UNLV Basketball Week: BYU, Missouri and the Free Lady Rebels Fall Festival (Oct. 24-29)
A verified Las Vegas plan for the free Lady Rebels Fall Festival and practice on Oct. 24, UNLV vs. BYU at 1 p.m., and Missouri on Oct. 29, with Thomas & Mack bag, parking and transit rules.
Las Vegas has a rare two-part basketball Saturday on October 24: a free Lady Rebels fall festival and open practice in the morning, followed by UNLV men’s basketball against No. 25 BYU at 1 p.m. A second men’s exhibition against Missouri follows Thursday, October 29 at 7 p.m. All times below are Las Vegas local time (Pacific). The games are exhibitions, not regular-season contests.
At a glance: what happens when?
- Saturday, October 24, 10:45-11:30 a.m.: Lady Rebels Fall Festival outside Thomas & Mack Center, with games, free food and trunk-or-treat activities.
- Saturday, October 24, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Lady Rebels open practice inside The Pavilion, followed by a meet-and-greet and autograph opportunity. The festival and practice are open to the public.
- Saturday, October 24, 1 p.m.: UNLV men’s basketball vs. BYU at Thomas & Mack Center, a separately ticketed exhibition. UNLV says the game streams on MW+.
- Thursday, October 29, 7 p.m.: UNLV men’s basketball vs. Missouri at Thomas & Mack Center, another separately ticketed exhibition.
Both men’s game times are confirmed by UNLV’s official 2026-27 schedule. Some older ticket-search snippets show a different BYU time; rely on UNLV’s October 22 game preview and the current ticket checkout, and recheck before traveling.
Saturday’s smart plan: festival first, then basketball
Start at the Lady Rebels Fall Festival at 10:45 a.m. outside Thomas & Mack Center. The free activities include food, games and trunk-or-treating. The open practice runs from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. inside The Pavilion. This is a chance to meet the women’s team without needing a ticket to the men’s exhibition.
Important timing: the open practice ends just 30 minutes before the men’s game tips off at 1 p.m. If you plan to attend both, do not count on staying for every autograph and still making the opening tip. Allow time to move between The Pavilion and the main arena, pass security and find your seat. Check the game ticket for its exact entrance and doors information.
BYU is ranked No. 25 in UNLV’s October 22 preview. It is a meaningful preseason test and a first Thomas & Mack visit for the former Mountain West rival in years. The men’s game is not part of the free festival; secure a valid admission ticket separately through UNLV’s official game page.
Coming back Thursday? Missouri visits October 29
The Runnin’ Rebels’ third and final home exhibition is against Missouri at 7 p.m. Thursday, October 29. This is a separate game and a separate ticket, not an extension of Saturday’s admission. Check the official AXS event listing or the UNLV schedule for current details. UNLV opens its regular season against Northern Arizona on November 3.
Getting to Thomas & Mack Center
The venue is at 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154, on the UNLV campus near Tropicana Avenue. For drivers, the arena’s official parking page identifies Red, Scarlet and Gray lots; parking charges vary by event, so do not assume parking is free. The venue prohibits tailgating and overnight parking without permission. Accessible parking and drop-off information are on the venue’s accessibility page.
For transit, the RTC Maryland Parkway RED LINE replaced Route 109 in August 2026 and serves UNLV. Check current stop locations and travel alerts, because corridor construction can affect travel times. Rideshare can be practical, but verify the permitted pickup location with the driver and follow venue signage. From the Strip, allow extra time rather than assuming a short, fixed journey.
Bag rules, doors and accessibility
Thomas & Mack Center and The Pavilion use the same published bag policy: clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches; one-gallon clear freezer bags; or small clutches/purses up to 8 x 11 inches after inspection. Medically necessary items may receive an exception after screening. Large backpacks, luggage and oversized purses are not allowed.
The venue generally opens doors one hour before an event, but says the ticket may specify an exception. Confirm before setting your arrival time, particularly if moving directly from the free practice. Accessible seating and assisted listening arrangements are available through venue guest services; ticket availability and assistance are event-specific.
Build the rest of your Las Vegas visit
Use the WassupVegas Sports schedule to check the BYU and Missouri entries, or scan the full Vegas Events Calendar for other activities. Staying on the Strip? Our without-a-rental-car guide and Trip Planner help you compare transit, rideshare and a realistic postgame evening. For other ideas, browse Today in Las Vegas, Tonight and Vegas Guides.
Before you go: UNLV, the arena and the ticket operator control schedules, admission, entry procedures and availability. Event details can change. We do not guarantee tickets, prices, parking availability or autograph access. Links above go to official organizers or WassupVegas planning resources; no affiliate tracking is used in this guide.
Photo credit: Featured exterior photo of Thomas & Mack Center (2011) by Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. Image resized, otherwise unmodified. This is archival venue photography, not a photo of the October 2026 games.
