Monday Night Football is always a big deal in the NFL. But Monday Night Football in Las Vegas? With the new Las Vegas Raiders making their debut? That’s something else altogether.
Unfortunately, fans aren’t allowed inside Allegiant Stadium to watch the home team take on the Saints. But the Raiders and their new city are putting on a halftime show fit for a high-roller. Internationally-known rock ‘n’ roll group, The Killers, will play a set from the Caesars Palace rooftop. The show will be televised by ESPN and ABC.
“Welcome to Las Vegas, right?” said quarterback Derek Carr with a chuckle, when told about the show during his conference call with reporters on Wednesday.
The Raiders’ first game in Las Vegas is a huge deal, no matter the date. But Monday Night Football makes the game even more special for all involved.
Carr explained that watching football on Mondays was an important part of growing up, and the primetime game still carries weight as he prepares for this week’s contest.
“I don’t know how many Monday night games I’ve played, but it never gets old. It never loses how cool it is,” he said. “And we wish our city here, Las Vegas, we wish they could experience it with us. I’m sure they will be around somewhere. I’m sure there is a certain street or strip that they’ll be on that our fans will be at. Hopefully, it still feels the same energy.”
There certainly is a strip for fans, both new and old, to meet up at—the world-famous Las Vegas Strip. And they’ll undoubtedly be in the area to watch the game and concert. Carr says the city is already Raiders-crazed, even if fans can’t attend the game.
“There is still a feel around town, ‘Oh, the Raiders are playing in town,’” Carr said. “So, it’s still exciting and I got people driving up next to my car and waiving and going nuts and stuff.”
If fans are going berserk early in the week, Monday night should be a celebration to remember in Las Vegas, especially if the Raiders beat the Saints. And with a halftime show on a casino rooftop, it’s obvious that the Raiders’ tenure in the entertainment capital of the world is off and running.