Further Recognitions Include a Record Ninth ACM “Casino of the Year – Arena” Award
UNCASVILLE, CT (September 2, 2026) – Mohegan Sun has once again been recognized among the nation’s top casino destinations in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, earning an impressive four second-place finishes across highly competitive categories. The resort was named runner-up for Best Casino Hotel, Best Casino Outside of Las Vegas, and Best Casino for Slots, which Mohegan Sun won during the inaugural year of the category in 2025. Additionally, The Farm Italy at Mohegan Sun earned a second-place ranking for Best Casino Restaurant. Mohegan Sun also received national recognition in the Best Players’ Club category for its loyalty rewards program, Momentum.
Nominees for all categories in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards are selected by a panel of subject matter experts including editors from USA TODAY, editors from 10Best.com, and contributors across Gannett properties, before being opened to public voting. Readers then cast their votes over a four-week period on 10Best.com, which attracts more than 5 million visitors per month.
“Being recognized by USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards is always an honor,” said Jeff Hamilton, President & GM of Mohegan Sun. “Earning so many high ranks is an outstanding achievement and a reflection of our team delivering such exceptional guest service. Whether visiting for a weekend getaway, world-class dining, entertainment, gaming or special celebrations, guests continue to choose Mohegan Sun as one of the best destinations in the country.”
Mohegan Sun is home to one of the most expansive casino floors in the US across both Casino of the Earth and Casino of the Sky. With nearly 4,000 slots, 300+ Table Games, an acclaimed poker room, various high-limit lounges and a massive Sportsbook home to a 140-foot-wide continuous video wall, the largest in Northeast, Mohegan Sun caters to every style of player, from casual guests to seasoned enthusiasts.
Beyond gaming, Mohegan Sun is home to a dining portfolio that has earned national acclaim. In addition to finishing in the top three for “Best Casino Restaurant” in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice, The Farm Italy at Mohegan Sun was also recently named one of OpenTable’s Top 100 Restaurants in the U.S. for its modern Italian cuisine, handcrafted cocktails and immersive atmosphere.
The 10,000-seat Mohegan Sun Arena was also recognized as “Casino of the Year – Arena“ by the Academy of Country Music for the 61st ACM Awards. Voted on by ACM members representing artists, musicians, producers, talent buyers, promoters and other music industry professionals, the honor marked the ninth time Mohegan Sun Arena has earned this top ACM Industry Award. As one of the nation’s premier entertainment venues, Mohegan Sun Arena hosts more than 100 concerts annually, welcoming some of country music’s biggest stars throughout its 25-year history, including Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton and many more. Recent ACM “Entertainer of the Year” Lainey Wilson will also take the stage on Saturday, October 10th as part of Mohegan Sun’s 30th Birthday Celebration. Additional headlining entertainment as part of this major milestone includes global superstars Alanis Morissette, Foo Fighters, John Mayer and DJ Cassidy’s Pass The Mic Live!
“Winning ACM ‘Casino of the Year – Arena’ for a ninth time really speaks to the passion our team brings to every event at Mohegan Sun Arena,” said Joe Soper, VP of Sports & Entertainment for Mohegan. “We host a diverse lineup of entertainment, regularly attracting sold-out crowds, and country music has certainly been at the forefront. We’re truly appreciative of the ACM, as well as the fans and artists who make recognition like this possible.”
Owned by Mohegan, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic Southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, two distinct convention centers, an expo center, a golf course, over 70 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on X and Instagram @mohegansun and view us on YouTube.
Country artist Adrien Nunez will take the Wolf Den stage for a free concert to benefit Mothers Against Drunk Driving
WHAT: MADD About Adrien Nunez – A Mothers Against Drunk Driving annual benefit returns to Mohegan Sun this October. Guests can enjoy a free live performance by rising country music artist Adrien Nunez in the Wolf Den, while supporting a vital cause through a special silent auction benefiting Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
WHEN/WHERE: Saturday, October 17th 8:00pm Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun
IN DETAIL: Guests are invited to enjoy a special evening at Mohegan Sun as Adrien Nunez takes the Wolf Den stage as part of the annual MADD benefit concert. The concert is free and open to guests 21 and older.
