Black Hat USA 2026 — Where to Stay in Las Vegas

Hotel guide for 20,000+ cybersecurity professionals at Mandalay Bay. Same venue as Cisco Live — same walkability rules. Plus: how to stay for DEF CON too.

📅 August 1–6, 2026 📍 Mandalay Bay Convention Center 👥 20,000+ attendees

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Pre-filled with July 31 check-in → August 7 check-out. Arrive the night before Trainings, leave day after Briefings.

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Quick Facts

Venue: Mandalay Bay Convention Center
Address: 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, NV 89119
Trainings: August 1–4, 2026
Briefings: August 5–6, 2026
Recommended Stay: Jul 31 – Aug 7
Airport: Harry Reid Intl (LAS) — 2 miles
Avg August High: ~104°F (40°C)
Free Tram: Mandalay Bay ↔ Luxor ↔ Excalibur
🔥 August heat warning: Las Vegas averages 104°F in August. Mandalay Bay is at the south end of the Strip. Stay connected or budget $15+ per Uber ride. The free tram to Luxor/Excalibur is your best friend for affordable options.
🎩 Staying for DEF CON? DEF CON 34 runs August 6–9 at the Las Vegas Convention Center (mid-Strip). If you're doing both, book July 31 – August 10. You'll need to relocate mid-week or rideshare between Mandalay Bay and the LVCC (~$15–20 each way). Some attendees book Mandalay Bay for Black Hat then switch to a mid-Strip hotel for DEF CON.
🚃 Free tram: Connects Mandalay Bay → Luxor → Excalibur. Runs until ~10:30pm. If you stay at Luxor or Excalibur you save money and still have a zero-sweat commute to Briefings.

Hotels by Walkability Tier

✅ Tier 1 — On-Site / Connected

Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino

The convention center is inside the hotel. Walk from your room to Trainings without going outside. The obvious choice if budget isn't a constraint. Books fast for Black Hat.

⭐ Best for: zero commute, the full Mandalay experience
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W Las Vegas (formerly Delano)

All-suite tower connected directly to Mandalay Bay via indoor walkway. Rebranded from Delano to W Las Vegas in Dec 2024. Same prime location, connected to the convention center.

⭐ Best for: suite travelers, quieter than the main tower
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Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas

Floors 35–39 of the Mandalay Bay tower. No casino, no smoke, connected via the same building. Premium price but the cleanest, quietest option on the south Strip.

🏆 Best for: smoke-free, luxury, connected convenience
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🚃 Tier 2 — Free Tram (5–10 min, no Uber)

Luxor Hotel & Casino

One tram stop from Mandalay Bay. Budget-friendly, 4,000+ rooms so availability is better. A solid choice for attendees watching spend during a 6-day conference.

💰 Best for: budget, late bookers, extended stays
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Excalibur Hotel & Casino

Two tram stops from Mandalay Bay. Cheapest of the three tram-connected options. Good if Luxor is sold out. From Excalibur you can also walk to MGM Grand for DEF CON shuttle access.

💰 Best for: lowest price, tram + DEF CON flexibility
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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Black Hat Trainings and Briefings?

Trainings run August 1–4 — 2 or 4-day intensive technical courses, sold separately and often expensive. Briefings are August 5–6 — the main conference with keynotes, research talks, Arsenal tool demos, and the Business Hall. Most attendees come for Briefings. Some do both.

Can I stay for both Black Hat and DEF CON?

Yes and many people do. DEF CON runs August 6–9 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The LVCC is mid-Strip — about 3 miles from Mandalay Bay. If you want one hotel for both, Excalibur or MGM Grand are reasonable midpoints, though neither is ideal for both venues simultaneously. The smarter play is Mandalay Bay for Black Hat then a short Uber to DEF CON daily.

How early should I book for Black Hat?

Black Hat's own hotel block at Mandalay Bay sells out months in advance. Check blackhat.com for official block rates when registration opens. If you miss the block, Expedia prices in August Las Vegas are still manageable — book at least 3–4 months out.

Ready to Book?

All links go directly to that hotel's Expedia page with July 31–August 7 pre-filled. Book early — Mandalay Bay sells out fast, and August is peak Vegas heat season so mid-Strip alternatives fill up too.

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