I bought my ticket for the Sphere zone today. Locals can get them today. General public is pretty soon. Prices went down this year. But --I was told food is no longer "included" (water is). The reason I was told is people wanted higher quality and shorter lines. I thought the food the 2nd year was not as good as the first year when Wolfgang Puck ran it. They might now have different levels of food instead of one size fits all. It wasn't "bad" but the first year was better and more interesting. So the price dropped, but you need to pay for your own food. Its a trade off that they think will improve things. The LV GP "experience" will open officially in a few weeks. I'm going to Hong Kong on the day it opens but I'll try to report on it the following week. From what I've heard its pretty cool.
Completely agree with you that the food was better in 2023. Honestly, the whole event seemed better that first year… the concession stands nearest me had zero water, only the chocolate portion of the s’mores brownies, and the hot dogs were freezing about half an hour before lights out. Tequila was the only alcohol left, too. I have been in the Sphere zone (grandstand 102) both years, and renewed the same seats for 2025. Thought about changing to be near T1 and the pit complex, but none of the available seats seemed to have the view I was hoping for. Will have to keep checking SeatGeek. Looking forward to November!
They once hated the Vegas GP -- now they join them Las Vegas Grand Prix partners with casino that once sued race officials https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/motor-sports/formula-1/las-vegas-grand-prix-partners-with-casino-that-once-sued-race-officials-3370254 The Las Vegas Grand Prix has entered into a partnership agreement with a casino that was formerly suing the Formula One event. Ellis Island, located just next to Grand Prix Plaza on Koval Lane just north of Harmon Avenue, entered into a partnership with the grand prix to become an official venue of the race. Ellis Island hosted a spectator zone for the inaugural 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix, but then sued the race, arguing that the event impeded access to its property, since the circuit mainly runs on public roads, including Koval. Traffic in front of the property was impacted leading up to the race for set up, during the race when the street is closed with F1 cars are on the track and while tear down occurs, the suit claimed. The local casino filed suit in April 2024 seeking damages in excess of $50,000, with Ellis Island’s attorney, J. Randall Jones, saying last year that the property was out millions of dollars due to the race. The case was dismissed in September by judge Joanna Kishner, according to court records. “We are thrilled to be growing our partnership with Ellis Island,” Emily Prazer, president and CEO of Las Vegas Grand Prix, Inc, said in a statement. “Over the last two years, we have committed to working with the community and local businesses to ensure they are part of the race week excitement. Ellis Island is not only a great partner for us but also offers fans another exciting viewing locations along the circuit.” Race officials have been working to smooth their relationship with the community after the first-year disruptions. There were nine months of road impacts tied to the 2023 race, as crews needed to repave the 3.7-miles of public road where the race is run and a temporary bridge on Flamingo Road over Koval. The 2024 race saw less road issues tied to race infrastructure work and the Flamingo bridge was half the size of the 2023 race. Aside from lessened road work grand prix officials have been giving away tickets to various Southern Nevadans, with the most recent recipients this month being the owners of Tacotarian restaurants and a teacher at Greenspun Middle School in Henderson. Locals were also given the opportunity to purchase tickets to the 2025 race a day earlier than the general public. Ellis Island will be able to host the annual Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada Halloween Bash at Grand Prix Plaza, as part of the partnership. Details on Ellis Island’s spectator zone and hotel packages for race weekend Nov. 20-22 will be announced at a later date. “As we enter into this partnership with our neighbors on Koval Lane, we look forward to working with Las Vegas Grand Prix to extend our offerings at Ellis Island during race weekend and beyond,” Gary Ellis, owner of Ellis Island said.
This is a family run Casino, maybe the last big one in Las Vegas. Local favorite. I thought when the route was first planned in front of them it would be perfect for them. They didn't like that Koval was torn up for 8 months. But now they see the benefit, even year round. Koval is wider and better now after the F1 construction. Its all about the $$$$.
LVCVA aims to help Strip workers during Las Vegas Grand Prix week https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/motor-sports/formula-1/lvcva-board-approves-items-in-preparation-of-las-vegas-grand-prix-3383330 The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority board of directors on Tuesday approved a sponsorship and a government agreement to prepare for the third running of the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix in November. Board members unanimously approved a $1.5 million sponsorship of the Neon City Festival, a downtown Las Vegas affiliated event with the Nov. 21-23 race. Board members also unanimously approved an agreement with the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada to help provide use of the Las Vegas Monorail for transportation for Strip workers inconvenienced by traffic that occurs in the days leading up to race week. The agreement, which cost the LVCVA $55,000, will enable Strip employees enrolled in the RTC Club Ride program the ability to ride the monorail in addition to city buses that divert from normal routes when Las Vegas Boulevard becomes part of the race course. The Neon City Festival will be at the Fremont Street Experience and is free and designed to drive incremental race traffic downtown. The inaugural festival last year brought 53 musical groups, including 19 local bands, to five stages at Fremont Street Experience. Twenty local restaurants and food vendors supported the event and 40 artisans displayed wares for attendees. In addition, the event produced 4.9 billion impressions over several social media channels, the LVCVA said. The proposed interlocal agreement with the RTC sets the parameters and guidelines for an electronic integration between the RTC and the Monorail’s electronic ticketing systems. The integration will provide electronic access to qualified employees to access the Monorail using their RTC bus passes during periods when the bus route has detours caused by Grand Prix set-up, execution and tear-down.
