The MGM Springfield Opening: Everything You Need To Know
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Prepare for a grand celebration as Downtown Springfield gears up to host an extravagant party in honor of the spectacular $960 million MGM Springfield casino and resort complex.
The grand opening of MGM Springfield is scheduled for Friday, August 24th. The event will feature a parade down Main Street, showcasing the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales, along with local dignitaries and surprise entertainment. The parade will be joined by enthusiastic MGM staff.
At 10:30 a.m. local time, the Main Street procession is set to commence at the intersection of State Street and Main Street. The procession will conclude at the front doors of MGM Springfield, which are scheduled to officially open to the public at 11 a.m.
Highlights include a 125,000 square-foot casino
The property in Downtown Springfield spans 14.5 acres across three city blocks and measures 2 million square feet. It boasts a smoke-free casino covering an area of 125,000 square feet. Within the casino, visitors can enjoy a vast array of gambling options, including 2,550 slot machines, 120 table games, as well as a poker room and a luxurious high-limit VIP gaming lounge.
In addition to its casino, MGM Springfield boasts a 250-room hotel, a wide range of shopping and dining choices, and a brand-new 3,400 space parking garage located at Union Street and East Columbus Avenue, where visitors can enjoy complimentary parking.
Parking and traffic information
Throughout the entire opening weekend, downtown Springfield is anticipated to have heavy traffic, causing significant congestion.
MassLive.com has reported that Springfield will be taking measures to alleviate traffic congestion on Interstate 91 and certain local roads. To achieve this, Exit 6 will be temporarily closed for a few hours starting at 6 a.m. Motorists planning to attend the opening are strongly advised to utilize Exits 4, 5 or 7 instead.
After all 3,400 garage spaces have been occupied, visitors are urged to park for free at the Big E.
Starting at 6 a.m., an express shuttle service will transport individuals from Big E to the property. The shuttle will operate every five to ten minutes until 8 a.m. on Saturday. Additionally, Memorial Bridge will accommodate an express lane dedicated to the Big E shuttle.
Additional transportation options
On top of that, MGM Springfield has joined forces with Uber to establish specific spots for passengers to be picked up or dropped off when using the ride-sharing service. Furthermore, a complimentary public transportation service called The Loop will be inaugurated on Friday, connecting MGM Springfield with Union Station, the Basketball Hall of Fame, the Springfield Armory, and various other downtown attractions.
In the end, The Loop’s operating hours will be from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every Wednesday through Sunday.
In addition, there will be parking options at:
- The address for the Civic Center Garage is 41 Harrison Ave.
- The address for the I-91 South Garage is 1620 East Columbus Ave.
- The location is 1870 East Columbus Ave, known as the I-91 North Garage.
- The address for the Union Station Garage is 1771 Main St.
- The address of Tower Square Garage is 1500 Main St.
- 1414 Main St is the location of Monarch Garage.
The Republican located at 1860 Main St. is providing parking services at a cost of $10 per car. Nevertheless, it is important to note that parking restrictions will be enforced in the streets surrounding MGM Springfield during the entire opening weekend.
The grand opening of Downtown Springfield will result in road closures.
- Main Street stretches from Court Street to Union Street.
- The section of State Street stretching from MGM Way to Dwight Street.
- From Main Street to Hall of Fame Avenue, the stretch of Union Street spans.
MGM Springfield gaming revenue projections
MGM Resorts holds a strong positive outlook towards the local gambling market.
By year three of operations, the gaming giant anticipates that the property will generate an annual gross gaming revenue of $500 million. Nearly 87 percent of this income is expected to originate from patrons located in Western Massachusetts and northwestern Connecticut.
Slot machines are anticipated to generate over $400 million, while table games will contribute the remaining revenue. MGM forecasts that in its fourth year, the property will earn approximately $512 million in total gross gaming revenue, with an expected increase to $525 million in year five.
More amenities to enjoy
MGM Springfield offers more than just a casino and hotel. Visitors can enjoy a variety of entertainment options, such as the TopGolf Swing Suite, a full-service spa, a luxury cinema, the Tap Arcade, and a 10-lane Bowling Alley.
Chefs Michael Mina and Adam Sobel’s Cal Mare and The Chandler Steakhouse, owned by Hell’s Kitchen season 14 winner Meghan Gill, will be among the luxurious dining choices available.
Some of the casual dining choices available are Wicked Noodles, Jack’s Lobster Shack, and Bill’s Diner, all located in the South End Market.
In addition, the property boasts several bars and lounges, namely the Lobby Bar, The Knox Bar, a late-night gaming lounge operating until 4 a.m., and the Commonwealth Bar & Lounge.
During the grand opening weekend, there will be a wide range of live entertainment for everyone to enjoy. One of the highlights includes a performance by Dropkick Murphys at The Plaza in MGM Springfield on Saturday, August 25th. Following this, the A-list entertainment lineup will commence on September 1st with a concert featuring Stevie Wonder at the newly opened MassMutual Center.
Massachusetts’ second commercial casino
MGM Springfield is set to become the second commercial casino in Massachusetts, offering an all-inclusive experience as New England’s premier luxury resort, casino, and entertainment hub.
In 2015, Penn National Gaming introduced the Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville, making it the first casino in the state of Massachusetts. Scheduled to open in the summer of 2019, the Encore Boston Harbor (previously known as Wynn Boston Harbor) in Everett will become the third commercial casino property in the state, with a whopping cost of $2.4 billion.
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is in the process of constructing the initial Native American casino in the state. The First Light Resort & Casino, estimated to cost $1 billion, is scheduled to open its doors in Taunton sometime in 2018.
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