GGG Demolition and Bally’s Corp. imploded the Tropicana Las Vegas hotel at 2:30 a.m. on Oct. 9, marking a major turning point for both Las Vegas and Major League Baseball. The highly anticipated implosion of the Tropicana paves the way for the construction of a state-of-the-art ballpark and a world-class entertainment resort destination, to be created in partnership with Bally’s Corp. The new stadium will be home to the recently relocated Las Vegas Athletics Major League Baseball team.
The breathtaking spectacle of the implosion of the Tropicana featured 555 drones and a fireworks display by acclaimed visual creator, Fireworks by Grucci. Streaming videos of the implosion are available from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority on X at x.com/vegas, by Bally Live at ballylive.com, and via the Bally Live app, available for download on all major platforms.
“The Tropicana Las Vegas was one of the original pioneers of the [Las Vegas] Strip, setting the stage for the vibrant, larger-than-life entertainment destination we know and love today,” says Soo Kim, chair of Bally’s Corp, in a prepared statement. “It’s fitting that this iconic site now represents the future of Las Vegas as we look forward to welcoming Major League Baseball, the Athletics, and an exciting new entertainment complex. This moment in Las Vegas history represents more than just the next chapter—it’s the evolution of the Strip, where legend meets innovation to create something truly unforgettable.”
John Fisher, owner of the Las Vegas Athletics (A’s), adds, “The demolition of the Tropicana is an important milestone in the process of bringing A’s baseball to the world-renowned Las Vegas Strip and the community of Southern Nevada. We hope that, in time, this site will become a place of unforgettable experiences for fans of the game. We extend our gratitude to Bally’s and [Tropicana Las Vegas owner] Gaming & Leisure Properties Inc. for their partnership as we embark on this project together.”
The Tropicana Las Vegas, often referred to as “The Trop,” has been a cornerstone of the Las Vegas Strip since its opening in 1957. Developed by Miami, Florida-based entrepreneur Ben Jaffe, its luxurious South Beach-inspired architecture and tropical theme set a new standard for opulence, quickly earning it the moniker “The Tiffany of the Strip.” The Tropicana boasted the largest casino in Las Vegas at the time of its opening, drawing in an elite crowd of high rollers and celebrities.
For over six decades, the Tropicana Las Vegas remained an iconic fixture on the Strip, representing the evolution of entertainment, luxury, and gaming in the city. From its Rat Pack-era heyday and the glamorous Folies Bergère to now the future home of the Athletics and a cutting-edge entertainment complex by Bally’s Corp., the Tropicana’s history reflects the spirit of reinvention and excitement that defines Las Vegas. A full timeline of the history of the Tropicana Las Vegas is linked here.
The implosion was facilitated by GGG Demolition in coordination with Controlled Demolition Inc. (CDI), which has a rich history of safely demolishing structures in Clark County, Nevada. CDI took down the Tropicana’s two towers, with a total of 917,400 square feet demolished. The steel-framed 23-story Paradise Tower featured 220 cut-point locations loaded with 490 pounds of explosives, while the concrete-framed, 23-story Club Tower had 1,130 boreholes filled with 1,700 pounds of explosives. A total of 22,000 lineal feet of detonating cord was used for implosion initiation in both structures at the end of the fireworks and drone show. The demolition sequence started with the Paradise Tower, and both structures collapsed within approximately 22 seconds after the implosion button was pressed.