Cisco Live
May 31, 2026 – June 4, 2026
Las Vegas Convention Center — 3150 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
28,000+ estimated attendees
Cisco's premier annual conference for customers and partners to gain knowledge about networking, cloud, and security technologies through hands-on sessions and keynotes.
Dates
May 31, 2026 – June 4, 2026
Venue
Las Vegas Convention Center
Address
3150 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Est. Attendance
28,000+
Type
convention
Guest List
Free Nightclub Entry
Your Cisco Live Resources
Guides & Info for Cisco Live Attendees
Everything you need for Cisco Live in Las Vegas — from badge pickup to after-hours nightlife.
Attendee Guide
Badge pickup, show hours, tips & logistics
🎶Nightlife & After Parties
Best clubs and bars during the show
🏨Wynn & Encore
Nightlife at Wynn for attendees
🏨The Cosmopolitan
Nightlife at Cosmo for attendees
🏨Caesars Palace
Nightlife at Caesars for attendees
🏨MGM Grand
Nightlife at MGM Grand for attendees
🏨Bellagio
Nightlife at Bellagio for attendees
🗺️All Hotels
Browse every Las Vegas hotel with nightlife access
From the Attendee Guide
Badge Pickup & Show Hours
Badge Pickup
Registration and badge pickup is located in the Mandalay Bay Convention Center Bayside registration area. Pre-registered attendees can use self-service kiosks with their confirmation QR code. Registration opens the Saturday before the conference. Pick up your badge over the weekend to skip the Monday morning rush.
Show Floor Hours
Quick Tips for First-Timers
- Cisco Live offers an overwhelming number of sessions. Use the Cisco Live app to build your schedule weeks before the conference. Popular sessions fill up fast — register for them early.
- The hands-on labs are one of the best parts of Cisco Live. If you want to get certified or test new technologies, block dedicated lab time in your schedule.
- Wear comfortable shoes and dress business casual. You will be walking between session rooms, the exhibit hall, and networking events all day.
- Bring a laptop. Many sessions involve live demos and labs where following along makes the learning stick.
Getting There
How to Get to Cisco Live
Parking
The LVCC has large surface lots and a parking garage surrounding the complex. Expect to pay $15–25 per day during major shows. Lots fill up fast — arrive before 9 AM or consider rideshare instead.
Rideshare (Uber / Lyft)
Uber and Lyft have a designated pickup and dropoff area on Convention Center Drive. Surge pricing is common during morning arrivals and evening departures — stagger your schedule to avoid the rush.
Public Transit / Monorail
The Las Vegas Monorail has a dedicated Convention Center station with direct service to Strip hotels from MGM Grand to the Sahara. A single ride is $5 and a full-day pass is $13. During peak convention hours the monorail is often faster than driving.
Walking from the Strip
The north end of the Las Vegas Strip is about a 15-minute walk from the LVCC. The monorail makes it easy to reach central and south Strip hotels in under 10 minutes.
Vegas After Hours
Nightlife During Cisco Live
When 28,000 convention attendees descend on Las Vegas for Cisco Live, the nightlife scene shifts into a higher gear. The Strip's biggest clubs extend their lineups, book marquee DJs, and host industry-specific after-parties to capture the surge. Expect longer peak hours, busier dance floors, and an electric atmosphere that feeds off the energy of the convention crowd. Whether your group is celebrating a successful day of meetings or just looking to unwind, you will find every style of nightlife within minutes of your hotel.
Convention weeks create a unique dynamic in Vegas. The typical weekend tourist crowd blends with professionals who are in town on expense accounts and looking to make the most of their evenings. Bottle service tables sell out faster than usual, especially at venues like XS, OMNIA, and Marquee. If VIP seating is on your radar, booking early is strongly recommended. For everyone else, the guest list is the smartest move — it guarantees free entry and lets you skip the general-admission line that grows significantly during major convention weeks.
The best part of going out during Cisco Live is the social element. You will run into colleagues, competitors, and new contacts on the dance floor. Some of the most productive conversations at any convention happen after midnight over cocktails, not on the show floor. Strip clubs like Sapphire and Crazy Horse III are also extremely popular with convention groups — free guest list from your hotel and no cover through our guest list make it an easy choice for groups of any size.
