The race to give Las Vegas an NBA team now has a new arena site on the table, and this one sits inside city limits. Fisher Brothers, the New York real estate firm behind AREA15, has pitched a 50-acre parcel just west of Interstate 15, between AREA15 and Palace Station, as the home for a future NBA franchise. Mayor Shelley Berkley and Mayor Pro Tem Olivia Diaz have both put their support in writing.
Key Takeaways
- Fisher Brothers says 50 acres next to AREA15 are “shovel-ready” for an arena of about 18,000 to 20,000 seats.
- Mayor Berkley sent a letter of support on July 27, 2026, and Councilwoman Olivia Diaz followed on July 28.
- Las Vegas still has no NBA team. Three ownership groups are reported as finalists, and the league has not set a decision date.
- The expansion fee plus a new arena is reported at roughly $12 billion to $13 billion.
What Fisher Brothers is pitching
AREA15 opened in 2020 and the company says it has drawn more than 17 million visitors to its 30-acre campus. Fisher Brothers owns about 80 acres in Las Vegas in total, and the open land west of AREA15 is where it wants the arena to go, with bars, restaurants, shops and lodging around it so the area stays busy on nights without games. CEO Winston Fisher told FOX5 the company could “build a whole campus that celebrates that team.”
The firm says it has already spent about $18 million on utilities for the site, including a 16-inch water main, a 21-inch sewer main and 40.5 megavolt-amperes of dedicated power. It also points to $140 million in incentives already authorized through the city’s Tourism Improvement District program. The company says it is flexible and wants to partner with whichever group lands a team.
| Item | Reported figure |
|---|---|
| Proposed arena site | About 50 acres, west of I-15 |
| Arena size | About 18,000–20,000 seats |
| Infrastructure already built | About $18 million |
| Authorized incentives | $140 million (Tourism Improvement District) |
| Expansion fee plus arena | About $12 billion–$13 billion |
| Home games per season | 41 |
Where the NBA stands
In March, NBA owners voted to let the league formally explore expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle, and the league hired PJT Partners to study markets, owners and arenas. In September, three Las Vegas groups were reported on the final shortlist: Bill Foley with Jerry Colangelo, Nancy Walton Laurie with Bill Laurie, and Steve Apostolopoulos with Marc Lasry. Berkley and Diaz both noted that the league and the future owner will decide where a team actually plays.
Berkley told News 3 she thinks “at least one Las Vegas team” should be located in the city of Las Vegas. That’s a fair point: T-Mobile Arena, Allegiant Stadium and the planned A’s ballpark all sit in unincorporated Clark County. Economist Jeremy Aguero of Applied Analysis told News 3 there are “a dozen sites” in the conversation, so this is far from settled.
What it means for you
- Nothing changes yet. No team, no groundbreaking and no opening date have been announced.
- Traffic: The site sits just west of I-15 next to Palace Station. If it ever happens, a 20,000-seat arena would bring big event-night crowds to that side of the freeway.
- Nearby value: Palace Station is a locals casino right next door. Check the Comp Board for current locals deals in the area.
- Visiting now? AREA15 is open today with Omega Mart and other attractions. Plan your trip with our booking page.
Sources
- FOX5 Las Vegas: Las Vegas mayor backs proposed NBA arena site near AREA15
- News 3: Las Vegas leaders weigh Area15 proposal as NBA arena site competition heats up
- The Stadium Business: Mayor backs new Vegas NBA arena proposal
- Spotlight.Vegas: Developer pitches 20,000-seat NBA arena beside AREA15
The Comp Report tracks Las Vegas business news from the driver’s seat. Figures are as reported by the sources above and may change as the NBA process moves forward.