2026 Las Vegas Grand Prix: Race Time, Watch Parties and Road Closures
By Gwen Lion, Las Vegas REALTOR® | November 5, 2026
The Sphere overlooks the Las Vegas Strip Circuit during the 2024 Grand Prix. Photo by Nascar9919 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.
If you’re heading to the Strip on Saturday, November 21, I have one question for you. Are you going to watch Formula 1, or did you just make dinner reservations? Either way, I’d look up how you’re getting there before you leave the house.
I’ve lived in Las Vegas for 20 years and raised my family here. I love that we can put on a race like this. I also know what it’s like when you’re trying to get across town and the street you take every day is suddenly part of a racetrack.
The 2026 Formula 1 Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix runs November 19–21. The main race starts Saturday, November 21, at 8 p.m. Pacific time. You can watch without a grandstand ticket at a local viewing party, including the City of Henderson’s event at Water Street Plaza.
What time is the Las Vegas Grand Prix?
| Date | Formula 1 sessions in Las Vegas time |
|---|---|
| Thursday, November 19 | Practice at 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. |
| Friday, November 20 | Practice at 4:30 p.m. and qualifying at 8 p.m. |
| Saturday, November 21 | Grand Prix at 8 p.m. |
If you’re new to F1, Friday night is worth watching too. Qualifying helps set the starting order for Saturday’s race. And if you’ve ever sat in traffic on Las Vegas Boulevard, there’s something a little surreal about seeing race cars fly down that same stretch of road. Official event schedule and F1 Academy sessions
Where can you watch F1 in Las Vegas without a race ticket?
| Where | Saturday, November 21 | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Water Street Plaza, downtown Henderson | Party at 7 p.m., race at 8 p.m. | Outdoor big-screen watch party at 240 S. Water Street, with a DJ and lawn games. City of Henderson event listing |
| Eight Lounge, Resorts World Las Vegas | Race at 8 p.m. | Cigar lounge for ages 21 and up. Check the venue’s RSVP and seating details. Eight Lounge race weekend |
| Charlie’s Sports Bar, Wynn Las Vegas | Seating at 7:30 p.m. | Wynn lists a $165 food-and-drink viewing package. Wynn watch party |
If I wanted to watch with a crowd and stay away from the Strip traffic, I’d head to Water Street. Bring a jacket. It’s still the desert, but it’s November at night.
Who should you cheer for?
As of November 4, the top three drivers were Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes, 380 points), Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing, 261), and Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari, 259). Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull Racing were the top three teams in the constructors’ standings. Both drivers can score points for their team, so there are two championships to follow. Formula 1 driver standings · FIA standings after Mexico City
Here’s the part I like explaining to people who are new to Formula 1. Verstappen won in Mexico City, Hamilton finished second, and Antonelli finished third and clinched the season title. You can watch one driver win the race and another win the championship on the same afternoon. In Vegas, I’ll be watching Verstappen and Hamilton. Two points separated them after Mexico City. Formula 1’s Mexico City race recap
Which roads are affected during F1 race week?
Las Vegas Boulevard after dark. Photo by YosemiteYamper via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
The street circuit uses sections of Las Vegas Boulevard, Koval Lane, Harmon Avenue and Sands Avenue. If you work nearby, have dinner plans or are picking someone up at a hotel, check the official transportation map before your afternoon drive. Look up the specific entrance you need. Two places can look close on a map and be a much longer walk when the circuit is between them. Official circuit FAQ · Race-week traffic and transportation updates
If you’re taking the bus, check RTC for your stop and any detours. If you’re going to the race, find your ticket zone before choosing a Monorail station or rideshare drop-off. RTC alerts and detours · Grand Prix arrival guide
What does race week look like from your side of town?
If you work on the Strip or own a business nearby, I’m curious what you’ve actually seen. Does race weekend bring more customers through the door? Does it make it harder to get to work? Maybe it’s both. And if you’re watching, are you going to the grandstands, heading to Water Street or staying on the couch?
I write about what it’s like to live here, from race weekend to buying your first home. You’ll find more local updates at GwenLion.com. If you have a question about buying, selling or renting in Las Vegas, Henderson or North Las Vegas, reach out to me here.
Gwen Lion | REALTOR® S.0184265 | Love Las Vegas Realty | @lionessgwen