Going to the NBA All Star Game in Vegas?

That’s right - this season’s NBA All Star Game will be held amongst the glittering backdrop of Viva! Las Vegas! For once, “What Happens in Las Vegas, Won’t Stay In Las Vegas.”

On a three-day weekend, no less, thousands of NBA fans will be vying with couples eloping to Vegas, other couples enjoying a gambling/gamboling getaway to the gaming capital and everyone else traveling to “Sin City” on that weekend.

For the first time, the NBA All Star game will be held in a city that doesn’t have a professional basketball team. This is considered to be a very bold move for a league that discourages gambling within its own ranks. However, the popularity of the location will help sell tickets and create a great buzz.

The annual  NBA All Star Weekend will be on the week-end of February 16th-18th, 2007. The game will be held at the Thomas and Mack Center near the Vegas strip. For interested fans, the popular combination of sports, gambling and great shows will be difficult to pass up.

According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor’s Authority, the average monthly hotel occupancy rates already top 90 percent. The organization is conservatively estimating 40,000+ room nights will be booked by NBA Fans on that weekend. Since the basketball arena seats less than 17,000 people, there will be a lot of folks going to Vegas who won’t actually be attending the All Star Game. Instead, they’ll be watching at the many sports bars and lounges at casinos throughout the city. So, it’s imperative to make reservations early if you’re planning to attend the game and spend a night or two in Vegas.

Travel agents have already put together packages including tickets to the big game as well as one and two-night accommodation choices. Some of these packages will include airfares also. On sportstraveler.net, packages including hotel rooms range from $2115.00 to $3400.00. Their packages offer the Wynn Hotel and the Monte Carlo Hotel.  (Please visit sportstraveler.net for details.)