General

Even Las Vegas’ saddest hotels are cashing in on Mayweather vs. Pacquiao

Even if you just wanna go to The Stratosphere or a Red Roof Inn on Mayweather-Pacquiao weekend, you’re going to have to pay big.

by Rodger Sherman

Apr 27, 2015, 9:09 PM UTC

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We all know there’s a ton of big money for Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. It’s the largest payout for a single sporting event, with a projected purse of $300 million and Floyd Mayweather potentially earning up to $180 million. It’s the most expensive pay-per-view event ever. It’s the most expensive ticket in sports history. Even the closed-circuit TV viewing available at the MGM Grand has a record price.

But this event isn’t just propping up boxers and promoters and the MGM Grand, which is lucky enough to hold the event. Everybody in Vegas will cash in -- even hotels miles from the glitz and glamor of the strip are offering exorbitant prices as the hordes flood into Sin City.

Note that the potential visitors shelling out hundreds of dollars for rooms normally worth dozens aren’t necessarily paying to go to the fight, or even to watch it. They’re just paying to be in the city where this event is happening.

We scanned Kayak.com for hotel rates in Vegas this weekend and compared to the regular price of the room, using next weekend as an example of a regular Saturday. You can still get a few rates for under $100, but at most hotels, you’re looking at a price two to three times as high as regular rates. Let’s take a peek!