New Mexico State University football, basketball, baseball, softball, and volleyball teams play intercollegiate schedules in the Big West Conference, against schools from California, Nevada, and Utah. The Aggies play their home games on the NMSU campus, south of University Avenue on Locust Street. Football is played in the Aggie Memorial Stadium, and basketball happens in the Pan American Center arena. For information about the games, call the Pan Am Ticket Office (tel. 505/646-1420; or visit their website).

New Mexico's longest horse-racing season takes place 45 miles south of Las Cruces at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino (tel. 505/874-5200). Live races run Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday, from December to April. The casino, which features 700 slot machines, is open daily from 9:30am to midnight.