Happy New Year! Let us ring in the new year with the January 2026 edition of the Sports ETA Facility Showcase! To kick us off, we are going to showcase a sports site from the upcoming 2026 Sports ETA Facility Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada. During each Facility Summit (FS), we tour two local sport facilities from our host destination. I am proud to announce that one of our FS showcase facilities will be the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center and USBC Tournament Bowling Plaza.    

The Arena & Equestrian Center is the primary space for some of the world’s well-known sports events.  The Bowling Plaza is home to the USBA Open & Women’s Championships. Both of these amazing facilities are under one roof at the South Point Casino & Hotel. While not many sports facilities are designed like these two, we are proud to showcase them for their contribution to sports and Las Vegas.  Make sure to keep reading to the end for the “Key Difference Maker” section.   

One Roof, Many Possibilities 

South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa offers over 2,100 affordable luxury guestrooms with modern amenities like high-speed WiFi. It boasts extensive gaming, including over 2,200 slots and 60 table games, plus entertainment such as a 400-seat showroom and a 16-screen movie complex. Dining options include 11 restaurants, notably Michael’s Gourmet Room. Their recreation options feature a spa and a 64-lane bowling center. Uniquely, the property offers vast equestrian facilities with 240,000 square feet across three arenas and over 1,200 stalls, complemented by a large Conference Center and Exhibit Hall. 

The resort first opened on December 22, 2005, and was originally named South Coast, the latest addition to the Coast Casinos company founded by Michael Gaughan.  Boyd Gaming acquired Coast properties in the summer of 2004, but Gaughan bought back the South Coast in 2006 and changed it to its current name. Beyond its extensive lodging, dining, and gaming, the property is notable for its dedicated, state-of-the-art equestrian arena and dedicated bowling center.  This definitely sets it apart from many other Las Vegas-area properties. 

An Arena with a Clear Vision 

“Michael and Paula Gaughan had a very clear vision for this property since the beginning, and it was to create a one-of-a-kind facility that would not only help expand the equestrian industry but also serve as a home away from home for the participants and their animals,” said Steve Stallworth, General Manager of South Point Arena & Equestrian Center. 

Recognized as a premier facility in the industry, the South Point Arena boasts 240,000 square feet of event space, including three climate-controlled arenas. The Main Arena offers 4,500 seats, complemented by two additional arenas located in the Priefert Pavilion. The Equestrian Center also features on-site amenities such as a vet clinic, a feed store, and the Cinch Saloon. 

A unique feature distinguishing South Point Arena is the convenient horse valet service, located adjacent to 1,200 climate-controlled stalls. This service allows guests to check into the show and the hotel simultaneously while granting unlimited access to the stables. Furthermore, the stall area is monitored by 24-hour security, providing guests with a sense of comfort and allowing them to focus entirely on the competition ahead without concern for the well-being of their horses. 

Not Your Average Bowling Center 

South Point’s $35 million tournament bowling plaza is a nationally recognized facility that dramatically surpasses expectations. Its grand scale, featuring high vaulted ceilings for a "stadium feel," 60 impeccable lanes, and LED scoreboards, showcases the significant investment. 

According to Ryan Growney, the General Manager of South Point Casino, this is the only dedicated tournament bowling facility in the United States attached to a hotel and casino; the City of Reno has the only other standalone facility. 

Opened in 2014, the plaza was initially secured by a 12-year agreement with the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) to host major events like the USBC Open Championships and USBC Women’s Championships. This partnership has since been extended to 2039, with the 2024 Open Championship alone drawing over 55,000 bowlers. 

Creating a Cultural Connection  

Rodeo events are a major business driver for Las Vegas, and at South Point, they also foster a cultural connection. The venue attracts both horse enthusiasts and non-equestrian locals who enjoy amenities like the buffet and movie theater, creating a "good, homey, warm feeling" with a family-friendly atmosphere, according to Stallworth. This connection is particularly strong for locals from the Midwest or South with rural roots, many of whom have found their "fix" at the equestrian center. Beyond the equestrian draw, South Point's entertainment features traditional headliners who have left the Strip, such as The Righteous Brothers and Donny Edwards.  This contributes to an old-school Vegas vibe but also allows for other entertainment acts that fit their event's demographics.  

Marketing the Off-The-Strip Experience  

To keep South Point's rooms occupied, the management prices rooms competitively with or better than On-The-Strip hotels. Since South Point isn't a top-of-mind choice for many travel agents, the sales and marketing team uses an outward-focused strategy. This includes targeting specific groups (like bowlers and horse enthusiasts), actively seeking convention bookings, participating in trade shows with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), and rewarding loyal travel agents with complimentary two-night stays during slow periods. 

Intentional Winning Partnerships 

South Point Arena & Equestrian Center has partnered with Professional's Choice, a national supplier of horse supplies and equine orthopedic equipment, to enhance equine care and provide high-quality products to competitors. Professional's Choice will be the official supplier for bits, spurs, and strap goods. The company will also sponsor the critical 25,000 square feet Warm-Up Arena, where the brand will be prominently featured. The partnership aims to improve competition and horse care through the use of Professional's Choice's trusted products and expertise. 

A Timeless Appeal Perspective 

Growney's strategy balances preserving the property's timeless appeal with introducing contemporary elements to keep it "fresh and new" without losing its "old-school feel." However, he stresses that true, enduring success is rooted not in physical assets, but in the unshakeable culture established by leadership. He emphasizes that "the way Mr. Gaughan does business, the way he treats employees and customers" has not changed. This consistent, high-integrity, customer-centric approach is the essential bedrock that "allows us to do a lot of things to make this property special," enabling modernization and enhancement projects. 

KEY DIFFERENCE MAKER: “Find a Way to Say Yes.”  

This is the South Point motto. Having recently experienced South Point Arena and Bowling Plaza, I can affirm that their motto is at the center of everything. The leadership and management are consistently finding ways to not only keep the existing sport groups; they are putting their “Yes” motto towards creating facilities that drive and sustain business for them year-round. If you are going to build bowling lanes, why not build the best in the country. While many of us in the sports industry are faced with “no” for our facilities, South Point consistently finds a way to “Say Yes.” 

Does Your Motto have a “Say Yes” attitude? 

How can you find ways to “double down” on facility attributes that can expand what you currently offer? 

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Want to showcase a facility in your destination? 
Contact: Vince Trinidad at Vince@SportsETA.org

Miss a previous Facility Showcase? Check them out here!