Las Vegas, Nevada is the heart of entertainment and scenery, but it has also become the center of the sports world. 

It hosts basketball tournaments, Ultimate Fighting Championship fights, boxing fights, NFL games, WNBA games, Formula 1 races and more.

In addition, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is located by the strip, where people go to watch games at the Thomas & Mack Center, UNLV’s basketball stadium. 

Every March, right before March Madness, each conference hosts a tournament to try to earn a bid to the big nationally televised tournament.  

One time a year, fans from 11 different teams in the Mountain West Conference come together to show off their school’s spirit for the postseason tournament.

For many individuals, this is not their first rodeo. San Diego State fan, Cynde Vanwyk has been going for the past six years. 

“It’s a comfortable place,” Vanwyk said. “It’s kind of fun because you see a lot of people you’ve seen before, it’s fun.”

The Mountain West tournament has been held in the Thomas & Mack Center for 15 years. 

Fans can experience a loud environment with cheerleaders, the band and the team mascot. They can also enjoy food and drinks. 

“When the games not going on, it’s friendly and amicable and you can talk with friends and stuff,” Vanwyk said. “While the games going on it can get a little crusty, but other than that it’s a lot of fun.” 

Unlike regular season games, fans get a feel of a neutral site where people from every conference team come together to play on the same court. 

A Thomas & Mack Center usher, Valisia Blount, said she enjoys it when the seats get filled up. 

“It’s majority of newcomers but we have a lot of old-comers that come here as well,” said Blount. “We love them.”

During an intense win or go-home game, the fans keep the team going by cheering, bringing signs and clapping. 

The culture of the Mountain West Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada is a rivalry, but it brings fans from all over the country together to cheer on their favorite team.