MGM Zone amps up Las Vegas Grand Prix with free fan hubs

Published on Oct 13, 2025, 1:27 pm CDT

5 min read

MGM Resorts International will turn the west side of the Strip into an open-access playground for Formula 1 when the Las Vegas Grand Prix runs November 20-22, 2025. The new MGM Zone spans Bellagio, ARIA, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, and New York-New York, layering complimentary fan zones from Mercedes, Williams Racing, and MoneyGram Haas with art installations, fashion pop-ups, and headline food and beverage moments. Organizers say appearances by drivers and team leaders, including Esteban Ocon, Ollie Bearman, Daniel Ricciardo, and Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu, will anchor the week's programming.

Key Points

Why it matters: Free fan hubs widen access during one of the city's most in-demand event weeks.
Travel impact: Crowds will concentrate around MGM properties on the track's west side.
What's next: Daily schedules and talent drop-ins will finalize as race week approaches.
Shoey Bar returns to Bellagio with limited-edition activations and live music.
Cavallino at Le Cirque brings Ferrari's Maranello cuisine to a rare U.S. stage.

Snapshot

Race week programming stretches before and after the November 22 Saturday night grand prix. ARIA will host a Mercedes-AMG Petronas activation with simulators, merch, and a show car. The Cosmopolitan adds a 24-hour MoneyGram Haas show car and memorabilia display, plus live art near The Chelsea Tower. New York-New York transforms its Brooklyn Bridge into the Atlassian Williams Racing Fan Zone with simulators, games, and appearances, free to explore daily. Fashion partners include a Ferrari boutique pop-up at Bellagio through December 31, Marchesa trunk shows, and Enchanté by Daniel Ricciardo at The Cosmopolitan. Food and beverage highlights range from Bellagio's Shoey Bar and champagne terrace to Cavallino's takeover of Le Cirque, with wine events at Michael Mina, PRIME Steakhouse, and more.

Background

The Las Vegas Grand Prix returns November 20-22 with practice Thursday, qualifying Friday, and the race Saturday evening at 8 p.m. local time. After two editions defined by spectacle and premium hospitality, organizers have leaned into fan accessibility with open-air activations along the Strip. MGM, which fronts key portions of the circuit, is extending that approach with free-to-enter zones while still curating premium dining and tasting events. The company's program complements the race's evolving ticket mix and aims to keep foot traffic, social buzz, and spend centered on its west-side resorts throughout the week. Expect rolling updates to appearances and event times as teams finalize travel and media commitments.

Latest Developments

Fan zones and appearances anchor the MGM Zone

ARIA's lobby becomes a Mercedes Race Experience in early November, featuring branded simulators, team merchandise, and photo ops with a show car. At The Cosmopolitan, fans can access a MoneyGram Haas F1 Team show car and memorabilia display around the clock from November 18-23, plus a meet-and-greet with Esteban Ocon, Ollie Bearman, and Ayao Komatsu. New York-New York's Brooklyn Bridge will host the Atlassian Williams Racing Fan Zone November 17-22 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with interactive games, simulators, and select team appearances, free to the public. MGM says additional drop-ins by fan favorites, including Daniel Ricciardo, will be announced closer to the event.

Dining, drinks, and fashion pop-ups on the Strip

Bellagio's Shoey Bar returns November 20-22 with Sparco-themed limited editions, a new "Helmet" punchbowl, celebrity bartenders, and live music, with early access windows for MGM Rewards Gold and higher. Cavallino, the Ferrari-linked restaurant from Massimo Bottura's team, will take over Le Cirque November 19-22 with prix fixe and à la carte menus that celebrate Emilia-Romagna. Wine programming includes a Schrader Cellars tasting at PRIME Steakhouse on November 21 and a Quintessa blending class November 22 at Michael Mina. A Moët & Chandon lakeside terrace and a Veuve Clicquot collaboration at Yellowtail round out Bellagio's beverage slate. On the fashion side, a Ferrari boutique pop-up opens daily at Bellagio from October 15 to December 31, while Marchesa and Enchanté by Daniel Ricciardo stage race-week trunk shows and drops at Bellagio and The Cosmopolitan.

Analysis

MGM's MGM Zone strategy blends inclusivity and curation, a smart response to the Grand Prix's premium reputation and intense demand. Free Mercedes, Williams, and Haas activations invite a broader audience to engage with the event without a ticket, seeding brand affinity and social content that spills across platforms. Simultaneously, high-touch dining, tastings, and couture pop-ups capture spend from travelers seeking rarefied experiences anchored to recognizable names, from Cavallino's Maranello heritage to limited Enchanté drops with Daniel Ricciardo. The setup also concentrates footfall where MGM controls the guest journey, from room keys to restaurants to nightlife, which can smooth crowd management on a corridor affected by closures and diversions. For travelers comparing options, MGM's mix competes directly with rival suites and parties, but the open-access fan zones are the differentiator, signaling that the Strip's spectacle can still feel welcoming during a headline global event. Expect day-by-day schedules, security notes, and ride-share guidance to follow as the grid firms up.

Final Thoughts

With the MGM Zone, MGM Resorts is positioning the west side of the Strip as the most activated stretch of race week. Free team zones, art, and fashion create a festival feel, while curated dining and tastings deliver premium depth for those who want more. If you are planning a visit, monitor daily lineups and RSVP windows as slots post. For sheer atmosphere, few vantage points will beat the MGM Zone at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.