The Aquarius Casino Resort Named Official Host Hotel of The 2026 Laughlin Desert Classic
The Aquarius Casino Resort Named Official Host Hotel of The 2026 Laughlin Desert Classic
Unlimited Off-Road Racing and Best In The Desert announced that Aquarius Casino Resort, located at 1900 S. Casino Drive, will serve as the Official Host Hotel of the 2026 Laughlin Desert Classic, taking place Thursday, Oct. 15 through Monday, Oct. 19. As one of the most historic races in American off-road racing, the Laughlin Desert Classic continues its resurgence as a cornerstone event of the American Off-Road Racing Championship.
Situated on the banks of the Colorado River, Aquarius Casino Resort will serve as race headquarters throughout the event, welcoming racers, teams, sponsors, media, industry partners and fans from across North America. As the Official Host Hotel, the resort will host racer registration, the official driver's meeting and key event activities while serving as a central gathering place for the off-road community during race week. The Laughlin Desert Classic Off-Road Festival and Technical Inspection also will take place in the parking lot adjacent to Aquarius Casino Resort, showcasing race vehicles, industry displays, vendor exhibits and live entertainment in the heart of the Laughlin Strip.
“The Laughlin Desert Classic has all the ingredients to become one of the biggest races in North America,” said Matt Martelli, CEO of Unlimited Off-Road Racing. “The spectating here is unmatched, the racing is spectacular, and having Aquarius Casino Resort as our Official Host Hotel gives racers and fans a true headquarters for race week. As we continue building the American Off-Road Racing Championship, partnerships like this are critical to delivering a world-class experience.”
How to Reserve Hotels at Aquarius:
Racers, teams, sponsors, media and fans are encouraged to book accommodations through the official Laughlin Desert Classic room block at Aquarius Casino Resort to receive event rates and ensure reservations are associated with the race. Reservations may be made by calling 800-662-5825 and referencing the code GRBESTD. Guests who have already booked independently are encouraged to contact the Aquarius reservations team to request reservations be moved into the official room block.
Aquarius Casino Resort is the largest hotel in Laughlin, Nevada, offering 1,906 hotel rooms and suites split between two 18-floor towers with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Colorado River and Laughlin Strip. The resort also features a 57,000-square-foot casino with more than 1,000 slot machines, a variety of favorite table games, a non-smoking race and sportsbook, a resort pool, tennis courts and a range of dining options, including River Rock Pizza & Pasta, The Cove Bar & Lounge, Duet Coffee & Wine, Café Aquarius and Rivers Edge. All hotel rooms include in-room coffee makers and refrigerators, and guests may enjoy complimentary self-parking.
The 2026 Laughlin Desert Classic will bring together top racers, industry-leading manufacturers and off-road enthusiasts for a celebration of the sport's past, present and future. As one of the marquee stops on the American Off-Road Racing Championship schedule, the event continues to reinforce Laughlin's place as a premier destination for off-road racing.
For event information, schedules and updates, visit:
BITD.com.
For more information about Aquarius Casino Resort, visit the website: AquariusCasinoResort.com.
About The Laughlin Desert Classic
The Laughlin Desert Classic stands among the most historic events in American off-road racing. Originally launched in 1975 by pioneering promoter Walt Lott, the race helped establish Laughlin, Nevada, as one of the sport's premier destinations. The event returned in 1984 under the leadership of off-road racing legend Sal Fish before being carried forward by the late Casey Folks, whose vision helped shape modern desert racing.
Over five decades, the rugged terrain surrounding Laughlin has hosted legendary battles featuring some of the greatest names in the sport, including Walker Evans, Ivan Stewart, and Rob MacCachren. Today, the Laughlin Desert Classic continues that tradition, bringing together professional and amateur racers from across North America to compete on one of off-road racing's most iconic stages.
The event now serves as a cornerstone of the American Off-Road Racing Championship, the unified effort between Unlimited Off-Road Racing and Best In The Desert to strengthen and grow the future of off-road competition. The Laughlin Desert Classic represents both a celebration of the sport's rich heritage and a bold vision for its future.
About Aquarius Casino Resort
Aquarius Casino Resort is the largest 24-hour gaming resort in Laughlin, providing 1,906 rooms and suites and a 57,000-square-foot casino with more than 1,000 state-of-the-art slot machines, the widest variety of favorite table games in town, and a non-smoking race and sportsbook. The Aquarius Casino Resort offers a variety of dining options, including: River Rock Pizza & Pasta, The Cove Bar & Lounge, Duet Coffee & Wine, Café Aquarius, Rivers Edge and more.
More information is available by calling 800-662-5825 or 702-298-5111, on the website at AquariusCasinoResort.com, and on social media at Facebook, X and Instagram.
About Golden Entertainment, Inc.
Golden Entertainment operates a diversified entertainment platform of gaming and hospitality assets. The Company operates seven casinos and 73 gaming taverns in Nevada, featuring approximately 5,500 slots, 100 table games and 6,000 hotel rooms.
For more information, visit GoldenEnt.com.
Media Contacts:
Wicked Creative
Taylor Goldberg
Laughlin@WickedCreative.com