The contract was for only 3 with an option for 9 total. Last week they confirmed number 4 for next year. Every year they are making adjustments to make it better.
With all due respect Mr Mayor....they can put a lipstic on the pig, eyelashes on it or even put a Tatoo on it...but I am sorry to say it will remain a Pig.
I've been to the first 2. Already bought tickets for the 3rd. I can tell you I've talked to a lot of people who came to them and really enjoyed themselves. And the racing is quite good because the long straight. Vegas I think has more passing than any other course in the year. One of the best things is people can just walk from the hotels to the track, similar to Singapore. And because Vegas is open all night, you can go out and have fun after the race. The bars never close. I'm not sure where the pig part comes from. What exactly is wrong with it?
Prior to the first race, it was noted that the track looked like a pig! However, I do agree, the racing has been surprisingly good. LEC's pass on the final lap in 2023 was epic!! I also think a lot of people were disappointed in the 2023 high prices. I knew people that were hyped to go, but the prices erased all hope. Image Unavailable, Please Login
We own Wolfgang Puck catering... and we could not come to terms with F1.... nor would they work with us on the liquor sales, so we are out... but still talking. F1, has a real cost issue, so not sure how this will actually continue unless someone comes in a subsidizes it.... we are certainly not paying to be there.
The catering in the first year was excellent from Wolfgang. The 2nd year was someone else and it was not nearly as good. Acceptable, but not as good. I think the "all food included model" does not work. Too many people just keep going back. The lines were too long and they tried to address it in the 2nd year with a better layout. IMO, having people pay for their food as they go will reduce lines and reduce the amount of food given out. Hopefully this will improve the overall quality back and increase the variety of available food. By reducing the price of the ticket it more than makes up for the overall cost. I'm paying $600 less for the same seat as last year. No way I'm eating $600 in food over 3 days. The liquor thing is a different deal altogether. Not sure what they are doing there next time. Like any major event, its a work in progress. You get 3 days a year to see the plan, then change it a year later.
If the quality of the support (food, varieties of selections) keeps degrading with each passing year, it indicated an event that is not trending up, but rather down. Financial stories support this as a problem with Las Vegas. It will be a real trick to keep Vegas on the map for 2026 if 2025 sees another drop in attendance and earnings. F1 fans have little to no interest in dropping money at the tables or in the slots. That is why the first Vegas GP in the 1980s was also a flop.
The folks running the Vegas F1 are good people, but they have negotiated themselves into a hard corner. The Sell is the global appeal, but as a food provider that does nothing for our business. The model that they have in their minds, and reality are very, very different. some would say non existent. We've talked with Ruth and her team but they just cant make the numbers work...and we are talking tiny margins... with far too much risk on us. In that respect that is typical F1. Liberty has been more willing to spend up front, but I think the business reality is biting hard.
Really interesting. For sure, something is up because they changed it every year for the first 3 years. If it worked for everyone, why would you change it? So clearly its not working. I really hate to think how much money it costs to do this race. It must be the most expensive than any other in F1. And, Liberty in this particular race are the promoters so it comes back on them.
Maybe, but Liberty doesn't pay a sanction fee. That's why it it's a scary thing for F1; how many of the other races are money losers?
I think reality is that F1 has crested the bell curve. So now Liberty's investments will slow down as they try to gather the ROI... I'm not sure how that is going to work. Along with all the trade stuff going on, politically there is a lag time before it really bites into F1.... I'd say mid next year we will see a lot of venues struggle with fans, and pricing and earnings. TV viewing figures are stagnant across the world, and not growing as much in the far east as in the last 3 years - that is where the money is. USA figures have gone up slightly, but are also settling down. from what I know it takes about $23M to stage an F1 race - logistics, set up, and shipping. give or take depending on the track. street tracks may take more, established tracks a bit less... the logistics are completed 4-6 months in advance. F1 has 4 sets of strategically placed "Race Sets" so that they can move these efficiently around the world.... hosting fees have to cover this set up cost, and any local logistical needs - traffic, police security etc... along with a profit margin = about 25 % ish... higher in the ME, Lower in the EU. TV revenue is 100% to FOM/ Liberty, as is all on track sales of swag. F&B and some local marketing is shared with the promoter... but its 70/30 in F1's favor. Promoter pays all labor and fringe charges for staffing. in the USA the promoter has to get the liquer license ... which in Las Vegas' case they could not get, so they came to us...
I think F1 needs to engage with real fans and stop catering to elites and celebrities. Let real fans wave the checkered flag, let real fans on the grid, etc. It’s become such an elitist sport, they are pricing fans out. jmo
That ship has sailed about 25 years ago. F1 is a curious mix of social strata. It used to be far more European in that each social group stayed in its own place. Americans owning it has opened it up far more than its ever been. However you are correct in the pricing to attend a race. We went to Monza last year, with Garden Club passes... and 1 hour each day in the paddock. I'd never do that again... the access in and out of the track was horrible, it was just so many people. Its just not worth it to me any more to see in person. even being in the paddock is not like it used to be... God I'm getting old.
Here is my idea for Liberty... and they could make money from it. They should install a moving walk way through the pits and paddock, and charge access to fans. You have to stay on the walk way... but you get to see the paddock / pits in person. I think this works best in the pits... just surround it with bullet proof lexan to protect the fans .... have it running all weekend .... amazing views,
