The College Basketball Crown and Circa Resort & Casino, Downtown Las Vegas’ premier adults-only luxury resort, have announced the return of the Crown Town Fan Fest at Stadium Swim, bringing back one of the tournament’s marquee fan experiences during the 2026 championship weekend in Las Vegas. Circa Resort & Casino is a Founding Partner and Official Host Hotel of the College Basketball Crown, with the agreement brokered by AEG Global Partnerships.

The annual College Basketball Crown will take place April 1–5, 2026, in Las Vegas at MGM Grand Garden Arena and T-Mobile Arena, airing nationally on FOX and FS1. The elite eight-team postseason tournament will feature top programs from the Big Ten, Big 12, and BIG EAST conferences that narrowly miss NCAA Tournament selection, along with two wild-card teams selected by the tournament’s competition committee. The tournament will culminate with semifinal and championship matchups at T-Mobile Arena during championship weekend.

This year’s Crown Town Fan Fest will take place Friday, April 3, from 12–4 p.m. at Stadium Swim at Circa Resort & Casino, the resort’s multi-level rooftop pool and amphitheater featuring a 143-foot screen. Timed ahead of the College Basketball Crown semifinals and championship games, the event will once again unite fans, tournament stakeholders, and college basketball insiders for an elevated, all-day celebration in the heart of Downtown Las Vegas.

“As a Founding Partner of the College Basketball Crown, we’re proud to once again host Crown Town Fan Fest at Stadium Swim and welcome fans back for another unforgettable championship-weekend experience. Stadium Swim was built to deliver moments like this – where sports, energy, and community collide – and we’re excited to offer fans multiple ways to be part of the action through Crown Town Fan Fest tickets and exclusive room packages,” said Derek Stevens, Owner and CEO of Circa Resort & Casino.

Tickets for the Crown Town Fan Fest and exclusive Circa room packages – which include a two-night stay, College Basketball Crown game tickets, and Crown Town Fan Fest access – are now available for purchase through Circa’s website.

“The return of Crown Town Fan Fest reflects the continued momentum of the College Basketball Crown and the strength of our partnership with Circa. Together, we’re focused on delivering premium, fan-first experiences that elevate the championship weekend both inside and outside the arena,” said Nick Baker, President and COO of AEG Global Partnerships and board member of the College Basketball Crown.

Circa Sports Kentucky is expanding its footprint with the debut of Kentucky’s largest retail sportsbook at The Mint Gaming Hall Kentucky Downs in Franklin. Opening this summer, the new 21 and over venue will feature an 80-foot-wide LED screen, a 31-foot-wide odds board, and over 5100 square feet of action-packed space.

“Introducing a sportsbook of this caliber to Kentucky marks a significant milestone for Circa Sports. We’re also seeing excitement from fans in Tennessee—especially in Nashville. Together with The Mint, we’re creating a high-tech betting destination that will bring a new level of live-viewing excitement for customers across both states. The Mint has been an exceptional partner in turning this vision into reality, and we look forward to welcoming guests later this year,” said Derek Stevens, CEO of Circa Sports.

Highlights will include:

• 80-Foot-Wide Screen: Fans can catch the action on an 80-foot-wide LED screen, complete with a 31-foot-wide odds board displaying real-time lines and updates.

• Premium Seating Options: Guests can relax in one of 113 stadium-style seats, luxury recliners or three tiers of booth-style seating.

• Flexible Betting Access: The sportsbook will feature five staffed betting stations, including an ADA-accessible station and four self-service kiosks, along with three self-service kiosks in The Mint.

• VSiN Broadcast Studio: A VSiN (Vegas Stats & Information Network) broadcast studio will be housed within the book, where live on-air talent, analysis, and gameday content will be captured daily.

Johan Mirkovic, The Mint Gaming Hall Kentucky Downs’ vice president and general manager, said: “The Circa Sportsbook adds yet more amenities for our guests enjoying The Mint Gaming Hall’s gambling, entertainment and dining options. This region, spanning the Kentucky-Tennessee border, is a true sports enthusiast’s haven. The upcoming Circa Sportsbook will elevate the experience, offering the area’s premier viewing venue for all your favorite sporting events—no matter where you are.”

Las Vegas sports betting venture Circa Sports awarded $20,266,000 in prizes to the winners of its professional football contests, Circa Survivor and Circa Million VI.

Highlights of the winnings included the largest Circa Survivor pool in contest history of $14.26 million. This was split equally among C3 Picks, DREAM STAKES, MEATBALL BROTHERS, PUMBAPACK9, TY1823, VODKA JOHNNY, WHATEVERYALLWANT, and Whiskey Business. The $1 million Circa Million VI prize went to Team BP. The winners came all over North America, including Las Vegas, Henderson, California, Arizona, Indiana, Maine, Virginia, Ohio, Texas, Florida, New York, Michigan, and Canada.

“Betting history was made this week. This season of the Circa Sports contests was our biggest one yet and a true fight to the finish. Each year, the best part of Circa Survivor and Circa Million is the bond we form with the contestants, and we love their commitment and enthusiasm for every step of the season. Congratulations to all the winners,” said Derek Stevens, CEO of Circa Sports.

Circa Survivor 2024/2025 returned with a no-rake payout of $10 million guaranteed for the last entry standing, with additional funds added because entries exceeded. The contest consisted of up to 20 legs throughout the year, one for every week of the football season plus two special weeks. Each week, participants had to choose a team to win straight up, but the player could not pick the same team twice for the duration of the season. Thanksgiving/Black Friday and Christmas Day were each considered their own weeks. Entries were eliminated by selecting a team that subsequently lost or tied its game that week.

Circa Million VI boasts 126 different ways to win throughout the season with $6 million in total prizes. First place overall was awarded $1 million and a coveted Circa Sports blue jacket while the remaining prize pool was allocated amongst places two through 100, the quarterly top five and booby prize winners. Each player made five picks against the spread each week. One point was awarded for each correct selection and one-half point for each push.