The Tropicana Hotel is not being demolished tonight. Its two remaining towers were imploded at approximately 2:30 a.m. Pacific time on October 9, 2024, after a farewell ceremony, fireworks, and a 555-drone show. Here is how to watch the archived footage now—and why the landmark mattered.
The Tropicana Hotel is not being demolished tonight. The Las Vegas landmark closed on April 2, 2024, and its two remaining hotel towers were imploded at approximately 2:30 a.m. Pacific time on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. The farewell included a fireworks display and a 555-drone presentation.
If you are looking for the event now, the practical option is an archived video or news replay—not a live broadcast. MLB.com preserves an official short video titled Tropicana Implosion, dated October 9, 2024. CBS News, Paramount+, and other news organizations also retain coverage of the fireworks, drone show, and demolition. Availability and video URLs can change, so verify the replay page immediately before publication or viewing.
How to watch the Tropicana implosion replay
- Official short video: Look for MLB.com’s October 9, 2024 video titled Tropicana Implosion.
- News coverage: CBS News and Paramount+ maintain video coverage pages, and other outlets preserve footage from the farewell spectacle.
- Search terms: If a particular page has moved, search for Tropicana implosion October 9 2024 replay or Tropicana fireworks drone show demolition.
The original event was not open to spectators at the demolition site. For safety reasons, viewers were directed to online coverage. At the time, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority promoted a livestream through its X account, while Bally’s—the property’s operator—also hosted or promoted a separate livestream. Those were the original viewing arrangements, not current live options, and an old social-media post should not be assumed to remain active.
#1 Best Overall
What happened during the Tropicana farewell
The ceremony began as a tribute to the Tropicana’s place in Las Vegas history. Bally’s and the Athletics presented the demolition as the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new development phase for the site.
The farewell sequence combined three spectacles:
- A ceremony honoring the resort and its legacy;
- A fireworks display produced by Fireworks by Grucci;
- A 555-drone presentation, followed by the controlled implosion of the hotel towers.
The implosion itself took roughly 22 seconds. Controlled Demolition, Inc. and GGG Demolition handled the work. According to the Athletics’ account, the demolition involved approximately 22,000 linear feet of detonating cord and two 22-story towers totaling about 917,400 square feet.
The two structures presented different engineering challenges. The Paradise Tower used structural steel, while the Club Tower was built with reinforced concrete. Both were prepared for a controlled collapse rather than simply being torn down piece by piece.
Why the Tropicana mattered to Las Vegas
The Tropicana opened on the Las Vegas Strip in 1957 and became known as the “Tiffany of the Strip.” Its tropical design, celebrity entertainment, Rat Pack-era associations, and connections to the city’s organized-crime history made it more than an ordinary hotel-casino. The Neon Museum describes it as a Las Vegas mainstay for more than 65 years and preserves part of that story through its historical collection, including a Tropicana sign.
Entertainment was central to the property’s identity. The Folies Bergère debuted at the Tropicana on Christmas Eve in 1959 and became one of the resort’s signature attractions. Readers interested in that part of the hotel’s history may want to explore The Folies Bergère in Las Vegas book, a historical work focused on the production and its place in Las Vegas show-business history. It is a background-reading recommendation, not a way to watch the demolition.
What replaced the Tropicana site?
The former Tropicana property is being redeveloped for the Athletics’ planned Las Vegas ballpark and related entertainment development. MLB reported in June 2026 that construction was progressing and that the ballpark is expected to open in 2028.
The proposed stadium is described as a roughly 33,000-seat ballpark occupying about nine acres of the former Tropicana site. The wider project is connected to the Athletics’ move to Las Vegas and to planned resort and entertainment development associated with Bally’s and its partners. The 2028 opening remains a projected schedule, not a completed fact.
Where the Tropicana legacy lives on
A replay shows the final spectacle, but it cannot preserve the building itself. For a historical follow-up, the Neon Museum is the most direct destination: its collection and exhibits document Las Vegas signs, resorts, and the visual culture that shaped the Strip. Check the museum’s current exhibit and tour information before visiting, since displays and access arrangements can change.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The Tropicana’s physical towers are gone, but its story survives through archival footage, the history of the Folies Bergère, preserved signage, and the memories attached to more than six decades of Las Vegas entertainment.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Tropicana demolished?
The Tropicana was imploded at approximately 2:30 a.m. Pacific time on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. The demolition lasted about 22 seconds.
Can I watch the Tropicana demolition live?
No. The event is over. Look for an archived video, including MLB.com’s official October 9, 2024 video titled Tropicana Implosion, or current coverage preserved by CBS News, Paramount+, and other news organizations.
What happened before the Tropicana implosion?
The farewell included a ceremony, fireworks produced by Fireworks by Grucci, a 555-drone presentation, and the controlled implosion of the two remaining 22-story hotel towers.
Recommended Free Tools
What will be built where the Tropicana stood?
The site is being redeveloped for an Athletics Las Vegas ballpark and related entertainment development. The planned roughly 33,000-seat stadium is expected to open in 2028, although that is a projected date.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: The Tropicana’s fireworks, drone show, and implosion took place in the early morning of October 9, 2024. Viewers in 2026 should watch an archived replay—such as MLB.com’s Tropicana Implosion video or current CBS News and Paramount+ coverage—rather than look for a live event. The former site is now being prepared for the Athletics’ planned Las Vegas ballpark, expected to open in 2028.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
