Black Hat USA 2026 — Complete Attendee Guide
Black Hat USA is the world's leading information security event — the premier technical security conference on the planet. Held annually at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Black Hat USA marks the start of Hacker Summer Camp, the week-long convergence of cybersecurity professionals that also includes DEF CON and BSides Las Vegas. Over 20,000 security researchers, penetration testers, CISOs, government officials, and industry practitioners gather for up to 10 days of multi-day training courses followed by two days of cutting-edge briefings (conference talks) and a full Business Hall. Whether you are a first-year analyst attending your first briefings or a 20-year veteran taking a specialized four-day training, this guide covers everything you need to know about getting to Mandalay Bay, navigating the schedule, and making the most of Las Vegas after hours.
Quick Info
In This Guide
Registration
Black Hat USABadge Pickup — Location & Hours
Badge pickup is in the Mandalay Bay Convention Center registration area. The registration process differs based on your ticket type. Training attendees can pick up their badges starting the Saturday before trainings begin (July 25 for Black Hat USA 2026). Briefings-only attendees pick up badges starting Wednesday morning, August 5. Express kiosks with QR code scanning are available for pre-registered attendees — have your confirmation email ready on your phone. If you are doing both Trainings and Briefings, pick up your badge on Saturday to avoid the Wednesday morning rush. On-site registration is available but expect lines during the briefings opening.
Schedule
Black Hat USA Show Floor Hours
Trainings run Saturday through Tuesday. Briefings are Wednesday and Thursday. The Business Hall (exhibit floor) is open Wednesday and Thursday. Arsenal tool demos run alongside the briefings.
Transportation
How to Get to Black Hat USA
Parking
Use the Mandalay Bay parking garage. Self-parking is available on a first-come basis. During major shows, arrive early as the garage fills by mid-morning.
Public Transit / Monorail
A free tram connects Mandalay Bay to Luxor and Excalibur. From Excalibur you can walk to the MGM Grand monorail station for service up the Strip. The tram runs every 3–7 minutes.
Rideshare (Uber / Lyft)
Uber and Lyft have a designated area at the Mandalay Bay main entrance on Las Vegas Blvd.
Walking from the Strip
Mandalay Bay sits at the south end of the Strip. It is a 20–25 minute walk to central Strip hotels. The free tram to Luxor and Excalibur helps, and from there you can connect to the monorail.
Food & Drink
Where to Eat During Black Hat USA
- Mandalay Bay restaurants — Aureole, Border Grill, Rivea, Citizens Kitchen
- Delano Las Vegas — connected to Mandalay Bay with Della's Kitchen and Skyfall Lounge
- Luxor restaurants — 5-minute walk via the free tram
- Excalibur food court — budget-friendly, accessible via free tram
Insider Tips
Black Hat USA Tips for First-Timers
- Black Hat Trainings and Briefings are separate registrations. Trainings are multi-day hands-on courses; briefings are the main conference talks.
- The Business Hall has a lot of vendor booths and free swag. Budget time to walk through it at least once.
- August in Vegas is HOT — 100°F+ outside. Mandalay Bay is air-conditioned but the walk from parking or rideshare can be brutal. Stay hydrated.
- If you are also attending DEF CON (which starts right after Black Hat), book your hotel for the full week. DEF CON 2026 is at the LVCC.
- Security researchers take network security seriously at Black Hat. Use a VPN on your devices and be cautious about connecting to conference Wi-Fi.
- The parties during Hacker Summer Camp are legendary. Check Twitter/X and the unofficial Hacker Summer Camp guides for the latest party list.
- Reserve your hotel room well in advance. Mandalay Bay, Delano, and Four Seasons are on-site and convenient, but mid-Strip hotels can be a good balance between Black Hat logistics and DEF CON access at the LVCC.
- Bring business cards or a digital contact method. Black Hat is one of the highest-density professional networking events in the security industry. Vendor booths, training courses, and hallway conversations can all lead to career-defining introductions.
- The Black Hat Arsenal is a section of the Business Hall where security researchers demo open-source tools in real time. It runs alongside the Briefings and is often overlooked by first-timers — some of the most technically interesting presentations in infosec happen here.
- If you are attending both Black Hat and DEF CON, pack for the full week. Both conferences together run from August 1 through August 9 — book a single hotel stay and avoid the Sunday checkout-and-check-in shuffle.