In addition to the live performance, guests can participate in a three-day silent auction taking place in The Shops at Mohegan Sun from Friday, October 16th through Sunday, October 18th, running daily from Noon to 10:00pm. All proceeds from the auction will benefit Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and donations will also be accepted at the auction table throughout the weekend.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization working to protect families from drunk driving and underage drinking through education, advocacy and victim support services.
Guests must be 21 years of age or older to enter the Wolf Den. Guests may line up no sooner than three hours prior to the show. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. One person may hold up to four spots in line, but seats will only be provided to those present at the time of seating. Limited seating is available.
“Mohegan Sun has enjoyed a long and productive partnership with MADD Connecticut. Their dedicated work continues to drive meaningful progress in public education, vehicle safety technology, victim advocacy, and the prevention of impaired driving” said Jeff Hamilton, President & General Manager of Mohegan Sun.
For more information on MADD Connecticut, visit madd.org/connecticut/ and for more information on MADD About Adrien Nunez, visit mohegansun.com.
MADD ABOUT ADRIEN NUNEZ
A college athlete turned mega-influencer, and now rising country star – Adrien Nunez has consistently found ways to connect with his fans. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, after his time as a basketball star at the University of Michigan, Adrien has turned back to his original passion of music.
After a move to LA, Nunez carved out a path as a successful influencer. Known for his signature red glasses and reaction videos, Adrien found a way to resonate with the masses by supporting some of the breakout stars in country music, including having a helping hand in the massive success of Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”.
Having been so supportive of other creatives, now Adrien’s taken on the challenge himself to wild success as he releases his own music. His first single “LOW ROAD” was a viral hit that has since garnered millions of streams and captivated new and old fans alike.
ABOUT MADD
The mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving is to stop drunk driving, to support the victims of this violent crime and to prevent underage drinking. MADD Connecticut is committed to clearly and powerfully advocating for victims of alcohol – related crashes. MADD delivers quality services to hundreds of families each year at no cost to them, as well as help victims/survivors through the multitude of emotions and criminal proceedings that take place through court accompaniment and by providing grief counseling and support groups. MADD’s goal is to eliminate drunk driving and educate Connecticut youth about underage drinking. MADD introduces and follows legislation concerning bills to strengthen drunk driving laws.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN
Owned by Mohegan, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic Southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, two distinct convention centers, an expo center, a golf course, over 70 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on X and Instagram @mohegansun and view us on YouTube.
Nut/Cracked, The Gang Group’s version of The Nutcracker, is part holiday tradition and part laugh-out-loud comedy, with unforgettable daning. It arrives at Mohegan Sun’s Cabaret Theatre (The Cab) for back-to-back dates beginning Friday, December 4th. With jazz, tap, ballet and a cheeky dose of humor, these family friendly shows are slated for 7:00pm, with tickets on-sale this Friday, August 28th via Ticketmaster.
Nut/Cracked is a genre blending celebration of the winter holidays, as The Bang Group & Choreographer David Parker liberate the famous ballet from its plot and tradition. The show seeks a new identity as a free-wheeling, genre-fluid vaudeville which breaks apart elements of the holiday season: surprise, anticipation, greed, community, generosity, and delight in a series of dances drawing inspiration from all corners of the dance canon—tap riffs and en pointe ballet by way of bubble wrap, disco, and Chinese take-out noodles, with modern and post-modern dance, disco, social forms and pure invention. Nothing is sacred as Nut/Cracked twists and melds various dance traditions into an ode to American eclecticism that honors the power of the human urge to dance while riding Tchaikovsky’s voluptuous waves of rhythm.
Praised by TheNew York Times as “immensely entertaining” and “intensely musical,” this production combines humor and artistry to leave audiences seeing The Nutcracker in a whole new light.
Tickets for both Nut/Cracked performances in The Cab go on sale Friday, August 28th via Ticketmaster. Tickets will also be available at the Mohegan Sun Box Office beginning Saturday, August 29th, subject to availability.
