The iconic Tropicana Las Vegas is set to be demolished on October 9 at 2:30am PT to make way for a new 30,000-seater ballpark for the Oakland Athletics. The property, owned by Bally’s Corporation, will be imploded by GGG Demolition and Controlled Demolition Inc. with a fireworks display and drone show leading up to the event. The public will not be able to witness the $15 million destruction in person due to safety concerns, but it will be broadcasted by local television networks.
The Tropicana has been a significant part of the Las Vegas Strip since it opened in 1957, known for its connection to the mob, celebrities, and high rollers. Bally’s purchased the property in 2022 for $308 million and decided to demolish it in May 2023 in favor of the baseball stadium project. The resort was deemed outdated and in need of major renovations. Bally’s will develop a new resort adjacent to the ballpark called Bally’s Las Vegas.
Chairman Soo Kim of Bally’s Corporation described the Tropicana as one of the original pioneers of the Strip and believes its demolition will pave the way for the future of the city as it welcomes Major League Baseball for the first time. The demolition marks the end of an era for the Tropicana, but it also signifies a new beginning for the Las Vegas Strip.
The Oakland Athletics received approval from the MLB to move to Las Vegas in November, despite opposition from fans in Oakland. The team’s owner, John Fisher, faced criticism for not investing in improvements to the stadium, leading to the decision to relocate. The new stadium in Las Vegas is expected to cost $1.5 billion, with a portion of the funding coming from public financing. Groundbreaking is set for April 2025, with the goal of opening in January 2028.
The Tropicana closed its doors in April, giving patrons the chance to purchase memorabilia through a clearance sale. Some individuals took advantage of the opportunity to take items from the property before its closure. The demolition of the Tropicana will mark the first implosion on the Las Vegas Strip since the Riviera in 2016.
Overall, the demolition of the Tropicana Las Vegas signifies the end of an era for the iconic property but also represents a new chapter in the development of the Las Vegas Strip. With the construction of a new ballpark for the Oakland Athletics and plans for a resort by Bally’s Corporation, the future looks bright for the site of the former Tropicana.