Las Vegas Convention Center Unveils $600 Million 8-Year Renovation

The Las Vegas Convention Center’s historic Central Hall reopened on January 5 following an eight-year, $600 million transformation. The launch was marked by a joint ribbon-cutting ceremony by LVCVA officials and Consumer Technology Association (CTA) leadership. This milestone comes a day before CES 2026, the city’s flagship tech expo, which will debut in the renovated space.

The renovation matches the Central, North, and South halls with the West Wall’s cutting-edge design unveiled in 2021. It integrates similar aesthetics, advanced technology, and upgrades attendee amenities across the 4.6 million sq ft complex. The legacy campus started in 2023 and completes the LVCVA’s multi-phase vision to make Las Vegas a premier global events destination.

Modernized Features

The revitalized Central Hall now features a floor-to-ceiling glass wall that illuminates its grand lobby with daylight, paired with three massive digital screens, including a 75-foot-wide centerpiece, designed for immersive exhibitor branding. A fully enclosed concourse bridges the North and South halls, eliminating the need to go outdoors to access all areas on the expanded campus.

Key functional upgrades include intuitive wayfinding systems, 20% more dining outlets, and eco-conscious infrastructure that reduces water use by 15%. The redesigned South Hall entrance streamlines attendee flow, while new executive facilities include a tech-enabled boardroom overlooking exhibition floors.

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Decades-Long Vision

The renovation, initially proposed nearly 20 years ago but delayed by the 2008 financial crisis, was completed after accelerated construction began in 2023. Remarkably, Central Hall remained operational throughout most upgrades, closing only briefly for final touches before this week’s unveiling.

“This transition redefines large-scale event standards,” LVCVA CEO Steve Hill remarked, noting the alignment with CES’s innovation-driven principles. The design extends the West Hall’s signature roofline, creating visual continuity while accommodating 12% more foot traffic than the capacity before the renovation.

Global Footprint

CES 2026 marks the first event utilizing the convention center’s full 2.5 million sq ft of indoor exhibition space, now America’s second largest behind Chicago’s McCormick Place. The tech showcase will span 13 additional venues citywide and maintain its tradition as a Las Vegas event since 1978. Organizers anticipate 142,000 attendees through January 9, with over 40% arriving from abroad.

To accommodate international demand, airlines added 360 flights to Harry Reid International Airport, including routes from nine countries. While Las Vegas experienced a tourism dip in 2025, convention attendance was resilient at 5.9 million visitors.