The 450-seat Cabaret Theatre, known also as “The Cab” is a beautiful venue in Mohegan Sun’s Casino of the Sky that returned in full force in 2025, hosting acts like Anthony Rodia, Roy Wood, Jr., The Bacon Brothers and more. Throughout its history, “The Cab” has showcased dynamic music, popular comedy performances and intimate special events. Opened in 2002, top performers and personalities who have had events inside The Cabaret Theatre include: Dionne Warwick, Al Jarreau, Tony Danza, Neil Sedaka, Joey McIntyre, Michael Bublé, Lou Rawls, Tony Bennett, Wanda Sykes, Paul Anka, Smothers Brothers, Tony Orlando, Derek Jeter, Aaron Lewis, Indigo Girls, Dave Attell, Chris Botti, Air Supply and Chelsea Handler.
Multi-Platinum Violinist, Dancer and Aerialist Returns with Her Acclaimed Holiday Spectacular on Thursday, December 3rd
UNCASVILLE, CT (August 24, 2026) – Multi-platinum, award-winning violinist Lindsey Stirling has announced her return to Mohegan Sun Arena on Thursday, December 3, 2026, as part of her acclaimed Snow Waltz Holiday Tour. Celebrating its ninth year, the holiday spectacular blends music, dance, aerial acrobatics and theatrical production into a magical seasonal experience for fans of all ages. The announcement follows the recent gold certification of Stirling’s chart-topping 2017 holiday album, Warmer in the Winter, featuring her beloved rendition of “Carol of the Bells.”
Tickets to see Lindsey Stirling at Mohegan Sun Arena go on sale Friday, August 28th at 10:00am via Ticketmaster. Tickets will also be available at the Mohegan Sun Box Office beginning Saturday, August 29th, subject to availability.
Citi is the official card of the Lindsey Stirling Snow Waltz Holiday Tour. Citi card members will have access to pre-sale tickets beginning Wednesday, August 26th at 10:00am local time until Friday, August 28th at 9:00am local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete pre-sale details visit citientertainment.com.
VIP tickets can be purchased at lindseystirlingvip.com, which includes exclusive experiences including front row seating, a meet & greet, exclusive Lindsey Stirling Collectible Blind Box Characters and an invitation to a pre-show experience. There, fans can check out a Christmas gallery featuring costumes and memorabilia curated by Lindsey, a special photo opp, and so much more.
“I put a little bit of spookiness into it,” she said about her unique holiday concert performances. “I’m a big fan of The Nightmare Before Christmas as well as Harry Potter, which I feel like marries a little bit of that magic and spooky.”
Lindsey has indeed become a holiday staple, a “must-see” yuletide concert stage performer since the release of her first Christmas album, the chart-topping Warmer in the Winter, and its Top 10 AC radio single “Carol of the Bells.” Her second Christmas album, Snow Waltz, also reached #1 on the U.S. Top Classical Albums and hit #2 on the Top Holiday Albums chart. Stirling’s annual Snow Waltz Tour, with over 1 million tickets sold across nine years, delivers a magical holiday experience with whimsical yet daring choreography, stunning visuals, and genre-defying arrangements of holiday classics and originals that captivate fans of all ages.
That is quintessential Stirling, an arresting artist who stylishly blends sonics with visuals and defies easy categorization. She mixes pop, rock, classical, hip-hop, and electronica, then tops it all off with meticulous attention to impactful, thematic album and video artwork.
Stirling’s auspicious introduction arrived in 2010 when she was a finalist on America’s Got Talent, however things really kick started once she uploaded her first video to YouTube. Her self-titled, now platinum-certified debut album in 2012 set the stage for six more lauded studio efforts, including 2014’s stunning Shatter Me, another gold-seller, and 2024’s Duality, an experimental opus that embraces Lindsey’s indie music spirit with extravagant soundscapes and guest performances by Royal & the Serpent and Walk Off the Earth. Duality also inspired a 40-dates tour in 2024, and a deluxe edition featuring exciting new tracks alongside fan favorites including Chrissy Costanza, Rachel Platten, and Shuba.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit mohegansun.com.
