Thomas & Mack to reconfigure seating for UNLV games beginning 2026–27
UNLV is reorganizing seating at the Thomas & Mack Center for the 2026–27 men’s basketball season. The plan swaps the locations of the home and visiting benches, relocates the band and student section, shifts the Courtside Club, and reassigns dozens of lower-bowl seats — moves made as the program tries to address persistent attendance shortfalls.
Bench swap and fan relocation policies
The school will move the Runnin’ Rebels’ bench to a spot in front of Section 118, with visiting teams shifted to the area in front of Section 116. UNLV says the swap will not force season-ticket holders to change seats within those two sections. Supporters who do wish to move will be able to request new placements; those requests will be prioritized using Rebel Athletic Fund priority points and donation levels.
Student section expansion and band move
The core student section will be consolidated into Sections 109 through 112 in the lower bowl, excluding ADA seating at the tops of those sections. That reconfiguration adds 79 floor-adjacent seats for students. The university is relocating the band from Section 101 to the bottom of Section 110, adjacent to the main student area. With the bench swap, the band and students will be positioned behind the visiting basket during second halves.
Courtside Club relocation and concourse access
The Courtside Club — introduced several seasons ago — will be moved to Section 101, the band’s current location. UNLV says the new placement will improve access to the Strip View Pavilion from the main concourse. To make room, band risers will be adjusted and wheelchair-accessible rows designated AA through JJ will be pushed back.
Reserved seating changes and pricing impact
Certain lower-bowl blocks will shift back to reserved pricing. Seats in Section 108, rows AA–JJ, will be set at the Lower Bowl-2 price tier, listed at $1, 555 per season this year. Section 122, rows AA–JJ, which had been part of the student allocation, will also revert to the same reserved pricing. The university surveyed season-ticket holders on multiple options earlier this year and ultimately kept the upper level open, citing a desire to preserve entry-level prices and ADA placements.
Why the overhaul: attendance and the road ahead
The changes come amid a steady decline in home attendance for the men’s program. This season’s average crowd has been just over 5, 000 per game, with some contests drawing fewer than 5, 000 fans. University officials and athletic staff characterize the seating adjustments as part of a broader effort to improve the game-night atmosphere, consolidate core fan groups closer to the court, and make premium areas more accessible.
What season-ticket holders should expect
Season-ticket packages in the upper level remain priced this season between $115 and $215, and university officials emphasized that upper-level tarping will not be used so those entry-level options and ADA seats remain available. Season-ticket holders impacted by the lower-bowl shifts will be contacted and given the opportunity to request reassignment; those requests will be handled in order of fundraising priority points and donor level. The changes are scheduled to take effect at the start of the 2026–27 season.
