MONTREAL — Anyone who watched the Montreal Grand Prix on TV on June 15 likely noticed the massive ‘Visit Las Vegas’ ad painted on the Gilles-Villeneuve Circuit, at the end of the hairpin turn.
Because after Austin, TX and Miami, FL, it was the world entertainment capital’s turn to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2023.
It’s a partnership that continued last year and this year, with the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix scheduled for Nov. 22.
While Las Vegas has hosted various auto races over the past 75 years – and even two Grand Prix-style races in the 1980s – the current official circuit is only two years old.
This time, all signs suggest it’s here to stay.
A RACE LIKE NO OTHER
As with everything in Las Vegas, its Grand Prix stands out on the F1 circuit.
First, the course runs through the heart of the city – similar to Monaco – and even uses the iconic Strip, passing in front of some of Vegas’ most famous landmarks like the Bellagio, Caesars Palace and the Sphere.
Plus, the race takes place at night, under the city’s bright lights and neon signs, creating a truly unique atmosphere.
The track features 17 turns over 6.2 km and is designed for high-speed driving (over 340 km/h at top speed), with long straights (including one that’s 1.9 km), which encourages overtaking.
The event also blends motorsport with Las Vegas’ distinctive entertainment vibe, featuring concerts, shows, and typically American-style staging. Its November date, during the city’s low season, also means the temperatures are more bearable.
A SHORT VISIT TO MONTREAL
With all that in their toolkit, a small group of ambassadors came to promote the Las Vegas Grand Prix in Montreal on June 14, in a suite near the paddocks.
In the presence of Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of F1, the delegation included Emily Prazer, President of the Las Vegas Grand Prix; Steve Hill, CEO of the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority; Brian Gullbrants, CEO of Wynn Resorts North America; Marcy Miles, CEO of the Venetian Resort Las Vegas; Sean McBurney, Regional President of Caesars Entertainment; and Steve Zanella, COO of MGM Resorts International.
All these major players are increasingly banking on the growing popularity of the Grand Prix – and F1 in general around the world – to attract more visitors to Vegas, not just during Grand Prix week, but “also during the other 51 weeks,” as they all proclaim in unison.
A BIG SUCCESS
After a more challenging first year, the most recent edition of the Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2024, held the week before Thanksgiving, was a big success. Everyone agrees the event helped turn one of the city’s slowest tourism periods into a lucrative one.
“There’s a great crossover between people who love entertainment and luxury and those who enjoy motorsport,” said Gullbrants.
As is the case elsewhere in the world, the Las Vegas Grand Prix brings in huge revenue: US$884 million in 2023, and $934 million in 2024 – almost a billion, comparable to the Super Bowl.
Like everything in Vegas, the Grand Prix is really big.
It’s also estimated that the 306,000 attendees (including 175,000 from out of town) spent an average of $4,100.
BRIGHT YEARS AHEAD
Earlier this month the Las Vegas Grand Prix received confirmation that it will be part of the F1 calendar through 2027.
Prazer was obviously delighted – she thinks big, as do all those working in Vegas. “We want to keep evolving the Grand Prix, and our goal is to secure a much longer-term commitment,” she said.
Starting June 25, with the release of F1 the Movie starring Brad Pitt and Javier Bardem, Las Vegas hopes for even more exposure, since some scenes were filmed on its track.
Finally, while tensions between Canada and the U.S. persist, Visit Las Vegas reassures that Canadians are always welcome. “We’ve always had a great relationship with Canadian tourists, and there’s no reason that should change,” said Gullbrants.
More information about travel in Las Vegas can be found at VisitLasVegas.com. This story originally appeared at ProfessionVoyages.com, part of The Travelweek Group.
