UFC Fan Expo moves from Mandalay Bay Convention Center to Sands Expo in Las Vegas

T.J. Dillashaw

This year’s UFC Fan Expo, part of the 2015 “International Fight Week,” is heading to a new location.

For the first time, the Fan Expo will take place at Sands Expo in Las Vegas, part of the nearby Venetian property. UFC officials recently announced the venue for the event, which has tickets on sale Jan. 27.

The UFC Fan Expo is set for July 10-11, with the UFC 189 pay—per-view following on July 11. “International Fight Week” takes place July 7-12.

In past years, Mandalay Bay Convention Center has hosted the Fan Expo. There was no reason given for this year’s switch.

This past year’s “International Fight Week” was centered around UFC 175. Nearly 70,000 fans attended the 2014 “International Fight Week,” the UFC said. The events in Las Vegas featured UFC 175 and the TUF 19 Finale on back-to-back nights at Mandalay Bay Events Center, and the Mandalay Bay Convention Center hosted the UFC Fan Expo, which featured hundreds of fighter autograph and photo opportunities, as well as hundreds of vendors.

Then throughout the city, there were fighter meet and greets, pool parties, a free concert downtown on Fremont Street, weigh-ins, press conferences and open workouts, all available for fans to attend along with the fights. In addition, there were movie screenings, charity bowling, a 5K, amateur tournaments and more.

The 2015 version promises the same types of events, and given the lengthy notice, maybe even bigger and better for fans.

Stay tuned to MMAjunkie, as more details on the 2015 “International Fight Week” fan offerings are expected to be announced in the coming months.

For more on UFC 189, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.