available. If those prices are too high, check outside MGM. Cheaper, unofficial gear likely will be available off-property.
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