Venue and date shifts loom for Mayweather vs. Pacquiao 2, as MGM arenas replace the Sphere and August emerges as the likely window.
Plans for a rematch between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao are undergoing significant changes, as organizers consider shifting the venue away from The Sphere to a more traditional boxing setting tied to casino operations. According to a source familiar with the discussions speaking with BoxingScene's Lance Pugmire, the fight is now likely to be held at either T-Mobile Arena or MGM Grand Garden Arena, both of which are affiliated with MGM Resorts.
The potential venue change is tied largely to logistical and financial considerations. Unlike MGM-operated arenas, The Sphere is not connected to a casino, limiting opportunities to bundle high-end ticket packages with hospitality offerings for VIP gamblers—an important revenue stream for major fight events in Las Vegas. MGM venues, by contrast, routinely integrate major boxing matches into a broader ecosystem of entertainment, hosting fight-week festivities and catering to high-rolling clientele across their properties on the Strip.
“It made no sense to put it at The Sphere – it’s not connected to a casino,” said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to Pugmire, because of the evolving talks.
In addition to the venue shift, the date of the bout may also be adjusted. While September 19 had been floated as the original target, the same source indicated the fight could move to mid-August, with August 15 emerging as a संभावित alternative. Scheduling conflicts at T-Mobile Arena—namely a previously booked iHeartRadio event in September—make the August window more viable.
The rematch, which would follow one of the most lucrative fights in boxing history, is expected to be streamed on Netflix. Unlike exhibition bouts, this contest is being planned as an official professional fight, meaning the outcome would count toward each fighter’s record. Mayweather famously retired undefeated at 50-0, while Pacquiao holds a record of 62-8-3.
Fans are being cautioned against purchasing tickets tied to The Sphere, as the source emphasized that the venue is no longer under consideration.
The fighters’ first meeting in 2015 ended in a unanimous decision victory for Mayweather. Since then, both men have remained active in different capacities. Pacquiao, now 47, most recently fought Mario Barrios to a draw for the WBC welterweight title, while Mayweather, 49, continues to participate in exhibition bouts, with another scheduled for June.
With Mayweather Jr. facing IRS issues there is no doubt that this fight is going to happen it's just where and when hasn't been fully established. There are reports that Mayweather Jr. has already taken some cash advances for this fight to perhaps mitigate some of his IRS problems.
These advances have caused some friction within the Pacquiao camp and seen as a violation of the contract. However this doesn't seem to be a real threat to the match. That said, a Mayweather-Pacquiao bout would not be relevant without some kind of drama around it.
We have once again more of it with this venue and date shift. Here is more on Mayweather's tax problems: