In the dynamic landscape of Las Vegas, the term “break” often signals a deeper problem. The city has seen icons and performers step back, sometimes permanently, from the spotlight. That includes celebrities taking a break for makeovers or dropping shows when big events like the NFR come around.
Recently, the “BattleBots – Destruct-A-Thon” show announced a temporary closure following its August 10 event, hinting at a possible end to its current format. The hiatus came as the Las Vegas Formula One Grand Prix scheduled events that inadvertently sidelined “BattleBots” for five weeks in 2023, mirroring a broader slowdown in ticket sales at various shows.
However, a revival is on the horizon. The creators are gearing up to introduce a revamped robot battle tournament, set to kick off September 6 at the BattleBots Arena located at Caesars Entertainment Studios. Despite the temporary nature of show business, BattleBots co-founder and CEO Trey Roski confirmed that tickets for the new format will go on sale soon.
“We’ve done 325 successful shows in Las Vegas, but it’s important to innovate,” Roski noted during a recent conversation, emphasizing the need for an evolution similar to that which icons like Madonna have reinvented over time.
On August 5, Roski sent an emotional message to the staff via an internal email, explaining the economic pressures resulting from low ticket sales and high production costs, which required additional investment to sustain the show.
This operational pause is reminiscent of setbacks faced during the COVID-19 era, with the show planning another brief hiatus in November when F1 events resume. The proximity of these two major attractions has led to considerations of legal recourse due to the lack of compensation from F1 organizers, as discussed by Roski and nearby business owners.
“BattleBots,” a show that first debuted in 2000 and has captivated audiences around the world, features robot battles in a specially designed arena. Despite the show's broad appeal and significant following, the decision to put it on hiatus was a difficult one but one that Roski felt was necessary, as he recently threw a celebratory pool party for the team, not as a farewell, but to celebrate past successes.
The show’s staff has undergone significant changes, with layoffs impacting many, though engineers continue to work on new robots for the upcoming format. Roski remains confident about the show’s return and future, especially with the continued support of Caesars Entertainment and discussions to extend their partnership.
Meanwhile, the show is planning a robust return with improved drama and more exciting battles in its next iteration, along with special events like “Fall FaceOff” that will be featured on its YouTube channel.
In the broader Las Vegas entertainment landscape, other events and shows like Reckless in Vegas and performances by renowned artists continue to draw crowds, maintaining the city's reputation as a world-class entertainment hub despite occasional setbacks.