After the Show
Cisco Live After Dark — Nightlife Picks
Cisco Live is famous for its Customer Appreciation Event — past headliners have included major musical acts. Beyond the official events, Las Vegas offers everything the tech crowd could want. From the south Strip's nightclubs and restaurants near Mandalay Bay to the full range of venues up and down Las Vegas Blvd, your evenings are covered.
Hakkasan
Nightclub
At MGM Grand, one free tram stop from Mandalay Bay. Five floors of nightlife with world-class DJs. A Cisco Live week favorite.
OMNIA Nightclub
Nightclub
At Caesars Palace, a quick rideshare north. The massive production and terrace views make OMNIA an experience worth the trip.
Drai's Nightclub
Nightclub
Underground multi-room club at The Cromwell with live hip-hop performances. A completely different vibe from the EDM mega-clubs.
Crazy Horse III
Gentlemen's Club
Free entry through our guest list. Modern, upscale venue popular with tech conference groups.
Skip the Cover Charge
How to Get Free Entry During Cisco Live
Cover charges at Las Vegas nightclubs typically run $30 to $75 per person during convention weeks, and lines can stretch past an hour. Here is how to skip both.
- 1
Sign Up for the Guest List
Fill out the form at the bottom of this page with your name, phone number, group size, and hotel. It takes less than thirty seconds.
- 2
Get Your Confirmation
You will receive a text message confirming your spot on the guest list along with details about your free guest list entry from your hotel.
- 3
Show Up and Walk In
Your car arrives at the scheduled time. When you reach the venue, give the host your name — you bypass the general-admission line and enter with no cover charge. That is it. No catch, no minimum spend required.
Make the Most of Your Trip
Insider Tips for Cisco Live Attendees
Balance Your Schedule
Convention days are long and draining. If you plan to go out at night, map out which sessions and booths are must-sees so you can leave the show floor by late afternoon. A short break at your hotel between the convention and dinner makes a massive difference in your energy level for the evening ahead.
Pick the Right Nights
The first night of Cisco Live is usually the wildest — everyone has just arrived and the excitement is high. The final night tends to be more relaxed as attendees pack and prepare for early flights. For the best club lineups, Friday and Saturday nights always deliver regardless of the convention calendar.
Recovery Game Plan
Hydration is everything in the desert. Keep a water bottle on you during the convention and match every cocktail with a glass of water at night. Order room service breakfast or grab a quick bite at your hotel before heading to the venue — skipping breakfast after a late night is a recipe for a miserable afternoon on the show floor.
Book as a Group
Heading out with colleagues or clients? Larger groups get better treatment at every venue in Las Vegas. When you sign up for the guest list, include your full group count so we can arrange a ride that fits everyone and ensure your party walks in together. Groups of six or more can often request reserved seating at no extra cost.
Pool Parties During Cisco Live
Convention sessions typically wrap by 5 PM. That leaves the perfect window for a pool party before dinner. Las Vegas dayclubs operate March through October with free guest list entry — a popular choice for networking or blowing off steam after a full day of sessions and exhibits.
Gentlemen's Clubs
Strip Clubs During Cisco Live
Las Vegas strip clubs are a popular after-hours option during convention week. Most offer free guest list entry and complimentary transportation from your hotel — no cover, no minimums.
Sapphire Las Vegas
Crazy Horse 3
Treasures
Hustler Club
Spearmint Rhino
Peppermint Hippo
Kings of Hustler
Palomino Club
Little Darlings
Deja Vu Showgirls
Las Vegas Nightlife Resources
Convention Attendee Nightlife Guides
Cisco Live — FAQ
Where is Cisco Live 2026?
Cisco Live 2026 is held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119, at the south end of the Las Vegas Strip. The Mandalay Bay Convention Center is one of the largest convention spaces in the city, directly connected to Mandalay Bay and the Four Seasons hotels. A free tram connects Mandalay Bay to Luxor and Excalibur, and from Excalibur you can walk or connect to the monorail at MGM Grand. The south Strip location provides direct access to Hakkasan at MGM Grand — one of the world's top nightclubs — in a single tram stop.
What are the Cisco Live 2026 dates?
