Of Formula 1’s 23 race calendar this year, none have garnered the level of excitement of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. So, for the 170,000 fans expected to attend, what will the experience be like? Where are the best places to watch? And crucially, with tickets rarer than a royal flush at Caesars Palace, where can you buy tickets and for how much?
Ten years after a return to the States at the hugely popular Austin circuit, F1 added a second Grand Prix, racing for the first time in Miami. But, before the lights went out for the first Miami GP, F1 upped the ante once more. In April 2022, Formula 1 announced at a live event in Las Vegas that it was going back to Sin City.
It’s a match made in heaven. Take the entertainment capital of the world and combine it with the greatest show on earth, and you’ve got the Las Vegas GP. From November 16th to 18th, 2023, Formula 1 rolls into town for what is arguably the most anticipated new Grand Prix in modern times.
Of course, this isn’t the first time a Formula 1 race has been staged in Las Vegas. In 1981 and 1982, F1 raced in an uninspired circuit hastily created in the car park of legendary Vegas casino Caesars Palace.
The Grand Prix was a flash in the pan – a cash grab to fill the city’s coffers and an ill-conceived event. The Grand Prix was loathed by F1 fans and drivers, and the Caesars Palace circuit has become a byword for dull and characterless racing circuits.
Formula 1’s much-hyped return to Vegas looks set to be a very different kind of event. Held on a high-speed track built on and around the Las Vegas Strip, cars will race past some of the city’s most iconic landmarks at up to 340km/h.
Being a Saturday night race only adds to the sense of occasion. Backlit by a neon cityscape, when sparks fly this November, it promises to be a dazzling visual spectacle – especially for the fans lucky enough to be there.
Las Vegas Grand Prix F1 Tickets
Such was the expected demand for Las Vegas GP tickets that organisers sought to stagger the ticket release. There was an initial release for a priority group on November 3rd, prior to a general release on November 5th.
In an innovative scheme, fans had the chance to support worthy causes with a donation to the Las Vegas Grand Prix Foundation and, in exchange, receive early access to the first round of ticket sales. Customers were also limited to buying no more than eight tickets.
Despite these measures, all allotted tickets were sold out within minutes. When the general release was made available days later, again, all tickets were gone in moments.
Now, F1 tickets for the Grand Prix in Las Vegas are hard to come by, though more tickets are promised for late winter and early spring. Get on the list on the official Las Vegas GP website to be first to hear about new ticket releases.
You should still be able to find resale tickets on StubHub, though. They are the largest ticket reseller platform and, with their FanProtect Guarantee, can be considered safe. It means your funds are held in escrow until after the event, so if you can’t get in, they’ll refund your money. Tickets listed there may be more than face value, though given the demand, they are sure to be snapped up.
Alternatively, it’s possible to buy race tickets as part of a package with a Las Vegas hotel. Below are some of the best ticket+hotel F1 packages on offer.
Now, F1 tickets for the Grand Prix in Las Vegas are hard to come by, though more tickets are promised for late winter and early spring. Get on the list on the official Las Vegas GP website to be first to hear about new ticket releases.
You should still be able to find resale tickets on StubHub, though. They are the largest ticket reseller platform and, with their FanProtect Guarantee, can be considered safe.
It means your funds are held in escrow until after the event, so if you can’t get in, they’ll refund your money.
Tickets listed there may be more than face value, though given the demand, they are sure to be snapped up.
Alternatively, it’s possible to buy race tickets as part of a package with a Las Vegas hotel. I’ve listed some of the best ticket+hotel F1 packages on offer below.
The bad news for ticket holders is that the Las Vegas circuit is divided into zones, and unlike at a conventional F1 track, fans in Las Vegas will only be admitted to their zone and not any other areas.
If, for instance, you have seats in the East Harmon zone, you won’t be able to go to the general admission area of the MSG zone if you fancy a change of scenery.
On the plus side, fans also have a couple of perks not usually included with F1 tickets. We all know how easy it is to burn through a pile of cash on refreshments at a Grand Prix. Well, luckily for Las Vegas ticket holders, all food and non-alcoholic drinks are included in the ticket price
While it’s not always a good idea to bring infants to a Formula 1 race, anyone with young children will be pleased to hear children 24 months and under do not need a ticket (providing they don’t require a seat). Unfortunately, though, any children over that age will need a full-priced adult ticket as there are no children’s tickets.
Parties, Events and Hotel+Ticket Packages for the Las Vegas GP
Illustrious brands synonymous with Las Vegas, like MGM Casinos, Caesars and The Venetian, own most of the resort hotels on and around the Strip.
Each has exclusive packages for the Grand Prix, like F1-themed parties and room and ticket combos. Some include 3-day F1 grandstand passes when guests book a minimum 3-night stay in one of their participating properties.
VISTA Race Weekend Party at The Cromwell
The Cromwell’s rooftop VISTA terrace and Drai’s Beachclub & Nightclub are hosts to this exclusive event in association with the McLaren Formula 1 team. Unlike the other ones listed here, this package doesn’t include any F1 tickets for a grandstand. However, the multi-level terrace provides sought-after views of the Las Vegas Strip. Over this three-day extravaganza, guests can also enjoy:
- Screens to enjoy the F1 action while soaking up the F1 party atmosphere.
- Grazing menus, canapés and free-flowing champagne.
- Guest appearances from F1 personalities.
- Live music and DJ sets.
Visit Motorsport Tickets to see the full details and book tickets.
MGM Resorts
MGM Resorts have 2 packages which include race tickets. Their Bellagio Grandstand package includes a reservation in their private grandstand beside the famous Bellagio Fountains on the Strip. Alternatively, you can choose the PG1 Grandstand with views of the start / finish straight in the East Harmon Zone.
