Pro sports own a lot of the spotlight in Las Vegas now. But the UNLV Rebels were the city’s first big-time team, and they’re still the one that ties campus, locals, and alumni together every season. If you’re new to town or just looking for an entry point into UNLV athletics, this is the lay of the land.
The Runnin’ Rebels: Las Vegas Basketball Royalty
UNLV men’s basketball is where the program built its national name. The Runnin’ Rebels play in the Mountain West Conference, call the Thomas & Mack Center home, and own one of the seventh-best winning percentages in Division I history.
The Tarkanian Era
Jerry “Tark the Shark” Tarkanian coached UNLV from 1973 to 1992 and went 509–105 across 19 seasons. His teams ran a fast-break offense and pressured everything on defense. They reached four Final Fours (1977, 1987, 1990, 1991) and won the program’s only national title in 1990, beating Duke 103–73 — still the most lopsided championship game in NCAA history and the only one in which a team has cleared 100 points.
The 1990 squad featured Larry Johnson, Greg Anthony, Stacey Augmon, David Butler, and Anderson Hunt. The 1991 follow-up team went 34–0 before losing to Duke in the Final Four. The Thomas & Mack Center floor is now named Jerry Tarkanian Court in his honor.
Where the Program Stands Now
The Runnin’ Rebels are in a new chapter. Josh Pastner took over as head coach for the 2025–26 season, his first at UNLV. The program has cycled through coaches since Tarkanian left, including Lon Kruger’s strong run in the late 2000s and Dave Rice’s tenure in the early 2010s. Pastner’s job is to bring back the consistent NCAA Tournament presence the Rebels had under Kruger.
The women’s basketball program, led by head coach Lindy La Rocque, has been a Mountain West contender and continues to draw national attention with marquee matchups.
UNLV Football: Allegiant Stadium and a New Era
Football has moved up the priority list at UNLV, and not by accident. The Rebels play home games at Allegiant Stadium — climate-controlled, on the Strip, and a real recruiting pitch. Sam Boyd Stadium and its desert sun are in the rearview.
Dan Mullen is the head coach, now in his second season after a 10–4 debut in 2025. His staff has leaned into local and regional recruiting and used the transfer portal to fill out the roster. The Rebels won the 2024 LA Bowl (24–13 over California) under previous coach Barry Odom, who took home Mountain West Coach of the Year in 2023, and played in the 2025 Frisco Bowl — signs of a program with consistent postseason ambitions for the first time in a long time.
The Battle for Nevada
The annual game against Nevada is the rivalry that matters. The prize is the Fremont Cannon, widely cited as the heaviest trophy in college football. The winning side paints it their color — scarlet for UNLV, blue for Nevada — and gets bragging rights until the next meeting. Nevada leads the all-time series 28–23 through 2025.
Beyond the Big Two: UNLV’s Other Programs
UNLV fields 16 varsity teams across men’s and women’s sports. A few worth knowing:
- Baseball: The Hustlin’ Rebels play at Earl E. Wilson Stadium and have produced MLB players including Marty Cordova, Cecil Fielder, Bryson Stott, and Matt Williams.
- Men’s golf and women’s golf: The men’s program is a perennial top-25 team with a 1998 NCAA team national title and PGA Tour alumni like Ryan Moore, Chad Campbell, Charley Hoffman, and Adam Scott. UNLV men’s golf won the 2026 Mountain West Championship.
- Track and field: Notable Rebel alumni include Olympic bobsled bronze medalist Aja Evans, hammer thrower Amanda Bingson, and head coach Carmelita Jeter, the 2012 Olympic 100m bronze medalist.
- Women’s tennis: Multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and a long list of Mountain West and conference honors.
- Men’s and women’s swimming and diving: Both teams train at the Buchanan Natatorium and have produced multiple Olympians representing the U.S., Canada, Sweden, and other countries.
Game Day: Venues, Parking, and Fan Tips
Allegiant Stadium for Football
- Capacity: 65,000 for football.
- Best seats: Lower bowl on the home side puts you behind the UNLV bench with clean sightlines.
- Big games: Mountain West dates against Boise State and Fresno State tend to bring the loudest crowds.
- Postseason: Watch for Las Vegas Bowl tie-ins each December.
- Schedule and updates: Follow UNLV’s official channels for the latest.
Thomas & Mack Center for Basketball
The Thomas & Mack Center sits on the southwest corner of the UNLV campus and holds nearly 18,000 fans. It opened in 1983 and was renamed Jerry Tarkanian Court in 2005.
Tips for game night:
- Arrive at least an hour early — campus traffic gets heavy.
- The Scarlet Lot and the Tropicana Parking Garage are your best parking options for quick in-and-out.
- Banners in the rafters honor the 1990 title, Final Four appearances, conference championships, and retired numbers including Larry Johnson, Greg Anthony, Stacey Augmon, and Anderson Hunt.
Facilities Beyond the Big Two
UNLV’s athletic facilities have been built up over the last 15 years. The Mendenhall Center is the basketball practice facility — 38,000 square feet across three levels with two full courts, locker rooms, strength and conditioning, and an academic area. The Fertitta Football Complex is the football training and operations home. Earl E. Wilson Stadium hosts baseball, the Frank and Vicki Fertitta Tennis Complex hosts tennis, and Eller Media Softball Stadium hosts softball.
Tickets and Joining the Crowd
- Online: UNLVtickets.com is the official ticket hub for every UNLV sport.
- In person: The Thomas & Mack Center box office is open weekdays.
- Students: Enrolled students claim tickets through the university portal — many sports are free or heavily discounted.
- The Rebellion: UNLV’s student section. Membership gets you priority seating, pregame tailgates, and exclusive merch.
Show up in scarlet and gray and you’ll fit right in.
Backing UNLV Athletes Directly
NIL changed college sports, and Las Vegas is a real market for it. RallyFuel’s UNLV pages let fans Fuel athletes by sport — including football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball, men’s golf, women’s golf, women’s tennis, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and track and field. Fans pool contributions toward NIL deals, and if a deal’s conditions aren’t met the contributions are refunded. It’s an extra layer of fan support for the Rebel athletes you want to see win — on top of buying tickets and showing up. The full Mountain West Conference page on RallyFuel covers the broader league if you want to back athletes at rival programs too.
Quick Answers
Who is the UNLV men’s basketball head coach? Josh Pastner, in his first season as of 2025–26.
Who is the UNLV football head coach? Dan Mullen, in his second season after a 10–4 debut in 2025.
What’s the capacity of the Thomas & Mack Center? Nearly 18,000 for basketball.
When did UNLV win its national basketball title? 1990, beating Duke 103–73 — still the most lopsided NCAA championship game on record.
What’s the Fremont Cannon? The trophy awarded each year in the UNLV–Nevada football rivalry. The winner paints it their color. Nevada leads the series 28–23 through 2025.
Where do I buy tickets? UNLVtickets.com is the official site for every UNLV sport.
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