After the Show
Black Hat USAAfter Dark — Nightlife & After Parties
Hacker Summer Camp nightlife is its own culture. Vendor parties, CTF after-parties, and hacker meetups run well into the night — check Twitter/X and the unofficial Hacker Summer Camp guide (hackercamp.guide) for the full party list each year. Beyond the infosec scene, Mandalay Bay is at the south end of the Strip, which means a short tram ride to Luxor and Excalibur or a 10-minute rideshare to the center of the Strip. August is peak Vegas nightclub season — pool parties at Encore Beach Club and Marquee Dayclub are a perfect afternoon escape between sessions, and the nightclubs come alive after midnight. Sapphire Las Vegas (the world's largest gentlemen's club) and Crazy Horse III are popular post-conference destinations with free guest list entry through NoCoverVegas.
Hakkasan
Nightclub
At MGM Grand, one free tram stop from Mandalay Bay. The massive multi-level club is perfect for a crew that wants a proper Vegas nightclub experience.
XS Nightclub
Nightclub
At Wynn Las Vegas. The outdoor pool area in August is incredible — swimming and dancing under the stars.
Encore Beach Club
Dayclub
August is peak pool party season at Wynn. The best way to decompress between Black Hat sessions is a daytime pool party with world-class DJs.
Marquee Dayclub
Dayclub
The Cosmopolitan’s outdoor pool venue is a Black Hat week staple. A full-production dayclub experience in the heart of the Strip.
Drai's Nightclub
Nightclub
Multi-room concept with live hip-hop performances every weekend. Different genres in each room.
Sapphire Las Vegas
Gentlemen's Club
Free entry on our guest list. A popular post-party destination during Hacker Summer Camp.
OMNIA Nightclub
Nightclub
At Caesars Palace. The multi-level mega-club features three rooms and the famous kinetic chandelier. A short rideshare from Mandalay Bay.
Zouk Nightclub
Nightclub
At Resorts World near the LVCC — popular with DEF CON attendees the week after Black Hat. Cutting-edge production that the technical crowd appreciates.
Crazy Horse III
Gentlemen's Club
Modern and upscale. Free guest list entry and complimentary transportation from Mandalay Bay.
Peppermint Hippo
Gentlemen's Club
Central Strip location with free entry through NoCoverVegas. Easy to combine with a nightclub stop during Hacker Summer Camp week.
Black Hat USA — FAQ
Where is Black Hat USA 2026?
Black Hat USA 2026 is at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119.
What are the Black Hat USA 2026 dates?
Trainings run Saturday, August 1 through Tuesday, August 4. Briefings and the Business Hall are Wednesday, August 5 and Thursday, August 6.
What is Hacker Summer Camp?
Hacker Summer Camp is the informal name for the week when Black Hat USA, DEF CON, and BSides Las Vegas all happen in Las Vegas. It is the largest gathering of cybersecurity professionals in the world.
How hot is Las Vegas in August?
Expect temperatures of 100–110°F (38–43°C). Stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and spend most of your time in air-conditioned venues. The heat is intense.
Should I use conference Wi-Fi at Black Hat?
Use caution. While Black Hat provides monitored networks, many security professionals prefer to use their own mobile hotspot or VPN. This is a conference full of hackers.
What is the difference between Black Hat Trainings and Briefings?
Trainings are multi-day, intensive, hands-on courses — typically two or four days — covering specific security skills and techniques. Briefings are the main conference talks: 40–50 minute presentations on cutting-edge security research. You register and pay for each separately. Trainings run Saturday through Tuesday; Briefings run Wednesday and Thursday. You can attend Briefings only, Trainings only, or both.
What should I bring to Black Hat USA 2026?
A burner laptop or a clean-build machine with a VPN is strongly recommended for attending training workshops. Bring a portable battery pack — your phone will drain fast from navigation and note-taking. A notebook (paper works too) is useful for training sessions. Business cards or a digital contact sharing method are essential for networking. Comfortable shoes and a light jacket for air-conditioned conference rooms round out the essentials.
How do I get from Mandalay Bay to DEF CON at the LVCC?
DEF CON 2026 is at the Las Vegas Convention Center, about 4 miles north of Mandalay Bay. Take the free Mandalay Bay tram to Excalibur, then catch the Las Vegas Monorail from MGM Grand north to the Convention Center station. Alternatively, rideshare runs $12–20 each way. The trip takes 20–30 minutes depending on traffic and monorail timing.
What hotels are best for Black Hat USA 2026?
Mandalay Bay, Delano Las Vegas, and Four Seasons Las Vegas are all connected to the convention center and are the most convenient options. For a shorter stay or budget option, staying at a mid-Strip hotel (Cosmopolitan, Caesars, MGM Grand) is a reasonable trade-off — a 15-minute rideshare to Mandalay Bay. If you are attending both Black Hat and DEF CON, consider a central Strip hotel with easy access to both the south end and the LVCC.
