Cisco Live 2026 — Complete Attendee Guide
Cisco Live is one of the largest enterprise technology conferences in the world, drawing over 25,000 IT professionals, network engineers, and technology leaders to Las Vegas for a week of keynotes, technical breakout sessions, hands-on labs, and the massive World of Solutions exhibit hall. Whether you are pursuing certifications, evaluating Cisco's latest platforms, or networking with peers, this guide covers everything you need to navigate the conference and enjoy Las Vegas.
Quick Info
In This Guide
Registration
Cisco Live Badge Pickup — Location & Hours
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.
Schedule
Cisco Live Show Floor Hours
The opening keynote is typically Monday morning. The World of Solutions exhibit hall has specific hours within the conference day. Thursday is a half day — most attendees depart by afternoon.
Transportation
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.
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.
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.
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.
Food & Drink
Where to Eat During Cisco Live
- In-N-Out Burger — directly across Paradise Rd, walkable in 3 minutes
- Peppermill Restaurant — classic 24-hour Vegas diner, 10-minute walk south on the Strip
- Resorts World — 10-minute walk north with dozens of restaurants including Carversteak and Genting Palace
- Wynn / Encore — 15-minute walk or one monorail stop with world-class dining
- Westgate Las Vegas — connected via skybridge from the LVCC North Hall
- Convention center food courts — available inside the West Hall and Central Hall during major shows
Insider Tips
Cisco Live 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.
- The DevNet Zone is a must-visit for developers and automation engineers. Even if you are not a coder, the demonstrations of programmability and APIs are eye-opening.
- Network beyond your usual circle. The Cisco Live Customer Appreciation Event and Cisco Social are excellent opportunities to meet peers from different industries.
- Charge everything the night before. Between sessions, labs, and networking, there is little downtime to charge devices. Bring a portable battery pack.
After the Show
Cisco Live After Dark — Nightlife & After Parties
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 / Rooftop
Rooftop setting at The Cromwell with live hip hop performances. A completely different vibe from the EDM mega-clubs.
Crazy Horse III
Gentlemen's Club
Free limo from your hotel and no cover through our guest list. Modern, upscale venue popular with tech conference groups.
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.
What are the Cisco Live 2026 dates?
Cisco Live 2026 runs Sunday, June 7 through Thursday, June 11, 2026.
Where do I pick up my Cisco Live badge?
Badge pickup is at the Mandalay Bay Bayside registration area. Self-service kiosks are available for pre-registered attendees. Registration opens Saturday before the conference.
What should I wear to Cisco Live?
Business casual is standard. The tech crowd tends toward polos, button-downs, and jeans. Comfortable shoes are a must for the long days.
Are there certification exams at Cisco Live?
Yes. Cisco Live offers discounted certification exams on-site. Schedule your exam in advance as slots fill up quickly.
Is the Customer Appreciation Event included?
Yes. The Cisco Live Customer Appreciation Event is included with your full conference registration. It is one of the highlights of the week.
How do I get from Mandalay Bay to the Strip?
A free tram connects Mandalay Bay to Luxor and Excalibur. From there you can walk or connect to the monorail at MGM Grand. Rideshare is also readily available.
What is there to do after Cisco Live sessions?
Las Vegas nightlife is steps away from Mandalay Bay. Sign up for a free guest list to skip cover charges at the Strip's best nightclubs and gentlemen's clubs.
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Free nightclub entry + complimentary limo from your hotel during Cisco Live