Backstreet Boys are back, again! The world’s best-selling boyband kicked off their Sphere residency in July and their loyal BSB Army, fans of all ages and celebs (Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Usher, Post Malone, Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song have all attended, to name just a few) have been flocking to Las Vegas to see the mindblowing show. We checked out the concert twice while in Las Vegas and here’s the down-low on getting the most out of your time at the Into the Millennium show and Las Vegas if you’re catching the show before their residency wraps up August 24, 2025. —Karen Kwan
Soak up the BSB Sphere experience
There are almost too many incredible Backstreet Boys moments in the show to name–from the uplifting rendition of “Drowning” to the full-out dance party for “Get Down.” We won’t divulge all of the show’s incredible moments so that you can still enjoy some surprises and be swept up into the excitement (just be sure to pay attention after the show ends–AJ has been coming back out on stage for a final wave goodbye!), but as a fan from day one, my advice is to try to be in the moment; I did my best to put my phone down more often so I could really soak up the night. Yes, grab a few selfies and photos and videos of the show, but also sing and dance your heart out and take in this shared experience with the 20,000 fans all dressed in white around you in this spectacular immersive venue (did you know the Sphere, which cost $2.3 billion to build, features an exterior with 1.2 million programmable LED lights, while inside there are`167,000 concealed high-tech speakers delivering crystal clear, consistent sound to every seat in the venue). If you’re a Backstreet Boys fan and can make it to Vegas, do it.
How to choose a seat at Sphere for Into the Millennium
Tickets to the Into the Millennium show are not cheap–they’re sold out so you’ll only be able to snag some now on resale. With Sphere’s 160,000 square-foot wrap-around screen enveloping you, there are few seats that are bad–although you may want to avoid seats in level 100s from about 20 rows and further back as the overhang of the level above you will block your view of the screen. Having sat at Level 300 and standing in the pit for Into the Millennium, I can tell you it’s two very different experiences. Being in a seat will give you the full Sphere experience with the opportunity to truly take in the stunning graphics on the screen and seat haptics. On the other hand, as a diehard fan, you may prefer being up as close as possible to AJ, Kevin, Nick, Brian and Howie, and so you may be happier being in the pit, however know that you will have less opportunity to take in the overall graphics and production–just remember to look up and around while on the floor. Note: as someone who can be prone to motion sickness, I was fine with the vantage point from both my seat and on the floor, but did find it more disorienting and sensed a higher potential for motion sickness when on the floor.
Stay comfortable and hydrated
With a seat on the floor, fans are lining up in the Las Vegas heat at the East Gate (which is the entrance to the General Admission floor) starting in the early afternoon so that they can grab a spot as close to the stage as possible. Sphere opens about 6:20 p.m. to allow fans inside. How to stay comfortable when you’ve got hours in the sun and then on the floor waiting for the show, which starts at about 8:40?
- Bring water with you: Sphere allows sealed water bottles or empty, clear plastic water bottles (which you can fill inside at a water fountain) as a more affordable option than buying water in the venue (although you may want to buy water–or a pop or cocktail–and pay an additional $3.99 for the souvenir Backstreet Boys cup).
- Pack your mini personal fan: If you can stash it inside your bag (which should be approximately 6 inches x 6 inches x 2 inches), you’ll be glad to have it on hand to keep you cool outside in the sunshine.
- Consider a collapsible stool: Fans have brought compact, collapsible plastic stools so they can give their feet a rest while in line and waiting on the floor. As long as your compact, collapsible stool isn’t metal, they have been permitted into the venue.
- Bring a fully charged smartphone: From accessing your mobile ticket to requesting a rideshare afterwards (besides using the camera for photos during the concert), you’ll want to conserve your battery power. If you do find you’re low on battery for your phone, though, Sphere does offer charging stations and lockers for rent. Although battery packs and charging cords have been permitted into Sphere, the policy may have changed for specific dates of the BSB residency–check with Sphere in advance.
Navigating Las Vegas
Where to stay: Las Vegas can be overwhelming if it’s your first visit–from choosing where to stay to getting around. Lucikly, Sin City is unexpectedly easy to get around: rideshare is typically relatively inexpensive. And there are a few public transit options: the Las Vegas Monorail, the seven-stop train that runs from MGM Grand to Sahara Las Vegas ($6 for one ride) and the Tram, which features three trams between certain hotels and attractions (free), and the Deuce, a double-decker bus that runs along the Strip and downtown ($8 for a 24-hour pass). So you can truly choose almost any hotel within your budget and your desired vibe to stay and get around easily both to Sphere and to explore Vegas. This visit, we stayed at the north end of the Strip at Conrad Las Vegas at Resorts World and easily got around with Uber and taking the Deuce. And, of course, walking is always an option–you can also easily walk the Strip if the heat isn’t too oppressive and sightsee while you’re at it–from the Fountains of Bellagio (the display is every 15- to 30- minutes) to the Paris, Paris sights including its Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe.
Where to eat: If you’ve spent all your money on your Backstreet Boys tickets, you may need to skip feasting at the high-end restaurants. The good news is that there are plenty of delicious inexpensive options including Tacos El Gordo (just be prepared for long lines late at night on the weekends at this Tijuana taco joint) and Siegel’s Bagelmania (where you can also pick up Pinkbox Doughnuts–they’ve got both Labubu doughnuts and Dubai Chocolate ones). And if you’re keen to try as many spots as possible during a short visit, check out a tour with Lip Smacking Foodie Tours–we got to try four delicious spots–including one of Gordon Ramsay’s fast-casual spots–that we wouldn’t have had time to dine at individually during our three-day stay. If, though, you’re a foodie looking to splurge, you can’t go wrong with dining at Carbone (the spicy rigatoni vodka is a carb-lover’s dream) and KYU at the Fontainebleau, which serves up its famous Asian-inspired, wood-fired menu, including its decadent beef short rib.
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