Michelob ULTRA Arena

The Michelob ULTRA Arena now belongs to the Las Vegas Aces of the Women's National Basketball Association. The seating is tight, pressing the crowd close to the action. When the Aces are playing, the energy is specific; it is not the raucous noise of a football stadium. It is the sharp sound of sneakers on hardwood and the occasional roar when the ball goes through the hoop.

The facility has seen better days, though it has been polished up. A renovation finished in 2018 brought plush seats and a new floor, turning the space into a proper venue for professional basketball. Before that, it hosted the G League Ignite, and even before that, it was a neutral ground for the Golden Knights. Now, the banners hanging high belong to the Aces, celebrating their championships in consecutive years. The building does not have a natural grass field or an open roof to let in the Nevada wind. It is a sealed box, cool inside regardless of the heat outside. The crowd here does not travel to make up the numbers; they are local, wearing green and gold, and they know the difference between a win and a loss. The history between the Aces and their opponents adds an edge to the game, but the arena itself is just a container for the sport.