Alice Cooper shook up Allegiant Stadium at the Raiders vs. Chiefs game on October 4, blasting through three signature songs with his longtime band and Vegas guests.
Allegiant Stadium turned into a rock arena on October 4. Alice Cooper stormed the field at halftime during the Kansas City Chiefs’ tight 30-27 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. He didn’t come alone. Guitarist Nita Strauss, drummer Glen Sobel, and a crew of guest musicians joined him. The NFL break became a Vegas show. The Las Vegas Review-Journal confirmed this was Cooper’s first time playing Allegiant Stadium for a Raiders event. The Raiders organization made it official before kickoff.
Cooper kept it simple. He played “School’s Out,” “I’m Eighteen,” and “No More Mr. Nice Guy.” These are the crowd-pleasers. The stadium sang along. Cooper explained the choice: “We didn’t want to go with anything more difficult than that. Those are the three that I think everybody picks up on. Everybody sings on ‘Nice Guy’ and ‘School’s Out’.”
Before the game, Michelle Williams performed the national anthem, setting the stage for the evening’s entertainment lineup.
Inside the halftime performance
The show wasn’t just Cooper’s core band. Vocalists Lily Arce and Fletch Walcott, guitarist Steven Lee, and bassist Fernando Tort from David Perrico and the Raiders House Band joined in. Local Vegas talent mixed with Cooper’s rock theatrics. The Las Vegas Review-Journal called Cooper’s set a highlight of the night. The crowd’s reaction said it all.
Nita Strauss, who’s played with Cooper for years, posted a backstage update. She called it a “super fun (but short) Alice Cooper set at Allegiant Stadium Raiders v Chiefs halftime today!!! Heartbreaking end to the game but we had a blast. See you back in Vegas next month for Alice / Criss Angel Round 2!!”
The October 4 matchup was a dramatic contest, with the Chiefs defeating the Raiders 30-27. According to official NFL statistics, Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III rushed for 177 yards and scored two touchdowns, while quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 225 yards and two touchdowns. This loss was the Raiders’ first of the season, while the Chiefs improved their record to 4–0.
Cooper’s Las Vegas ties and upcoming shows
This halftime gig is just the latest chapter in Cooper’s Vegas story. He’s coming back in late November. “Welcome To Our Nightmare,” a rock concert-illusion show with Criss Angel, is set for Planet Hollywood’s theater. Vegas keeps drawing big names and wild productions. Official announcements put the "Welcome to Our Nightmare" run from November 27 to December 6, 2026, at Planet Hollywood.
Fans who want more can look for Cooper’s new autobiography. “Devil On My Shoulder” comes out in the U.S. on October 6 from Grand Central Publishing’s Da Capo imprint. The book promises a closer look at Cooper’s wild ride—over 50 million albums sold, a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, and a spot in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame since 2011.
Legacy and influence in rock and Las Vegas
Cooper’s reach goes way past the stage. His albums “Love It To Death,” “Killer,” “School’s Out,” “Billion Dollar Babies,” “Welcome To My Nightmare,” and “Trash” all went platinum. Rolling Stone put “Love It To Death” on its “500 Greatest Albums Of All Time” list. His songs have been covered and sampled by Etta James, THE SMASHING PUMPKINS, THE BEASTIE BOYS, and more. He’s worked with Vincent Price, AEROSMITH, GUNS N’ ROSES, and Jon Bon Jovi. Cooper also co-founded HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES with Joe Perry and Johnny Depp. That’s rock royalty.
Las Vegas keeps pulling in major rock acts. Big shows and residencies fill the calendar. BTS and Le Sserafim have made headlines at local festivals, as reported earlier.
What this means for Las Vegas entertainment
Alice Cooper’s halftime set wasn’t just a nostalgia trip. It showed Las Vegas is still the top spot for live music—even during big games. Rock legends keep finding a home here. The city’s mix of sports and entertainment keeps it in the national spotlight. With Cooper’s next Vegas show already booked and his autobiography about to drop, the Strip stays busy. Las Vegas is still the place where artists can mix spectacle, history, and hits. No other city does it quite like this.
