It came down to one ball, one strike, for $1 million. Ernie McCracken cradled the bowl and eyed the lane. His hair flopped around like a poor man’s Robert Smith, exposing his bald spot. The crowd went silent, and McCracken pursed his lips before rolling the ball down the lane. Strike! McCracken wins by one pin! He dances on the floor, and the crowd goes wild.
This was the scene at a 1996 tournament at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev. It is also purely fictional—the final competition as portrayed in the comedy movie Kingpin. The Farrelly brothers, Bobby and Peter, used the stadium for the film’s climactic set. Its expansive size makes it cinematic in scope. This also makes the venue a great place to hold an impressive event, or an event to impress.
The National Bowling Stadium was one of many multifunctional meeting spaces I visited during a recent press trip to Reno hosted by Caesars Entertainment. The Los Angeles Times once dubbed the stadium the “Taj Mahal of Tenpins” for good reason. It features 78 lanes and plays host to some of the world’s biggest bowling tournaments, such as the USBC Open and the USBC Women’s National Championships. When they’re in town, these tournaments have an economic impact of $80 million for Reno, making them important to the city.
When such tournaments aren’t scheduled, the stadium is available for events. A 32,000-square-foot concourse on the fourth floor can accommodate up to 4,000 people for a reception or 1,400 for a seated banquet. Behind the lanes is the Squad Room that groups can use for functions.
“This is a cool space for other events,” says Chad Peters, the stadium’s operations manager, during a facility tour. “We’ve had quinceañeras back here, parties and banquets. We can put about 450 to 500 people back here in chairs. We can put about 350 people here in tables and chairs.”
The Stadium Club, also on the fourth floor, is a private bar and lounge accommodating up to 64 people. Interesting tidbit: The physical bar itself, designed by Brunswick, originally appeared at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893.
Downstairs, planners can utilize the Kingpin Club for events of up to 100 people. It features 10 bowling lanes and a catering space along its back wall. Groups can also use the club’s black and disco lights to create a party atmosphere.
The National Bowling Stadium’s exterior features a huge, silver ball. Those who have never visited the venue wonder if it’s just for decoration. Within that ball, though, is a 172-seat IMAX theater that groups can use for events and meetings.
By foot or car
One of the great things about Reno is that it’s compact, making it easy to get to places quickly on foot or by car. No surprise, then, that its nickname is “The Biggest Little City in the World.”
For groups wanting to explore the city on foot, consider an art-walk tour through downtown and MidTown. Artists who debut their work at Burning Man festivals donated many of the statues that groups come across on a walking tour. There are also several interesting and colorful murals painted by local artists throughout the city.
More of an inside group? Then check out the 105,000-square-foot National Automobile Museum. This venue showcases more than 200 cars and motorcycles from different eras and movies. From a 1921 Rolls-Royce made completely out of solid copper to Paul Newman’s collection of racing cars, groups will be impressed with the museum’s wide variety of automotive artifacts.
Planners can also utilize the museum’s 157-seat theater, as well as its 16,000-square-foot Riverfront Pavilion alongside the Truckee River. The museum’s premier space is Gallery Four, which offers 12,000 square feet of event space for up to 600 people.
Additionally, the museum offers planners the opportunity to use some of their classic or fun cars to pick up group VIPs from the airport. Have a CEO who likes dinosaurs? Pick her up in the Jurassic Park Jeep.
Three properties, multiple options
Those cars can drop off guests at hotels in Reno, like the Silver Legacy Resort Casino, located downtown. The 1,645-room property offers 80,000 square feet of meeting space, including its Grand Exposition Hall, and several restaurants for groups of various sizes.
The Silver Legacy Resort Casino, though, is just one part of three connected properties owned by Caesars Entertainment. Eldorado Reno Hotel & Casino and Circus Circus Hotel & Casino are the other two properties.
The 800-room Eldorado Reno offers 11,000 square feet of meeting space, including its convention center, and the 580-seat Eldorado Showroom. The 1,573-room Circus Circus Reno features 24,000 square feet of meeting space, including its 17,191-square-foot convention center.
Group dining options across all three properties include The Brew Brothers, the first microbrewery to open in a U.S. casino. For a more personalized experience, the restaurant can rename a beer after a specific group or event.
Other group dining options throughout the properties are La Strada in Eldorado, Ramsay’s Kitchen (opened in 2024) in Silver Legacy, El Jefe’s Cantina in Circus Circus and Roxy Restaurant & Bar in Silver Legacy. Roxy is famous for its martinis and features seven different exterior and interior architectural designs to make you feel like you’re in Europe.
Most people think of Las Vegas when they think of Nevada. However, Reno holds its own. Whether watching the Reno Aces during a minor league baseball game, playing games at the carnival midway in Circus Circus Reno or taking a day trip to nearby Virginia City, planners are certain to roll a strike when they book their meetings and events in Reno.
