The Rise of the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas: America’s New Premier Supercar Showcase
For decades, the automotive world has looked to the Monterey Peninsula as the pinnacle of car culture. The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the crown jewel of Monterey Car Week, has long stood unchallenged as the premier global gathering of automotive excellence. However, as the landscape of automotive enthusiasm evolves, a new contender has emerged from the neon-lit expanse of Las Vegas. The Concours at Wynn Las Vegas is no longer just a regional event; it has rapidly transformed into a formidable competitor for the title of the world’s most exciting supercar show.
The very definition of a “concours d’elegance” typically refers to a gathering where automobiles are judged primarily on their appearance and condition. Yet, for a growing segment of automotive enthusiasts, the modern concept of such an event has shifted. While the grace of a vintage Bugatti or the patina of a coach-built masterpiece remains timeless, the current generation of collectors is increasingly drawn to the bleeding edge of technology—the hypercars, the limited-edition hypercars, and the cutting-edge design that defines the 21st century.
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The Rise of the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas: America’s New Premier Supercar Showcase
For decades, the automotive world has looked to the Monterey Peninsula as the pinnacle of car culture. The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the crown jewel of Monterey Car Week, has long stood unchallenged as the premier global gathering of automotive excellence. However, as the landscape of automotive enthusiasm evolves, a new contender has emerged from the neon-lit expanse of Las Vegas. The Concours at Wynn Las Vegas is no longer just a regional event; it has rapidly transformed into a formidable competitor for the title of the world’s most exciting supercar show.
The very definition of a “concours d’elegance” typically refers to a gathering where automobiles are judged primarily on their appearance and condition. Yet, for a growing segment of automotive enthusiasts, the modern concept of such an event has shifted. While the grace of a vintage Bugatti or the patina of a coach-built masterpiece remains timeless, the current generation of collectors is increasingly drawn to the bleeding edge of technology—the hypercars, the limited-edition hypercars, and the cutting-edge design that defines the 21st century.
In this rapidly changing landscape, questions are being raised across the globe. Is Pebble Beach still the undisputed leader? How do other prestigious events stack up against it? The Monterey Car Week, a veritable orgy of luxury and high-performance motoring, culminates in the Sunday concours, but it is far from the only game in town. Events like the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Goodwood Revival in the UK, the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in Florida, Moda Miami, Retromobile in Paris, and the Audrain in Newport, Rhode Island, all vie for attention. The perennial question is: In a world saturated with automotive spectacles, does Pebble Beach still reign supreme?
Why The Quail Lost Its Crown
The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering has long been recognized as a superb appetizer to the main course of the Pebble Beach Concours. For many, particularly those passionate about modern and brand-new supercars, The Quail has already surpassed Pebble Beach’s Sunday showcase. These enthusiasts often bypass the Sunday judging to focus on the latest automotive marvels from leading manufacturers. The void left by the discontinuation of the Geneva International Auto Show has been smoothly filled by The Quail, making it a critical stop on the supercar calendar.
Consider the examples: The Lamborghini Aventador made its global debut at Geneva in 2011, followed by the highly exclusive Veneno in 2013. Its successor, the Revuelto, debuted digitally, but the Temerario—the future successor to the Huracán—was unveiled to the world at The Quail in 2024. The stunning seven-figure Fenomeno also made its debut at the 2025 Quail. While the Bugatti Chiron was introduced at Geneva in 2016, its successors—the Divo in 2018 and the Mistral in 2022—were both first presented to the world at The Quail. This pattern extends to dozens of other manufacturers, establishing The Quail as the premier venue for new hypercar unveilings.
For a long time, I assumed The Quail’s position in the global automotive hierarchy was unshakeable. Then, I attended the 2025 Las Vegas Concours (officially known as Concours at Wynn Las Vegas) this past Halloween, and my conviction faltered. I had attended the 2024 Vegas Concours and found it enjoyable, but it felt somewhat provincial. While there were some impressive cars, they were largely the usual suspects. Had it not been for a project with Czinger that landed me an invitation as a guest, I might not have attended this year. But I am profoundly glad I went.
