Thomas and Mack Center

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Updated On :10 Oct, 2026

Full Name
Thomas and Mack Center

Capacity
Basketball:17,923Boxing:18,645Arena Football:16,606

Type
Indoor

Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America

Surface Type
Multi Surface

The Thomas & Mack Center, located in Paradise, Nevada, United States, is a multipurpose indoor arena on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). It officially opened to the public on December 16, 1983, with a grand gala celebration. Since then, the venue has hosted a wide range of events, including sporting competitions, music concerts, and festivals. The arena was constructed at a cost of approximately $30 million and underwent significant interior and exterior renovations in 1999.

The Thomas & Mack Center is best known as the home court of the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels men’s basketball team, which competes in NCAA Division I basketball. The arena has accommodated different audience capacities depending on the event, with seating configurations designed for basketball, boxing, and other sporting competitions, as well as arena football. Its versatile facilities and long-standing association with UNLV athletics have established it as a prominent sports and entertainment venue in the Las Vegas metropolitan area.

Trivia

The arena is named after the two effluent bankers E. Parry Thomas and Jerome D. Mack, who provided their original funds for the feasibility and land studies.
The arena was nicknamed "The Shark Tank" at the time of opening after the UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian who was known as "Tark the Shark".

Significance

The arena hosted the 2007 National Basketball Association All-Star game. It was the first time an All- Star game was held in the city without NBA franchise.
On the inauguration day in 1983, celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Diana Ross performed during the grand gala.
Famous English singer, pianist, and composer Sir Elton John performed for the first time at this arena on 24th August 1984.
Apart from the UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball team, Thomas & Mack Center served as a home ground for the Arena Football League's Las Vegas Sting and other prominent teams.
Bill Clinton and Mikhail Gorbachev have given lectures as a part of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas lecture series.
On 25th of January 1992, rock band "Guns n' Roses" performed in front of a recorded attendance of 17,590 fans during their "Use Your Illusion Tour". The U2 band broke this record on 18th November 2001 as 17,771 tickets were sold at that time.