Las Vegas Grand Prix week arrives, what to expect as F1 returns to the Strip

The fourth Las Vegas Grand Prix gets underway later this week, drawing tens of thousands of fans to a 3.8-mile circuit that runs along Las Vegas Boulevard, Koval Lane, Harmon Avenue and Sands Avenue. Tickets are nearly sold out for Thursday through Saturday, with most high-end hospitality packages gone and remaining seats in the main grandstand across from the pit building and at the Sphere grandstands and general admission area.

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority CEO Steve Hill said demand is tracking as the highest since the inaugural 2023 race. "I think Formula One as well as our resort properties and partners would tell you, it has been one with the most demand, (outside) of year one, which is always going to be the one with the most demand," Hill said. "We've seen ticket sales happen more quickly. We've seen room bookings happen more quickly. There's just people who understand what this event in Vegas is and want to be a part of it."

Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., called the race a great addition to the city with impact beyond race weekend. "I think they have a few hiccups along the way, but now it's in its fourth year, so not to use the pun, I think things are speeding along in a good way," Rosen said. "F1 has made real investments in the Las Vegas community, in our education, in our convention, tourist business, all of those things. They've been a very good partner and that makes a huge difference."

The three-day schedule includes three practice sessions Thursday and Friday, qualifying Friday and the Grand Prix at 8 p.m. Saturday. The all-female F1 Academy returns for its season finale as a support race. Gates open at 2:30 p.m. daily with sessions starting at 4:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Fan zones around the circuit will feature local entertainers, DJs and nightly concerts at the Sphere Zone stage and Heineken stage, capped by a post-race Backstreet Boys afterparty at Sphere.

Clark County Commission Chairman Michael Naft said hosting the race involves coordination among more than a dozen county and regional agencies. "While we are constantly emphasizing the economic impact of events like this in our community, the million and a half eyeballs around the world that will be on this event, the hundreds of thousands, 200,000 individuals expected to attend the race this year, we prioritize above all of that the public safety," Naft said.

Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal