The Las Vegas Raiders picked up a win in their first game this season, outlasting the Carolina Panthers by a 34-30 margin in Week 1. However, there was more than a little bit of extra emphasis on the second game of the season for Jon Gruden’s team, simply because it marks the first game in the newly constructed Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
In advance of Monday night’s tilt against Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints, the hype was significant, including a video released by the Raiders to get the blood flowing in the NFL’s maiden voyage in Vegas.
We got next.
#NOvsLV | @ESPNNFL | Tonight pic.twitter.com/bQD3NtbNk3
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 21, 2020
In addition, Monday Night Football has its own mystique, raising the stakes even more.
Three words: Just win, baby. #NOvsLV I #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/ijntiqCywd
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 22, 2020
It was quite a scene even before kick-off, with fans arriving (very) early just a stone’s throw from the Las Vegas Strip.
Raider Nation is already showing up at Allegiant Stadium. With the parking lots closed, most are opting to park on the sides of the surrounding roads. #vegas #raiders #stadium #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/VcQbdRdDz8
— Mick Akers (@mickakers) September 21, 2020
The facility is overwhelming in its grandeur, with a billion dollar price tag to boot, and many were looking ahead to the festivities even before the public was allowed inside.
FIRST LOOK inside Allegiant Stadium ahead of the #Saints matchup against the #Raiders in their new city. pic.twitter.com/kTB8zrC1dY
— Jori Parys (@JoriParys) September 21, 2020
Take peak inside the Raiders new home, Allegiant Stadium ahead of its Monday Night Football debut. https://t.co/O10YifhsuJ#vegas #raiders #stadium #raidernation pic.twitter.com/6rfukMqI76
— Mick Akers (@mickakers) September 21, 2020
By kick-off time, there was even a flyover, even with the roof closed for the action.
The @AFThunderbirds flyover for the home opener of the Raiders! #RaiderNation @LasVegasLocally @VitalVegas @LasVegasLocally pic.twitter.com/DtCFWMBIYc
— Bryan Kroten (@bryankroten) September 22, 2020
It is still too early to get a full-fledged feel on how the stadium will be received in the long term but, if nothing else, the “death star” moniker to describe the venue seems to be catching on with vigor.
Ok peeps, @NFL 1st look inside the “Death Star” #AllegiantStadium… for #MNF between the @Raiders @Saints… tune in tonight @westwood1sports to hear the great @KevinHarlan & see which team remains undefeated! Who u like: #Raiders #Saints pic.twitter.com/3A9AhqHYyn
— Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) September 21, 2020
The #Saints have arrived inside the Death Star…. err… Allegiant Stadium#Raiders #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/FcZ3hzgyEE
— Vince Sapienza (@VinceSapienza) September 21, 2020
A quick look inside the NFL’s Deathstar … I mean Allegiant Stadium
https://t.co/aJEUbKTCjn
— Julian Del Gaudio (@JulianDelGaudio) September 21, 2020
Not everyone is on board, though, with some semantic arguments against the nickname.
Allegiant Stadium isn’t the Death Star, because the Death Star isn’t black. It’s gray. Is nothing sacred?
— Chris Vannini
(@ChrisVannini) September 22, 2020
Overall, Allegiant Stadium looks brilliant and it certainly seems to embody the city where its located. Whether the Raiders can live up to the billing remains to be seen, but Las Vegas now has an NFL team to pair with a highly successful NHL franchise, and they have a venue to host the action.