Las Vegas Demolishes Iconic Tropicana Casino Hotel in Spectacular Grand Finale

LAS VEGAS, Nev., Oct. 9 (KNN) — The Tropicana Las Vegas was celebrated with a grand finale that included fireworks before the 67-year-old resort was taken to the ground in controlled demolition early Wednesday morning. The building has been deserted since it closed this past April.

The demolition will pave the way for constructing the A’s state-of-the-art ballpark and a world-class destination created in partnership with Bally’s Corporation, a name synonymous with Vegas hospitality and gaming.

The Tropicana was the last remaining casino of its era on the Las Vegas Strip. Fireworks by Grucci created a spectacular 555 drone and fireworks display for the event. Controlled Demolition, Inc., leaders in large-scale implosions, oversaw the demolition of both 22-story towers totaling 917,400 square feet.

The structural steel-framed Paradise Tower featured 220 cut-point locations loaded with 490 pounds of explosives, while the reinforced concrete-framed Club Tower was slated to have 1,130 boreholes filled with 1,700 pounds of explosives.

At the end of the fireworks and drone presentation, 22,000 lineal feet of detonating cord initiated the implosion in both towers. The demolition sequence started with the Paradise Tower, and both structures collapsed within seconds after the implosion button was pressed.

“The Tropicana Las Vegas was one of the original pioneers of the Strip, setting the stage for the vibrant, larger-than-life entertainment destination we know and love today,” said Bally’s Corporation Chairman Soo Kim. “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.”

A’s owner, John Fisher, said, “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 GLPI for their partnership as we embark on this project together.”

The A’s will be making their move to Las Vegas for Opening Day 2028. For more information, visit athletics.com.

Keith Johnson, Video Journalist / KNN