Las Vegas is gearing up to host one of the biggest sports events in the world next year. Here’s all you need to know about the 2023 event.
“The City of Lights”, “the City that never sleeps”, “the City of Glitz and Glamour”, whatever you call it, Las Vegas is gearing up to host a massive sporting event next year. Here’s all you need to know about the F1 Grand Prix that will take place under the bright lights of Vegas.
Ready to up the ante in 2023 🤩#F1 @Vegas @WynnLasVegas @MGMResortsIntl @CaesarsEnt pic.twitter.com/rRbxJvPsgu
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 31, 2022
It was announced back in March that Formula 1 will be hitting the streets of Las Vegas next year for the first time since 1982. Returning after a 41-year hiatus, Las Vegas will be the third American Grand Prix in the F1 season calendar alongside Austin and Miami.
“This is an incredible moment for Formula 1 that demonstrates the huge appeal and growth of our sport with a third race in the US,” said F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
“Las Vegas is a destination known around the world for its excitement, hospitality, thrills, and of course, the famous Strip.There is no better place for Formula One to race than in the global entertainment capital of the world, and we cannot wait to be here next year.”
We surprised our drivers with some news earlier this year…
Do you think they're excited? 😂#F1 #LasVegasGP @Vegas pic.twitter.com/wkgI5FtP7a
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 31, 2022
The race is set to take place in November on a Saturday night – yes, you read that correctly! – with the circuit sweeping along the famous Las Vegas Strip.
Just like the Miami circuit, the Las Vegas Grand Prix will feature a street circuit that will allow drivers to race past some of Sin City’s famous trademarks such as the Venetian, Caesars Palace, the Bellagio, and its iconic fountains.
The Circuit
Apparently, the circuit has been designed with overtaking in mind, while also expecting it to be one of the fastest circuits on the calendar.
It will be 3.8-miles long from start to finish, with top speeds expected to hit around 212 mph. The proposed 50-lap race will have three main straights, two DRS zones, and 17 corners (three more corners were added to the original layout revealed in March). The track is also going to be 12-15m wide, providing plenty of space for drivers to race alongside each other in their fight for position.
Ticket Sign-up
The pre-registration portal went live on Monday, allowing fans to sign-up for an exclusive pre-sale event in October for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Those who are interested should visit f1lasvegasgp.com.
Upon sign-up, the fans will be asked to donate $7.77 to the Las Vegas Grand Prix Foundation to help improve the lives of Southern Nevada residents, such as providing one million free meals to the local Las Vegas community through the relaunch of Three Square’s hot food rescue program in 2023.
Organizers say that demand for tickets is expected to exceed the more than 100,000 official spectator capacity.
“A ticket to the Las Vegas Grand Prix will be the hottest ticket in global sport next year. Taking over the sports and entertainment capital of the world for almost an entire week is going to be a game changer for Formula 1 and has the potential to set the benchmark for all global sports and entertainment events in the future. Fans won’t want to miss it,” said Stefano Domenicali.
However, the ticket price is expected to be astronomical. Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal reported via Twitter that some packages could cost up to $100,000. That’s because MGM Resorts intends to purchase up to $25 million worth of tickets in order to create hotel+event packages for the race next year.
.@MGMResortsIntl is planning to buy $20-25 million worth of @F1LasVegas tickets from @F1 so that it can create hotel+event packages for next year's race, per CEO Bill Hornbuckle.
🔳 He said rooms may cost three times their usual rate and packages could retail for up to $100,000. pic.twitter.com/azmwRSUSWZ
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) August 16, 2022
Even though ticket prices have yet to be officially confirmed, it won’t be a surprise at all to see steep price points along the circuit. At this year’s Miami Grand Prix, ticket prices were extremely high, some of which were close to $30,000. Shocking? Not really. The cheapest grandstand ticket was around $640, making it the second most expensive seats on the F1 calendar after Monaco. It was also reported that some South Beach hotels cost up to $120,000 for full-weekend VIP ticket packages. These ticket prices definitely don’t help average fans who only want to watch their favorite drivers.
Me after paying $2,000 for a standing ticket #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/wGQqhV5bQs
— Matt (@mattamys) May 2, 2022
Although the race promises to be thrilling, you can bet that the first-ever Las Vegas Grand Prix will not be cheap at all. Get ready to splash some serious cash!
