Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau
The Las Vegas Lights FC takes on the Austin Bold FC during the Lights season opener Saturday, March 9, 2019, at Cashman Field in Las Vegas.
Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023 | 7:20 a.m.
Cashman Field in downtown Las Vegas was built as a baseball stadium and housed a Triple-A franchise for three decades.
When that franchise moved to Las Vegas Ballpark in Summerlin, Cashman Field got a new tenant from a new sport: Las Vegas Lights, a soccer team.
Now, Cashman Field will play host to another Las Vegas team: Football’s Vegas Vipers of the XFL.
The Vipers at 4 p.m. Feb. 25 will host DC Defenders in their home opener at Cashman as part of the relaunch of the eight-team league. The XFL, with the Las Vegas Outlaws as one of its teams, played at Sam Boyd Stadium in 2001. The league quickly folded.
The return will include five home games at Cashman Field: 4 p.m. March 4 against Seattle; 7 p.m. March 18 against Orlando; 4 p.m. March 25 against St. Louis; 3 p.m. April 1 against San Antonio.
The Vipers open the season Feb. 18 against Arlington Renegades at Choctaw Stadium, the former home of the Texas Rangers.
The game will be televised by ABC, as the league is hopeful that its business model with television network contracts — games will also be played on ESPN networks and FX — will be more sustainable.
“Through the global scale and support of Disney and ESPN, our fans will have multiple options to access and experience the XFL across broadcast, cable, and streaming,” said Russ Brandon, XFL President in a statement. “With six weeks until kickoff, we are excited about our partnership and the immersive game day viewing experience that our collaboration will provide viewers.”
Las Vegas is coached by Pro Football Hall of Famer Rod Woodson, who in a statement said he was excited about playing in the 10,000-seat downtown stadium.
“Between the affordable tickets and exposure that our national television partners will provide, our fans can give us the support we need as a new favorite Vegas sports team. Now we are focused on our preparation in training camp,” he said.