What are the best restaurants at Mandalay Bay during Black Hat?
Mandalay Bay has an excellent dining lineup. Border Grill is a popular sit-down option at the conference. Delano's Della's Kitchen is a relaxed cafe ideal for networking lunches. For dinner, Aureole and Rivea are upscale choices. The food court in the convention center is convenient but lines are long during the Briefings lunch break. A short tram ride to Luxor or Excalibur adds more casual dining options.
Is there parking at Mandalay Bay for Black Hat USA?
Mandalay Bay has a large parking garage. Self-parking is typically $15–20 per day during major events. The garage fills early during Briefings days — arrive by 8:00 AM if you are driving. Rideshare is often more convenient since the Mandalay Bay entrance on Las Vegas Blvd has a designated pickup and dropoff area. Surge pricing is common during the morning arrival window.
What is BSides Las Vegas and how does it relate to Black Hat?
BSides Las Vegas is a free, community-organized security conference that runs August 3–5 at the Tuscany Suites, approximately 2 miles from Mandalay Bay. It is the grassroots, peer-reviewed counterpart to Black Hat's more commercial format. Many attendees do all three Hacker Summer Camp events: Black Hat Trainings on the weekend, BSides mid-week, and DEF CON immediately after. Registration for BSides is free but limited.
How do I find vendor parties and after-parties during Black Hat?
Vendor-sponsored parties are a major perk of Black Hat Briefings. Most parties are invite-only but often open to badge holders — check the vendor booths in the Business Hall on Wednesday for event flyers and QR codes. Follow @BlackHatEvents and relevant security vendors on X (Twitter/X) for real-time party invitations. The unofficial guide at hackercamp.guide aggregates party listings each year.
What is the Wall of Sheep at Hacker Summer Camp?
The Wall of Sheep is a display at DEF CON (and now also at Black Hat via related events) that shows the usernames and partial passwords of people caught sending unencrypted credentials over the conference network. It is both an educational demonstration and a reminder to use VPNs and encrypted connections. Your corporate email on hotel Wi-Fi is not safe — use a VPN or personal hotspot at all times during Hacker Summer Camp.
Are there nightclub guest lists available during Black Hat week?
Yes. NoCoverVegas offers free guest list entry to Las Vegas nightclubs and gentlemen's clubs during Black Hat week, including Hakkasan at MGM Grand, XS at Wynn, Drai's Nightclub, and Sapphire Las Vegas. Sign up on our guest list form — it takes 60 seconds and eliminates the cover charge. Given that Mandalay Bay is at the south end of the Strip, Hakkasan (one free tram stop away at MGM Grand) is the most convenient large nightclub during Briefings week.
Related Pages
Explore More
Black Hat USA
Convention overview, dates, and details
Black Hat USA Nightlife
Best nightclubs and after-parties for attendees
Wynn & Encore
Nightlife and hotel guide for Black Hat USA attendees
The Cosmopolitan
Nightlife and hotel guide for Black Hat USA attendees
Caesars Palace
Nightlife and hotel guide for Black Hat USA attendees
All Hotels
Browse every Las Vegas hotel with nightlife access
Pool Parties & Dayclubs
Free guest list to every Vegas pool party and dayclub
After the Show
Top Las Vegas Nightclubs for Black Hat USA Attendees
XS Nightclub
Wynn Las Vegas
OMNIA Nightclub
Caesars Palace
Hakkasan
MGM Grand
Marquee Nightclub
The Cosmopolitan
TAO Nightclub
The Venetian
Zouk Nightclub
Resorts World
Drai's Nightclub
The Cromwell
LIV Nightclub
Fontainebleau
Gentlemen's Clubs
Las Vegas Strip Clubs During Black Hat USA
All options below offer free guest list entry and complimentary transportation from your hotel — no cover, no minimums.
Sapphire Las Vegas
Crazy Horse III
Treasures
Hustler Club
Spearmint Rhino
Peppermint Hippo
Kings of Hustler
Palomino Club
Little Darlings
Deja Vu Showgirls
Dayclubs & Pool Parties
Pool Parties During Black Hat USA
Convention sessions typically wrap by 5 PM — the perfect window for a pool party. Dayclubs operate March through October with free guest list entry.
See all pool parties →Las Vegas Nightlife — All Resources
Nightclubs
Pool Parties
Free Guest List for Black Hat USA Attendees
Get On The List
Free nightclub entry + free guest list entry at your hotel during Black Hat USA