Expect traffic and crowds on the Strip for fight night

In case you missed it, there’s a big boxing match tonight on the Strip.

That means getting around there might be tougher than usual.

No valley road closures are scheduled ahead of Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather’s so-called megafight. But police and fight-night hosts expect traffic delays and large crowds before and after the event.

On the roads, Las Vegas police will detour drivers east and west of Las Vegas Boulevard, Metro spokesman Larry Hadfield said. Police particularly will try to divert vehicles from the MGM Grand, host site of the fight.

“Plan in advance,” Hadfield said, “because decisions on where you’re going will not be made while you’re sitting there in traffic.”

If you’re not going to the fight, Hadfield said, it’s probably best to stay away.

For those with a ticket, public parking will be available at MGM Grand and some of its neighboring properties, MGM spokeswoman Mary Hynes said. Parking at MGM Grand will be on a first-come, first-serve basis and free to the public.

The garage is not expected to fill up, Hynes said.

New York-New York, across the street, will charge $20 per vehicle for public parking, according to a release sent Friday. Monte Carlo will be open to both guests and qualifying members of MGM’s M Life program.

Professional-grade cameras and video recording devices are banned from the MGM Garden Arena on fight night, according to a release from the venue. So are backpacks, large bags, purses and selfie sticks.

People without a ticket to the fight or a pass to watch on MGM’s closed-circuit, pay-per-view are encouraged to watch somewhere other than the MGM Grand, Hynes said.

The public will not be barred from the resort, Hynes said, but security officers will be on hand to prevent loitering. Some areas of the hotel and the arena could be closed if they get too crowded, she said.

Closed-circuit tickets at the MGM and hotel rooms were still available as of Friday afternoon. For $375, viewers can watch the fight at the MGM Grand Ballroom and, for another $500, book a room for tonight.

Mandalay Bay’s Moorea Beach Club also was offering closed-circuit tickets for the same price as of Friday afternoon.

Getting out of town, at least via McCarran International Airport, also might be more hectic than usual. A spokeswoman advised arriving two hours ahead of departure time Sunday and to expect long lines. Extra staff will be working.

Contact Chris Kudialis at ckudialis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283. Find him on Twitter: @kudialisrj.