President Joe Biden pitched for votes Sunday in Nevada, where the first-in-the-West primaries are underway with early and absentee voting. But the Democrat and his team are also using the visit to shore up support for the general election in November.

When the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers face off at Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, Feb. 11, they will compete for football's highest honor at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. It was unthinkable because, for many years, professional sports teams, including the NFL, refused to go anywhere near Las Vegas, thanks to its seedy reputation.

Nikki Haley is competing in just the primary, but only the caucuses award delegates for the Republican presidential nomination

Take Las Vegas and the NFL, add the world's hottest pop star, a love story that has social media spinning like a slot machine, two superb teams and you get what might be a landmark Super Bowl cementing Sin City's status as a global sports hub.

The perception of Las Vegas has shifted dramatically. As much as it remains known for gambling, nightlife and over-the-top entertainment, it’s now a major player in the sports world, featuring the NFL, NHL, WNBA, UFC and boxing.

In late 2002, a marketing firm trying to reinvent Las Vegas believed it had captured the allure of the city in a commercial worthy of the Super Bowl.

Voters see an uncompetitive primary. Team Biden sees an opportunity.

Las Vegas’ evolution is ever apparent as it gears up for Super Bowl 58. What was once considered a sports pariah is now hosting the biggest U.S. sporting event of the year, and the event comes less than three months after the city held a Grand Prix Formula One race. That’s not all — Las Vegas now boasts two new entertainment facilities, the Sphere and Allegiant Stadium, adding new offerings like A-list performers. The total number of visitors climbed to 40.8 million in 2023. Beyond all the fun and gambling, the region has also become popular with relocating businesses and homebuyers. However, there are some significant risks with being a desert city that could hinder Las Vegas’ growth as the planet warms. CNBC traveled to Vegas and met with locals and experts to learn more about Sin City’s explosive growth.

Las Vegas’ evolution is ever apparent as it gears up for Super Bowl 58. What was once considered a sports pariah is now hosting the biggest U.S. sporting event of the year, and the event comes less than three months after the city held a Grand Prix Formula One race. That’s not all — Las Vegas now boasts two new entertainment facilities, the Sphere and Allegiant Stadium, adding new offerings like A-list performers. The total number of visitors climbed to 40.8 million in 2023. Beyond all the fun and gambling, the region has also become popular with relocating businesses and homebuyers. However, there are some significant risks with being a desert city that could hinder Las Vegas’ growth as the planet warms. CNBC traveled to Vegas and met with locals and experts to learn more about Sin City’s explosive growth.