ABOUT LINDSEY STIRLING
Few artists embody the boundless creativity and gifts of the dazzling, multi-award-winning musician Lindsey Stirling. Known for her extraordinary talents as an electronic violinist, dancer and performer, Lindsey’s spectacular live show tours with stunning frequency and continually sells out iconic venues around the globe. Her groundbreaking vision has gained her millions of adoring fans worldwide, four Billboard chart-topping albums and two Billboard Music Awards, including Top Dance/Electronic Album for her third studio release, Brave Enough. Her gold-selling holiday album, Warmer in the Winter, catapulted to the #1 spot on Billboard, Amazon and iTunes Holiday Album charts upon release and lead single “Carol of the Bells” made history as the only instrumental song ever to reach the Top 10 at AC Radio. Lindsey’s song “Shatter Me” featuring Lzzy Hale (of Halestorm) recently garnered platinum status. A New York Times bestselling author (and creator of her own comic book), Lindsey felt compelled to push her boundaries even further for her seventh full-length effort, Duality, ultimately embracing a whole new level of freedom in her songwriting. For more information, visit lindseystirling.com.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN ARENA
Mohegan Sun Arena is one of the busiest sports & entertainment venues in the world and recently was named the “Best Casino Concert Venue” in the 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards. In 2021, the 10,000-seat Arena also received its first worldwide “#1 Indoor Arena” ranking for its size from both Pollstar and VenuesNow. The arena is also an eight-time winner of “Arena of the Year” by the Academy of Country Music and was recognized as “Best Casino/Resort Venue of the Year” at the 37th Annual Pollstar Awards in 2026, an award Mohegan Sun Arena also won in 2024. The award-winning venue also celebrates its 25th anniversary in November 2026 with two special performances by Metallica. For more information on concerts and other great events, visit mohegansun.com/entertainment or call 1.888.226.7711. Complimentary self-parking is always available.
Celebrating 20 Years of Enjoy the Ride Live on Thursday, November 12th
UNCASVILLE, CT (August 11, 2026) – GRAMMY® Award-winning duo Sugarland will bring The Ride or Die Tour to Mohegan Sun Arena on Thursday, November 12, 2026, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Enjoy the Ride, the landmark album that cemented Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush as one of music’s most beloved duos.
Tickets to see Sugarland at Mohegan Sun Arena go on sale Friday, August 14th at 10:00am via Ticketmaster. Tickets will also be available at the Mohegan Sun Box Office beginning Saturday, August 15th, subject to availability.
Kicking off October 1st in St. Augustine, FL, the tour will travel across the country before wrapping November 21st in Dallas, TX. The dates will deliver a dynamic, high-energy live experience featuring the band’s extensive catalog from the last 20+ years, from hit singles to fan favorites.
“Enjoy the Ride was such a turning point album,” said Nettles. “It literally catapulted us onto the ride of our lives with a carnival of hits and a life on The Road. We couldn’t let its anniversary pass without marking it as something special with our fans, live and on tour!”
“There is truly nothing more satisfying than the lights going up on the Sugarland stage and feeling our songs rumble out of the speakers,” mused Bush. “I’m excited just thinking about it and even more thrilled to be celebrating the anniversary of Enjoy The Ride.”
Since the band’s inception in 2002, Sugarland has sold nearly 10 million albums. Achieving an astounding seven No. 1 singles and nearly 2 billion streams to date, some of their most iconic songs include PLATINUM-certified “All I Want to Do” and “Stay,” 2X PLATINUM “Stuck Like Glue” as well as GOLD-certified “Baby Girl,” “It Happens,” “Settlin’,” “Something More” and “Want To.” Their critical and mainstream appeal have been magnified with industry accolades – five consecutive CMA Awards for Vocal Duo of the Year (2007-2011), five ACM Awards (including Song of the Year and Single of the Year) and GRAMMY® Awards for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Best Country Song for “Stay.”
In addition to the global superstardom they’ve reached with Sugarland, both Nettles and Bush have experienced overwhelming success with their solo work. Most recently, Nettles wrote the book, lyrics, and score for the new off-Broadway musical Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo, in which she starred as the title character. The show world premiered in Summer 2026 at the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) at the World Trade Center in New York, directed by Tony winner Mary Zimmerman.
