Current:Home > StocksF1 Miami food prices circulated lacked context. Here's why $280 lobster rolls were on menu -Zenith Money Vision
F1 Miami food prices circulated lacked context. Here's why $280 lobster rolls were on menu
View
Date:2025-04-12 19:01:02
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Formula One race organizers in Miami and Las Vegas are aware of the negative reaction expensive ticket and premium food options yield, but hope lower price points can entice aspiring fans wanting to experience F1 in the United States.
Business reporter Darren Rovell shared a picture on social media showing the $180 platter of carne asada nachos, $190 for chicken wings, $280 for Maine lobster rolls, and the $400 option to add an ounce of caviar to any food item. The tweet, understandably, received plenty of comments over the weekend.
“I think what he missed on that one was that’s actually a suite menu. So, it's lobster rolls for like eight to 10 people. So, $280 for lobster for 10 people in a suite is still a lot of money. But it’s lobster. It’s not a hot dog,” Miami Dolphins CEO and Miami Grand Prix managing partner Tom Garfinkel said Sunday during an interview with select media before the race.
Still, Miami and Las Vegas race organizers want to ensure fans they do not have to break the bank to experience F1 in the second year the country will host three races.
McLaren's Lando Norris won his first career race in Miami over the weekend, and F1 will return later this year for the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas (Oct. 18-20) and the Las Vegas Grand Prix (Nov. 21-23).
The Las Vegas race offers a $150 opening-day ticket and $600 general admission for the three-day weekend. They are also adding 10,000 more general admission tickets, some including food and beverage, with new bench seating in some areas for fans to experience the action.
“[We’re] trying to get that ticket price down for some people who really want to join that entry-level seat on the track,” Renee Wilm, Las Vegas Grand Prix CEO, told USA TODAY Sports. “These new GA sections will also include a bench to grandstand for viewing. It won't be assigned seating, but it will allow our fans to be able to find a place to sit and watch the cars fly by.”
The United States Grand Prix, held at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, offers a $389 three-day general admission ticket before fees.
Miami reduced the price of their general admission campus pass from $590 to $450 for the three-day race weekend this year. Some fans also took advantage of the 305-day promotion, ending on March 5, which offered the campus pass for $305 (Miami’s area code).
The campus pass allowed fans to experience the activations around Hard Rock Stadium and stand on risers at various points along the racetrack to get as close to the action as possible.
Fans could also walk around the 300 level of the stadium with an overhead view of the track on the concourse, and open seating inside the stadium where they could look down onto team hospitality areas to catch glimpses of their favorite drivers, team principals and celebrities during the weekend.
“I've never watched a race on television with someone and been able to turn them into a fan. And I've never taken someone to an event, and not turn them into a fan,” Garfinkel said. “I think a lot of times people will come to an event like this, may not know much about the racing. They come for a great event. And then, they learn about it and fall in love with racing, and start watching TV. So, I think it's all great for Formula One.”
Miami also offered concessions from more than 65 local food vendors, bucking the trend of traditional stadium food, with meal prices ranging around $20 – far from the $280 lobster rolls.
“It's not lost on me that the tickets are expensive. So, I'm always talking to the concessionaire about trying to keep concession prices lower. With inflation, cost of goods has gone up, not just the cost to operate,” Garfinkel said. “We do have significant, over 65, independent kitchens on site. We have a lot of different vendors, a lot of different purveyors. We have to run power to all these sites, water, all these things. It’s expensive, but we try not to pass that off on the consumer in terms of crazy prices. People have to be able to come out and be able to eat, drink and have a good time. And so we try to focus on those things.
“So, for $150 a day, I think you can have a great experience. And then there's $15,000 for the highest end with lobster from Carbone."
veryGood! (892)
Related
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Women’s roller derby league sues suburban New York county over ban on transgender female athletes
- Hairy? These Are the Best Hair Removal Products From Shaving to Waxing
- College Student Missing After Getting Kicked Out of Luke Bryan’s Nashville Bar
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- Sting 3.0 Tour: Ex-Police frontman to hit the road for 2024 concerts
- When does 'Invincible' come out? Season 2 Part 2 release date, cast, where to watch
- Céline Dion Makes Rare Public Appearance at Hockey Game Amid Health Battle
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- Proof Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright's Marriage Was Imploding Months Before Separation
Ranking
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- Wife accused of killing UConn professor and hiding his body pleads guilty to manslaughter
- Four astronauts from four countries return to Earth after six months in orbit
- Wisconsin Republicans fire eight more Evers appointees, including regents and judicial watchdogs
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- National Republican Chairman Whatley won’t keep other job leading North Carolina GOP
- Ghislaine Maxwell’s lawyer tell appeals judges that Jeffrey Epstein’s Florida plea deal protects her
- Proof Brittany and Patrick Mahomes' 2 Kids Were the MVPs of Their Family Vacation
Recommendation
Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
New Heights: Jason and Travis Kelce win iHeartRadio Podcast of the Year award
Illinois police identify 5 people, including 3 children, killed when school bus, semitruck collide
Illinois police identify 5 people, including 3 children, killed when school bus, semitruck collide
Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
Peter Navarro, former Trump White House adviser, ordered to report to federal prison by March 19
Illinois police identify 5 people, including 3 children, killed when school bus, semitruck collide
Wild horses facing removal in a North Dakota national park just got another strong ally: Congress