Wrestling fans heading to Las Vegas in April know the drill. Tickets are expensive. Flights aren’t cheap. Then you realize the hotel room you thought would cost 80 bucks a night suddenly balloons to three times that amount once WrestleMania weekend hits town.
It doesn’t have to be this way. With a bit of planning and some insider knowledge about how Vegas actually works, you can catch two nights of the biggest wrestling event of the year without surrendering your entire vacation budget to inflated hotel rates. Let’s be real here, the event itself is already going to cost you. Why throw away extra cash on a place to sleep?
Book Early or Risk Paying Premium
WrestleMania weekend draws fans from around the globe, and hotels know it. WrestleMania 42 takes place as a two-night event on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada. Honestly, you should have already booked by now if you’re reading this in early 2026, but if you haven’t, don’t panic.
The earlier you book, the better your chances of locking in something reasonable. Some fans use a smart trick: book multiple refundable reservations at different properties when prices are low, then cancel the extras closer to the event once you decide which location works best. This way you’re not scrambling last minute when rates spike even higher. Flexible booking and price alerts through apps can help you snag deals months in advance, especially if you’re willing to monitor pricing drops regularly.
Look Beyond the Strip for Serious Savings
Off-Strip hotels offer proximity to the Las Vegas Strip without the price tag, providing all the amenities without the non-stop hustle and bustle. Properties in Henderson and Boulder City offer affordable room rates and proximity to kid-friendly restaurants and convenient shopping. These neighborhoods aren’t as flashy, but they’re also not as expensive.
Green Valley Ranch in Henderson is easily one of the best off-Strip hotels in Las Vegas, with room options ranging from baseline Deluxe Rooms to suites that match the level of luxury you would expect at upper-tier resorts on the Strip. You get decent accommodations, you save money, and you’re still close enough to reach Allegiant Stadium without hassle. Strip hotels can easily charge $292.45 for the cheapest ticket in many cases during peak events, and the hotel rooms aren’t far behind in terms of pricing madness.
Skip the Resort Fees Trap
Here’s something most people don’t think about until it’s too late. The highest resort fees reach $55 per night before tax, which is $62.36 including tax per night, and sometimes the resort fee can be higher than the room rate. That’s not a typo. You can book a room for 40 dollars and then get hit with a 50-dollar resort fee on top of it.
There are dozens of hotels within a block of the Strip or a few minutes away, mostly Hilton and Marriott properties, with no resort fees for properties that are not on the Strip. Chain hotels near the airport or just off Las Vegas Boulevard don’t charge those inflated fees because they’re not riding the hype wave of being directly on the main tourist corridor. Budget hotels near transit hubs are cheaper overall since they skip the hefty nightly charges that Strip properties tack on. Those savings add up fast across several nights.
Use Public Transit Like a Local
The best way to get from Las Vegas to Allegiant Stadium is to train which takes 51 min and costs $6. The Las Vegas Monorail runs along the Strip and offers a convenient way to get close to Allegiant Stadium, with fans exiting at the MGM Grand Station and taking a short walk or rideshare to the stadium. For less than the cost of a single cocktail on the Strip, you can hop on the monorail and avoid dealing with traffic or expensive parking.
The RTC Game Day Express offers a $4 round-trip ticket to the stadium by bus from six locations around the Valley, including Station Casinos sites, the M Resort and Aliante Casino. If you’re staying farther out in Henderson or near one of those casino properties, this is an absolute steal. Rideshares and taxis are options too, but they get pricey fast when everyone’s heading to the same venue at the same time. Walking is free, and many off-Strip hotels are still within reasonable walking distance if you don’t mind a bit of exercise.
Stay in Paradise or Henderson for Easy Access
Most people think you have to stay on the Strip to enjoy Vegas. Wrong. Paradise is an unincorporated town adjacent to Las Vegas, with a population of 191,238 at the 2020 census, making it the fifth-most-populous CDP in the United States. Allegiant Stadium itself is technically in Paradise, not Las Vegas proper.
Staying in Paradise or Henderson puts you closer to the stadium and farther from the inflated pricing that comes with Strip hotels during big events. Hotels in these areas have lower base rates because they’re not sitting directly on the main tourist drag. You’re still minutes away from everything, but you’re not paying premium prices just for the address. It’s one of those local secrets that saves you hundreds without sacrificing convenience.
