It is a Formula 1 race week again. The bright lights of Las Vegas are ready to shine and the teams are already in town. If you are headed to the race, here are a few new things you should be aware of this week.
The Formula 1 Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix is shaping up to be their most ambitious version yet. Now entering its third year on the Strip, the race weekend is expanding its entertainment footprint, introducing new hospitality concepts, unveiling themed grandstands, and hosting the first championship finale for F1 Academy on a major street circuit. With earlier session times, new fan areas, major culinary additions and festival-style music programming, the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix aims to deliver a fuller weekend experience for fans on and off the track.
This year’s race will begin two hours earlier than in previous editions. Lights out is scheduled for 8 p.m. Pacific time on Saturday night, with all practice, qualifying, and support series sessions moved up accordingly. The time shift is designed to ease overnight road closures across Las Vegas while improving viewing hours for fans on the East Coast. The updated schedule also enhances the nighttime atmosphere, placing more of the event’s programming in prime hours for both spectators at the circuit and viewers at home.
A significant addition to this year’s racing program is the F1 Academy championship finale. The all-female series will end its season on the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, marking its first-ever conclusion on such a prominent street track. Select ticket tiers will include paddock and garage access, giving fans an opportunity to get close to the teams and drivers as the title fight unfolds. Heineken GA+, the Heineken Silver Main Grandstands, the Skybox, the Turn 3 Club and the Hello Kitty Grandstand will all offer viewing of F1 Academy sessions and behind-the-scenes activity. The finale is expected to be one of the defining moments of the championship’s young history as the series continues to grow globally.
Hospitality offerings are expanding, beginning with the debut of Trackside Tavern at the Paddock Club rooftop — a new environment blending elevated dining with the relaxed feel of a sports lounge. The rooftop venue overlooks multiple corners of the circuit and incorporates multi-screen viewing, signature cocktails, chef-driven tasting stations and recreational games like shuffleboard and foosball. The atmosphere is meant to be more social and approachable than traditional premium hospitality while still showcasing panoramic views of the Strip Circuit.
One of the most unique additions this year is the Hello Kitty Grandstand experience. In collaboration with F1 Academy and Hello Kitty, the event will introduce themed seating, entertainment and interactive fan elements. The package includes three-day grandstand access, live appearances, meet-and-greets with Hello Kitty and F1 Academy drivers, a Hello Kitty Café pop-up and multiple photo installations in the East Harmon Zone. Fans can also shop a 36-piece Hello Kitty x F1 Academy collection at the F1 Las Vegas Hub at The Venetian Resort or online — marking one of Formula 1’s most playful collaborations to date.
The Heineken Grandstands will return as one of the event’s most energetic viewing locations. Positioned in the Koval Zone with views of Turn 4 and the long Koval Straight, the grandstands include all-inclusive beer service, assigned seating, daily live music, driver appearances and exclusive access to the F1 Academy paddock. The area continues to grow into a fan-favorite with its combination of racing visibility and festival-style entertainment.
Fan mobility across the venue will also increase. Several ticket categories will now include access to both the East Harmon Zone by Virgin Hotels Las Vegas and select activations in the Koval Zone by Heineken. This expanded footprint opens additional entertainment options, dining experiences and live programming for fans in hospitality areas such as the Paddock Club rooftop and suites, the Wynn Grid Club, Papi Steak at the F1 Garage, Gordon Ramsay at the F1 Garage, Skybox, Turn 3 Club, Heineken Silver Main Grandstands, the Hello Kitty Grandstand and the Heineken Grandstands.
The F1 Las Vegas Hub at The Venetian Resort will return with new partner collaborations when it opens November 8. The retail and interactive space will feature merchandise collections from the LEGO Group, BAPE, Malbon Golf, Hello Kitty x F1 Academy and the Vegas Golden Knights. Fans can browse limited-edition apparel, collectibles, BE@RBRICK pieces, golf-inspired designs and hockey-style crossover jerseys, while also enjoying interactive elements like the F1X Pit Wall and a Hello Kitty photo installation. Select items and experiences will include perks for American Express card members.
Food and beverage offerings across the circuit are expanding with menus inspired by global Grand Prix destinations and high-end Las Vegas cuisine. Gordon Ramsay will offer dishes such as beef Wellington and Miyazaki A5 fried rice in the ultra-luxury hospitality spaces, while Papi Steak will serve wagyu tartare with caviar. Fan zones will highlight international favorites including paella, tonkotsu ramen and birria tacos. In the Paddock Club, DO & CO will present lobster towers, grill bars and elevated race-day classics.
Live entertainment across the event will be anchored by two major music stages. The T-Mobile Zone at Sphere will host top artists including T-Pain, MGK and Zedd, along with SOFI TUKKER, Lauv, Cimafunk and Cassian. Fans in this area can expect concerts, interactive activations and premium viewing of several corners of the track beneath the illuminated Sphere.
The Heineken Silver Stage will feature performers such as Shaggy and Dillon Francis, alongside Jabbawockeez, Jazzy, BANDABBA and other acts to be announced. Fans will also see all 20 Formula 1 drivers appear on the stage throughout the weekend for interviews, Q&A sessions and autograph opportunities.
The business side of Formula 1 will also take center stage with the F1 Business Summit, held November 20 at Wynn Las Vegas. Industry leaders including Stefano Domenicali, Toto Wolff, Emily Prazer, Susie Wolff and Michael Rubin will participate in panels focused on global sports growth, entertainment economics, brand development and the cultural impact of Formula 1. A networking reception at the Paddock Club rooftop will conclude the event.