A Spectacle of Unrivaled Proportion
The Wynn Las Vegas event this year featured an astonishing 48 Bugatti Veyrons. This is not a typo. Of the 450 total Veyrons ever built, and the 100 sold in North America, a staggering 48 were on display in Las Vegas. Even more impressively, 49 were present, as Bugatti brought a breathtaking white Vitesse Super Sport to celebrate the Veyron’s 20th anniversary. Alongside this spectacular display were a Bolide, Centodieci, Chiron Super Sport, Divo, Mistral, and a model of the upcoming 18-cylinder hybrid Tourbillon that will replace the Chiron. Showcasing more than 10% of all Veyrons ever produced in a single location left me reeling.
The younger generation of collectors is undeniably drawn to Paganis, and Las Vegas did not disappoint. There were more than 40 Paganis on display. While I didn’t get the exact count (I was too mesmerized by the Veyrons), the selection included several Zondas, including a Zonda Revolution (one of only five ever made), dozens of Huayras, numerous Utopias, and—much to The Quail’s consternation—the debut of the Huayra Codalunga Speedster, a car Pagani plans to produce in a limited run of 10 at an astonishing price of $7,000,000 each before tax and tariffs. The mint-green example on display in Vegas, shrouded under cover, belongs to Apple’s Tim Cook. Even if these bold, avant-garde machines are not your preference, the fact that the 2025 Las Vegas Concours hosted the largest Pagani gathering ever assembled in North America, and that Horatio Pagani himself—honored onstage by host Justin Bell for his contributions to automotive design—chose this venue to introduce a new model, speaks volumes. To return to the sheer numbers, more than 40 Paganis equals the total annual production of the factory.
The Lamborghini display was equally mind-blowing for those who appreciate these high-performance Italian icons. The 2025 Wynn Las Vegas Concours hosted the largest gathering of Lamborghinis ever. Again, I did not count, but the rumored number was around 230, accounting for a significant portion of the 600 cars present that Saturday. The collection featured a Veneno Coupe (one of only three sold to the public, with the factory retaining a fourth), a Sesto Elemento (one of ten), a Centenario coupe (one of twenty) and convertible (one of twenty), and a Reventón (one of twenty-one). The last time I witnessed all these limited-production models (what Lamborghini now calls the “few-offs”) in one place was at the factory’s museum. It was a stunning assembly of precious, high-horsepower Italian metal and composites.
To remain brief, I have omitted details about the Koenigseggs, the Gumpert Apollo, the Czingers, the Nilu, the McLaren Project Endurance race car debut, all the cars that were actually judged (including a stunning 1929 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Barker Tourer 26/120/180, a former and insane Pebble Beach Concours Best of Show winner, which also took top honors in the pre-war division at the Vegas Concours), the HWA EVO, a Mercedes-AMG One, two Oldsmobile Aerotechs, and a McLaren F1. That, in itself, constitutes one hell of a car show.
The Question of Sustainability: Can They Do It Again?
Two prevailing conversations dominated my discussions with fellow attendees at the Wynn Las Vegas Concours. The first was: “How on earth are they going to top this next year?” No one has the answer, but I wish the Wynn the best of luck. The second, frankly more intriguing, question came from the OEM manufacturers: “Should we even bother participating in The Quail next year?” It is a valid question, and perhaps, one must also wish The Quail good luck.
There are certain facts about The Quail that you may not know. Last year, a single ticket cost $1,300 as a courtesy to past attendees (referred to as “legacy ticket holders”). For first-time attendees, the price was $1,600. While these prices are steep, OEMs spend around $400,000 to display a car on a stand at The Quail for just six hours. In contrast, the Las Vegas Concours charges approximately 1/20th of that amount. For attendees, tickets are just $100—equivalent to about $2 per Veyron on display. I spoke with three different manufacturers who openly questioned the need to ever return to The Quail. They mused whether Las Vegas and Moda Miami might now be sufficient. Moreover, for attendees, there are no heart-stopping hotel prices (a friend stayed at a motel near Pebble for $1,100 a night with a five-night minimum), nor the frustration of navigating soul-crushing traffic between venues. In Las Vegas, making dinner reservations is simple, as the city is designed to accommodate large gatherings.
This transformation may seem unexpected, but just a few years ago, Geneva was the undisputed center of the supercar world. I cannot predict the future, but I can assure you that the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas is now a mandatory stop on my calendar. You should add it to yours as well.
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