Stephen Ross, owner of the Miami Dolphins and the Miami International Autodrome, recently shared his thoughts on CNBC about the remarkable success of the Miami Grand Prix. He expressed clear enthusiasm for the results, highlighting the event’s extremely positive impact in terms of both general appeal and, particularly, audience attendance. Ross emphasized that the Formula 1 event represents a significant economic and promotional asset for the entire complex, which also includes the Hard Rock Stadium, under his ownership.
F1 outdrawing NFL season tickets
Ross made his point very clear: “F1 has been incredible. We see more attendance for the three-day F1 race weekend than we have season ticket holders for all the Dolphins games combined.” This statement underlines the fact that the single F1 weekend—spanning Friday, Saturday, and Sunday—attracts more total attendees than the combined number of season ticket holders for every home game of the Dolphins during the entire NFL regular season.
The upcoming Miami GP will be the first major event after the enforced break, following the (non-permanent) cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix in April.
Attendance comparison: F1 vs NFL
The heart of Ross’s point lies in the numerical gap between the two events. Formula 1 in Miami consistently draws large crowds across three consecutive days, leveraging the traditional race weekend format that includes free practice sessions, qualifying, and the main race, alongside numerous fan activities and entertainment.
This accumulation of attendance surpasses the total number of Dolphins season ticket holders, who typically cover eight home games (plus any playoff matches) but rarely reach full stadium capacity for each event. Ross highlighted that the F1 event fills the venue more densely and efficiently compared to the NFL product, despite the long-standing tradition and historical following of professional American football in the United States.
Economic and local appeal implications
The box office success of the Miami GP translates into tangible benefits for Stephen Ross, who owns both the NFL franchise and the F1 event rights at the same venue. This dual control allows him to diversify revenue streams and capitalize on a format that attracts an international, premium audience willing to spend significantly on tickets, hospitality packages, and related experiences.
In contrast, the Dolphins face challenges in maintaining high season ticket sales, influenced by factors such as on-field performance (the team has not won a playoff game in over 20 years), competition from other sports and entertainment options in Miami, and a degree of local market saturation.
Business model comparison: NFL vs Formula 1
The NFL maintains absolute dominance in U.S. television audiences, with broadcast and streaming contracts generating virtually unlimited and growing cash flow. This model prioritizes media rights revenue over in-stadium experience—evidenced by flexible scheduling of Thursday night games, often adjusted at the last minute to optimize TV ratings, even if it inconveniences ticket holders and season subscribers.
Formula 1, meanwhile, has seen substantial growth in viewership (averaging 1.3 million viewers per race on ESPN last year, a record for the sport, plus additional gains reported via Apple TV’s new coverage), but it excels in generating massive and profitable live attendance. Events like the Miami GP maximize the appeal of live spectacle, international stars, and integration with concerts and other activities, creating concentrated appeal that exceeds that of the Dolphins’ regular season in terms of physical attendance.
Stephen Ross’s pragmatic perspective
Stephen Ross’s comments convey satisfaction with Formula 1’s economic and promotional contribution, while also contrasting it with the challenges faced by the local NFL team in matching attendance figures. His message is pragmatic: it acknowledges the limitations of the local NFL product compared to a glamorous, global event like a Grand Prix, while also emphasizing how this diversification works well for him as a business owner. The comparison is not a critique of the NFL itself, but rather an observation of differing priorities: virtually unlimited TV value on one side, and a premium, concentrated live experience on the other.
The success of the Miami event therefore stands as a testament to the sport’s growing footprint in North America. The ability of a single race weekend to outperform an entire season of NFL tickets suggests that the appetite for high-speed, luxury-tier entertainment is only increasing. For Stephen Ross, the roar of the engines around the Hard Rock Stadium is clearly proving to be just as valuable as a game-winning touchdown.
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