A modernized $375 million convention center which will be called ‘Caesars Forum‘ is currently in the works.
This project has already gained massive attention as there is speculation that this roomy new facility might become the new home of the World Series of Poker (WSOP).
VitalVegas, a popular Las Vegas-based blog recently reaffirmed the rumour citing that an inside source has said that Caesars Entertainment intends to sell the Rio which currently hosts the popular annual event.
The source claimed that Caesars wants to unload the Rio and that there are currently three interested buyers. After the sale is complete, the WSOP would be moved to Caesars Forum.
Previously shared Rio sale rumor looks like the real deal. Caesars highly motivated to cut her loose, insider confirms three viable entities circling. Aftermath of sale will include move of WSOP to Caesars Forum convention center, despite denials.
— Vital Vegas (@VitalVegas) August 27, 2018
The WSOP started off as a small-scale event in 1970. Benny Binion invited seven players to compete in a tournament at the Horseshoe Casino. The event slowly began to grow as more poker players entered. By 1987 there were over 2,100 entrants and that number swelled to over 8,700 entrants by the time the iconic event was relocated to the Rio in 2005.
Are The Rumors True?
The rumors of a change of venue for the WSOP have been swirling around for years. In 2013, PokerStars claimed that Caesars had offered the company both the Rio and the WSOP but nothing really happened. The Rio has played host to the WSOP for a number of years and has done a great job in accommodating the massive amount of players and fans who flock to the month and a half long tournament.
The WSOP held 78 bracelet events and hosted a field of 123,865 players in 2018 which was a record in both categories. The main event had 7,874 players which was second only to the field that competed in 2006.
Caesars Forum Will Be Much Larger
The Rio Convention Center boasts 160,000 square feet of meeting space while Caesars Forum, which will be built behind Harrah’s, will have 300,000 square feet of meeting space. The Amazon Ballroom which presently holds the WSOP is close to 40,000 square feet while the Rio’s Pavilion Ballroom is close to 55,000 square feet. Caesars Forum plans on having a pair of 108,000 ballrooms and two smaller 40,000 ballrooms. Caesars Forum plans to open their doors in 2020.
Caesars Entertainment
A Caesars spokesman wrote an email recently in which he stated that Caesars has not had any discussions involving the relocation of the WSOP and that the company continues to see the Rio as home to the WSOP.
