UNLV Basketball Aims to Boost Home Attendance
Head coach Josh Pastner seeks to grow fan support at the Thomas & Mack Center this season.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Basketball
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UNLV basketball head coach Josh Pastner is looking to boost attendance at the Thomas & Mack Center as the team opens its second season under his leadership. The effort comes following a season where the Rebels averaged 5,374 fans per game.
Why it matters
The program is working to bridge a massive gap in home game support compared to the historic 1990-91 season, when the team drew an average of 18,658 fans. Engaging local supporters remains a primary objective for the team, which currently features a roster with only two returning players.
Last season, UNLV averaged 5,374 fans per home game at the Thomas & Mack Center, compared to the 18,658 average recorded during the 1990-91 season. The program currently returns only two players to the roster for the upcoming campaign.
The players
Josh Pastner
The head coach is entering his second season leading the UNLV men's basketball team.
Stacey Augmon
The former player returned to the university in 2025 as the director of community engagement.
The details
Valley Bank of Nevada hosted the 14th annual Coach's Luncheon at the Mendenhall Center on Wednesday, where fans and media met with players, the Rebel Girls, and staff. Coach Josh Pastner emphasized the need to build the program's profile as the team enters a transition year. The event included photo sessions and team-led educational history segments meant to connect supporters with the current roster.
Timeline
1990-91 season: The Rebels averaged 18,658 fans per home game.
2025: Stacey Augmon joined the program as director of community engagement.
October 14, 2026: The 14th annual UNLV Coach's Luncheon took place at the Mendenhall Center.
Beyond the Strip
The push to increase home game attendance follows a decades-long decline from the historic highs of the 1990-91 season. The current efforts mark a departure from previous years by prioritizing direct community engagement through roles like Stacey Augmon’s newly established position.
Fans interested in supporting the team can monitor the upcoming schedule at the Thomas & Mack Center to track the program's attendance trends. The team's outreach efforts, including fan-focused events, are designed to engage the local community throughout the season.
The takeaway
The program is banking on increased fan connection to turn around attendance figures at the Thomas & Mack Center. Supporters should keep an eye on ticket promotions and community events throughout the season as the team integrates a largely new roster.
Further reading
For more news on the Rebels, visit Basketball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KTNV.
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