Cisco Live 2026 runs Sunday, June 7 through Thursday, June 11, 2026. Sunday is a walk-in labs and registration day. The main conference sessions run Monday through Thursday, with Thursday ending as a half day (most tracks wrap by 2:00 PM). The opening keynote is Monday morning. The Customer Appreciation Event — one of the week's highlights — is typically held Wednesday evening. Most attendees plan flights Thursday afternoon or Friday morning. Early June weather in Las Vegas is hot (95–105°F) — plan your outdoor movement between sessions accordingly.
Where do I pick up my Cisco Live badge?
Registration and badge pickup is located in the Mandalay Bay Convention Center Bayside registration area. Pre-registered attendees should use the self-service kiosks — scan the QR code from your confirmation email and print your badge in under two minutes. On-site registration is available but Monday morning lines before the keynote can be significant. Registration opens Saturday before the conference. Picking up your badge on Saturday or Sunday is strongly recommended so you can walk directly into the keynote Monday morning and get a good seat in your preferred viewing area.
What should I wear to Cisco Live?
Business casual is the standard dress code for Cisco Live. Jeans, polos, button-downs, and company swag are all appropriate for sessions, the World of Solutions expo, and networking events. Comfortable shoes are essential — you will be on your feet all day covering serious ground between the exhibit hall and session rooms across the massive Mandalay Bay space. Bring layers, as session rooms are heavily air-conditioned regardless of the outdoor temperature. June in Las Vegas is extremely hot (100°F+) outdoors, so minimize time in direct sun during midday and stay hydrated for any walks between connected hotel properties.
Are there certification exams at Cisco Live?
Yes. Cisco Live offers discounted Cisco certification exams on-site throughout the conference, administered through Pearson VUE testing centers. All certification levels are available — from entry-level CCNA to professional and expert certifications including CCNP and CCIE written and practical exams. Exam slots fill up quickly, so book your exam slot through the Cisco Live registration portal several weeks before the conference. Cisco also offers free certification lab practice and study workshops as part of the official program. If you are working toward any Cisco certification, Cisco Live is one of the most cost-effective and exam-accessible times to test, with discounts not typically available at other testing windows.
Is the Customer Appreciation Event included?
Yes. The Cisco Live Customer Appreciation Event is included with a full conference registration pass at no additional charge. The event is held on Wednesday evening and is widely considered one of the best conference parties in the tech industry. Past headliners have included major musical acts across rock, pop, and hip-hop. The event features a main stage concert, food and beverage throughout the venue, interactive activities, and the full social energy of 25,000 networking professionals. It is held at a venue within or adjacent to the Mandalay Bay conference space. Attendance is strongly recommended — this is the networking event of the week.
How do I get from Mandalay Bay to the Strip?
A free tram runs between Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and Excalibur, operating throughout the day and into late evening. From Excalibur, MGM Grand is a short walk north and connects to the Las Vegas Monorail, which serves Park MGM, Bally's/Paris, Flamingo/Caesars, The LINQ, Harrah's, and the Sahara. Rideshare (Uber and Lyft) is available at the main Mandalay Bay porte-cochère at all hours — plan 15–20 minutes to reach central Strip venues. Hakkasan at MGM Grand is one tram stop plus a short walk — the most accessible nightclub from Cisco Live. OMNIA at Caesars, Marquee at The Cosmopolitan, and Drai's at The Cromwell are all under a 15-minute rideshare.
What is there to do after Cisco Live sessions?
Las Vegas nightlife is unmatched and Cisco Live's south Strip location gives you strong access. Hakkasan at MGM Grand is one free tram stop away and is consistently one of the world's top-grossing clubs — five floors with multiple rooms and world-class DJ residencies. OMNIA at Caesars and Drai's at The Cromwell are each a 15-minute rideshare. For strip clubs, Sapphire Las Vegas offers free guest list entry through NoCoverVegas with complimentary limo transportation. Sign up for a free guest list at the form on this page — no cover charge, no minimums — and use it any night during Cisco Live week.
Las Vegas Nightlife — All Resources
Nightclubs
Pool Parties
Free Guest List for Cisco Live Attendees
Get On The List
Free nightclub entry + free guest list entry at your hotel during Cisco Live