Back in December, I got an opportunity to attend the Formula 1 race on The Strip in Las Vegas. It was one of the wildest things I had ever experienced. It wasn’t just a race. It was a weekend of parties, events, concerts, and an energy the likes of which I had never felt. Vegas had always been a city moving faster than the rest. Maybe it helps that it is in the desert, where everything around it is in stark contrast. Slow. baren, and dark. The city felt like it was moving faster; it was brighter, it held a hope I hadn’t felt since I was 21 on my first visit years ago. You see, Vegas has been dying. The newer generations weren’t gambling. But the city has been pivoting, becoming an event-based destination. The Raiders. The Athletics. And, now, for another decade, The Las Vegas Grand Prix. Formula One reached an agreement with the city to extend its contract through 2037.
Las Vegas is unlike anywhere else in the world, and its energy, hospitality, and scale have played a major role in shaping what this race has become. This long-term extension allows us to continue delivering a world-class experience for our fans. – Emily Prazer, President and CEO of Las Vegas Grand Prix, Inc.
It’s here until 2037
$3.2 billion helps. That is how much money the three consecutive races that were part of the initial three-year deal struck in 2022 brought in to the city. While the Uber drivers I spoke with were grumpy about them ripping up the streets and installing grandstands every year, it is hard to argue with that kind of money and an economic boom the city hasn’t seen in a long time…