As part of Sugarland, Bush helped shape hits including “Stay,” “Baby Girl,” “Stuck Like Glue,” and “Life in a Northern Town,” while also co-founding the acclaimed folk-rock duo Billy Pilgrim with Andrew Hyra and leading projects including Dark Water, Cabin Chill, and a successful solo career. As a producer, Bush has become one of Nashville’s most in-demand collaborators, earning multiple CMA and ACM Award nominations and frequently topping Billboard’s Country Producers chart. He has produced chart-topping projects for Megan Moroney — including her most recent Billboard 200 No. 1 album Cloud 9 — as well as work for Lanie Gardner, K. Michelle, and Runaway June. Through his work with Moroney, Bush has also produced recordings featuring Brooks & Dunn, Ed Sheeran, Kenny Chesney, Jamey Johnson, and Kacey Musgraves. In 2024, Billy Pilgrim marked its Grand Ole Opry debut.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit mohegansun.com.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN ARENA
Mohegan Sun Arena is one of the busiest sports & entertainment venues in the world and recently was named the “Best Casino Concert Venue” in the 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards. In 2021, the 10,000-seat Arena also received its first worldwide “#1 Indoor Arena” ranking for its size from both Pollstar and VenuesNow. The arena is also an eight-time winner of “Arena of the Year” by the Academy of Country Music and was recognized as “Best Casino/Resort Venue of the Year” at the 37th Annual Pollstar Awards in 2026, an award Mohegan Sun Arena also won in 2024. The award-winning venue also celebrates its 25th anniversary in November 2026 with two special performances by Metallica. For more information on concerts and other great events, visit mohegansun.com/entertainment or call 1.888.226.7711. Complimentary self-parking is always available.
Rising Singer, Songwriter and Viral Sensation Takes the Stage on Sunday, September 27th
One of music’s fastest-rising new artists, KELS, is set to bring her genre-blending sound and live show to Mohegan Sun’s Cabaret Theatre (The Cab) on Sunday, September 27th. The performance will showcase the breakout star whose viral success, powerful vocals and rapidly growing fan base have made her one of the most talked-about emerging artists of the year. The performance is slated for 8:00pm, with doors opening at 7:00pm.
Tickets to see KELS in The Cab go on sale Friday, August 7th via Ticketmaster. Tickets will also be available at the Mohegan Sun Box Office beginning Saturday, August 8th, subject to availability.
Originally from Pittsburgh and now based in Atlanta, KELS first captured industry attention by launching a self-managed 52-show U.S. tour without the support of a record label or management team. Her relentless work ethic and unique sound quickly attracted notice from some of music’s most respected names, earning co-signs from Big Boi and Timbaland and helping position her as one of the industry’s most promising new artists.
KELS experienced a breakout moment in late 2025 and early 2026 when her hit song “Gone” went viral across social media platforms. The momentum propelled her to more than one million followers across social media and generated more than 10 million streams in just six months, introducing her music to audiences around the world.
A proud Pittsburgh native, KELS returned home earlier this year to perform during the 2026 NFL Draft, further cementing her growing national profile. Just weeks later, she delivered the national anthem at Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals, another landmark moment in a year filled with career-defining milestones.
The June 2026 release of her debut EP, Dirty Blues Princess, showcased KELS’ ability to blend genres while delivering authentic storytelling and dynamic performances. The project has been widely praised for its originality and has helped establish KELS as one of the most exciting new voices in contemporary music.
With a growing catalog of fan-favorite songs, major performance opportunities and a rapidly expanding audience, KELS continues to build momentum as a live performer and recording artist. Her appearance in The Cab offers fans the opportunity to experience one of music’s most exciting rising stars in an intimate and energetic concert setting.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit mohegansun.com.
ABOUT THE CABARET THEATRE
The 450-seat Cabaret Theatre, known also as “The Cab” is a beautiful venue in Mohegan Sun’s Casino of the Sky that returned in full force in 2025, hosting acts like Anthony Rodia, Roy Wood, Jr., The Bacon Brothers and more. Throughout its history, “The Cab” has showcased dynamic music, popular comedy performances and intimate special events. Opened in 2002, top performers and personalities who have had events inside The Cabaret Theatre include: Dionne Warwick, Al Jarreau, Tony Danza, Neil Sedaka, Joey McIntyre, Michael Bublé, Lou Rawls, Tony Bennett, Wanda Sykes, Paul Anka, Smothers Brothers, Tony Orlando, Derek Jeter, Aaron Lewis, Indigo Girls, Dave Attell, Chris Botti, Air Supply and Chelsea Handler.