Bellagio Grandstand
- Zone: MGM Zone
- Price: $2,827 avg. per night
- Closest resorts: Bellagio, ARIA, Park MGM
PG1 Grandstand
- Zone: East Harmon Zone
- Price: $2,827 avg. per night
- Closest resorts: MGM Grand, ARIA, Park MGM
Caesars
Caesar’s packages include a room for 3 nights in one of their nine participating hotels. F1 tickets included are for seats in the PG2 Grandstand or one of two hospitality options.
PG2 Grandstand
- Zone: East Harmon Zone
- Price: $2,600 avg. per night
Skyboxes
- Zone: East Harmon Zone
- Price: $8,000 avg. per night
Paddock Club
- Zone: Paddock Zone
- Price: $11,590 avg. per night
The Venetian
The Venetian packages include 3 nights in either of their properties; The Venetian or The Palazzo. Both come with grandstand seats in the MSG Sphere Zone.
- Zone: MSG Sphere Zone
- Price: starting from $2,952.33 in The Venetian or $3,252.33 at The Palazzo.
How much are Las Vegas’ Most Extravagant F1 Packages?
‘What about us billionaires?’ I hear you cry. Well, if you own a private space company, front a Mexican drug cartel or spent 2010 mining Bitcoin, you’ll be relieved to hear that Las Vegas caters to the ultra-rich too.
In fact, Las Vegas has some of the most expensive hospitality packages I’ve ever seen for a Grand Prix. The eye-watering prices make Monaco’s VIP offerings look like a bargain.
So for F1 fans who find the above offers a bit ordinary, look no further than some of the exclusive packages from Resort World Las Vegas and Wynn Las Vegas.
For a mere $888,000, you could enjoy Resort World’s Lucky 888 Experience (I see what they did there). This package includes first-class flights, a luxury suite at Crockfords’ Palace with your own private butler and some casino chips on the house. At the track, you’ll have access to the Paddock Club and grandstand seats. They’re also kind enough to throw in perks like private transfers from the airport and VIP theatre tickets.
Still not quite doing it? Well, if you’ve got a spare $1M lying around, the Million Dollar All-Access Experience from Wynn might be for you. And to be fair, the package does feature some incredible perks and unprecedented access at the track.
As well as the everyday luxuries you’ve now come to expect, the Wynns’ package grants pitlane and garage access. You’ll even have the chance to bump into Sky F1’s Martin Brundle and countless celebs on a pre-race grid walk. If that’s not enough, you’ll also be able to get familiar with the track as you’re driven around on some hot laps with a Formula 1 driver.
Where to Watch – Grandstands at the Las Vegas Grand Prix
We can’t know for sure what the grandstands in Vegas have to offer until the neon lights go on and the starting lights go out on November 18th. But based on the track layout and position of seats, we can make a pretty good guess at how the views will stack up.
As well as general admission, there are numerous official grandstands at the circuit spread over three zones; MSG Sphere, East Harmon and West Harmon.
East Harmon Zone Grandstands
The most sought-after grandstands in Las Vegas are those of the East Harmon Zone. The area comprises the start /finish line and the first four corners.
Grandstand PG1 offers fans the best grandstand seats in the house for views of the grid. It’s likely to be where the top 3 are interviewed after qualifying on Friday. On Saturday, it’s the ideal spot to watch teams and drivers as they ready their cars and themselves for the race. After lights out, it’s always thrilling to see 20 F1 cars pile into the first corner at a Grand Prix, and no doubt Las Vegas’ tight turn one will be no exception.
Grandstands PG2, PG3, PG4, and PG5 are a collection of grandstands in the East Harmon Zone with views of turns 3 and 4. The grid won’t be visible from here, but there promises to be a behind-the-scenes view of the pit area, ensuring fans here have a sense of being at the centre of the action.
MSG Sphere Zone Grandstands
The MSG Sphere zone hosts the most numerous grandstands and the general admission area. Sure to be an instant icon among the city’s many legendary landmarks, the sphere-shaped music and entertainment arena will dominate this area. It will make for a memorable backdrop – if they finish building it in time.
The track here comprises several slow corners from turn 5 to turn 9. The low-speed nature should give plenty of time to take it all in and get the best photos to remember the event.
So far, there are plans for 5 grandstands in this zone. The SG3, SG4, SG5, SG6 and SG8 grandstands are priced at $2000+.
General Admission
At $500 a ticket, general admission is the cheapest way to see the Las Vegas Grand Prix, but it does mean standing room only. However, even with Vegas prices, the cost isn’t any more than GA access at other Grand Prix in the States. And like grandstands, it includes all food and non-alcoholic drinks, so you could almost say it’s better value than the likes of COTA and the Miami Autodrome.
The track views inevitably won’t stack up against those at COTA, but few do. What’s more, general admission at Las Vegas is limited to a small portion of the circuit. So it won’t be possible to walk around the track here like you can at most other tracks.
Instead, fans with general admission tickets will be limited to the MSG Sphere zone. From turn 5 to turn 9, it’s a small area, but with many corners, it should give a chance to view the cars from several angles and under varying track conditions.
Turn 5 is a tight 90-degree right-hander after a straight. It’s a recipe that often results in passing attempts in the braking zone. If you’re lucky enough to have a view of turn five, you could be at one of the best parts of the track for overtaking.
About Me
I’m Danny, an incurable Formula 1 fan for over 30 years and founder of The F1 Spectator. My aim is to inform and inspire, arming you with helpful tips and advice for your next F1 trip.
