In January 2023, Universal announced a new "horror experience" calledUniversal Horror Unleashed, which serves as the anchor tenant of the Vegas Immersive District, a 35-acre expansion ofArea15.[4][5][6] Unlike Universal's seasonalHalloween Horror Nights events, it is a permanent and year-round fixture, occupying a 110,000-square-foot (2.5-acre) space.[7][8] On March 8, 2023,NBCUniversal's theme park division Universal Parks & Resorts changed their name toUniversal Destinations & Experiences.[9]Construction began in October 2023,[10] with the walls erected by December 18, 2023.[11][12] The attraction consists of four haunted houses based onThe Exorcist: Believer[a],The Texas Chain Saw Massacre[b], "Universal Monsters", and "Scarecrow: The Reaping".[13] On February 10, 2025, Area15 announced their Vegas Immersive District is 60% pre-leased, includingUniversal Horror Unleashed.[14] On February 19, 2025, Universal announced the attraction would open on August 14, 2025.[2] The attraction includes "Jack's Alley", a bar and entertainment center themed toJack the Clown.[15][16] A week before its opening it was announced thathaunted house composersMidnight Syndicate had created an original score for the attraction.[17]
On September 29, 2025, it was announced that Universal Horror Unleashed hosted a holiday experience called Krampus and Kin from November 15, 2025 to January 3, 2026.[18]
In June 2025, Universal announced the city ofChicago would be the secondUniversal Horror Unleashed location and the first Universal attraction in the Midwest.[3][19][20] Construction is slated to begin in early 2026 after design plans are finalized and permits secured. The attraction is tentatively scheduled to open in 2027.[3]