Consider Airport-Area Hotels for Budget Wins
Hotels just 10 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip feature quiet suites with full kitchens and in-room laundry, and are also 2 miles away from Allegiant Stadium. Airport hotels are often overlooked because they don’t have the glitz, but they’re practical and affordable. You get a clean room, you’re close to transportation, and you don’t have to deal with the chaos of Strip foot traffic.
Having a kitchenette in your room is another hidden advantage. You can stock up on snacks and drinks from a nearby grocery store instead of paying Vegas prices for bottled water and breakfast. That alone can save you 50 bucks a day if you’re traveling with family or friends. Plus, if you’re flying in and out of Vegas, staying near the airport cuts down on travel time and rideshare costs.
Target Non-Peak Travel Days to Cut Costs
If you have flexibility in your schedule, arriving earlier in the week or staying a day or two after WrestleMania can drop your costs significantly. Hotel pricing in Vegas is demand-based, which means Tuesday and Wednesday nights are almost always cheaper than Friday and Saturday. WWE World, a five-day interactive fan experience, runs from Thursday, April 16 through Monday, April 20 at the Las Vegas Convention Center South Hall.
Flying in on Wednesday or Thursday and leaving on Monday gives you more affordable room options and lets you enjoy some of the other WrestleMania week events without paying peak weekend prices. Many hotels jack up rates specifically for the main event nights, so if you can shift your stay by even a day or two on either end, you’ll see the difference immediately in your wallet.
Avoid Official Packages Unless You Need the Extras
Official travel packages can be convenient, but they’re rarely the cheapest option. Official WWE Priority Pass Packages are available from On Location, the Official Hospitality Provider of WWE, unlocking the ultimate fan experience including premium seating for both nights at Allegiant Stadium and unforgettable meet-and-greets with WWE Superstars. That sounds great if you’re willing to pay for it.
Let’s be honest, though. Most fans just want a decent seat and a place to crash. You don’t need premium hospitality if your goal is simply to attend the event without breaking the bank. Booking your hotel separately from your tickets gives you way more control over costs and lets you comparison shop for the best deals. Official packages bundle everything at standard Strip hotel rates, which defeats the purpose of hunting for budget options.
Use Hotel Loyalty Programs and Points
Hilton Honors waives resort fees for stays booked on points and for stays booked using a Hilton free night certificate. If you’ve been collecting points through a rewards program, WrestleMania weekend is a smart time to use them. Vegas hotels charge high resort fees relative to most other cities, so Las Vegas resorts can make for an especially-great redemption when using points.
Sign up for loyalty programs ahead of time even if you don’t have status yet. Sometimes properties run promotions that waive fees for members or offer discounted rates during certain booking windows. It’s worth spending 10 minutes creating an account if it saves you 60 dollars a night in fees. Chain hotels like Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt have multiple properties around Vegas, so you’ve got options once you start looking beyond the flashy casinos.
Take Advantage of Trams and Free Shuttles
The Strip has several free tram systems that assist with making your way to events easier, including the Aria Express Tram that connects Bellagio, Crystals shopping center and Park MGM, as well as the Mandalay Bay Tram that connects to Luxor and Excalibur. These free options can get you close to Allegiant Stadium or to monorail stops without spending a dime.
Some off-Strip hotels also offer free shuttles to the Strip or to major event venues. It’s worth asking when you book. Even if they don’t shuttle directly to the stadium, getting dropped at a central Strip location lets you hop on public transit or walk the rest of the way. Every dollar you don’t spend on transportation is another dollar you can put toward tickets, food, or souvenirs.
Final Thoughts: Plan Smart and Save Big
Attending WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas doesn’t require paying Strip prices for a hotel room. It just takes a bit of research and willingness to stay a few blocks away from the main tourist chaos. Off-Strip hotels in Henderson, Paradise, or near the airport offer solid accommodations at reasonable rates. Public transit and free trams make getting to Allegiant Stadium easy and affordable. Skipping resort fees alone can save you enough to cover a meal or two.
Book early, be flexible with your travel dates, and don’t fall for the hype that you need to stay at a mega-resort to enjoy the weekend. What did you find most helpful here? Are you planning to use any of these strategies for your trip?
