The Concours at Wynn Las Vegas: A New King on the Supercar Scene
The term “concours d’elegance” generally means “a show or contest of vehicles and accessories judged primarily on appearance and turnout.” In the elite world of exotic cars, the conversation inevitably turns to whether one show surpasses the legendary Pebble Beach Concours. While Pebble Beach, with its legendary Monterey Car Week, still holds the title of the premier classic car event, its reign is being challenged. The Quail, often seen as the appetizer to Pebble’s grand finale, may soon have a strong competitor for the top spot.
The Dominance of The Quail
For enthusiasts of modern and brand-new supercars, The Quail (officially known as The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering) has long been considered the better event. Many car collectors bypass the Pebble Beach Concours on Sunday, finding little interest in classic vehicles. The demise of the Geneva International Auto Show has created a significant void in the supercar calendar, a void that The Quail has filled successfully.
To illustrate The Quail’s importance, consider these examples: the Lamborghini Aventador debuted at Geneva in 2011, and the Veneno followed in 2013. The Aventador’s successor, the Revuelto, was unveiled online, but the Temerario (the Huracán’s replacement) made its first public appearance at The Quail in 2024. The $7 million Fenomeno, which Pagani plans to produce in a limited run of ten, also debuted at The Quail in 2025. Bugatti unveiled the Chiron in Geneva in 2016, but the Divo (2018) and Mistral (2022) were both first shown to the public at The Quail. Dozens of other vehicles have followed this trend, making The Quail the world’s premier venue for unveiling the latest hypercars.
Until recently, I believed The Quail’s position was secure. However, attending the 2025 Las Vegas Concours, officially known as Concours at Wynn Las Vegas, changed my perspective. I had attended the 2024 event and found it enjoyable but limited in scope. This year, however, was different. My attendance was due to a partnership with Czinger, but I left wondering if this newcomer might be the new king of the supercar show scene.
A Display of Unrivaled Scale
The Wynn Vegas Concours showcased an astonishing 48 Bugatti Veyrons. With only 450 Veyrons produced globally and 100 sold in North America, having 48 in one location is unprecedented. Bugatti also displayed a stunning white Vitesse Super Sport to mark the Veyron’s 20th anniversary, alongside a Bolide, Centodieci, Chiron Super Sport, Divo, Mistral, and a model of the upcoming 18-cylinder hybrid, the Tourbillon. Showcasing more than 10% of all Bugatti Veyrons ever built left a lasting impression.
For those who favor Paganis, the event was equally impressive. I didn’t get the exact count, but there were over 40 Paganis on display. The selection included several Zondas, a Zonda Revolution (one of five), dozens of Huayras, numerous Utopias, and—most notably for The Quail—the Huayra Codalunga Speedster. Pagani plans to produce only ten of these at a price of $7 million each before taxes and tariffs. (The mint green model displayed, owned by Apple’s Tim Cook, was displayed under cover.) Even if high-performance composites aren’t your preference, the 2025 Las Vegas Concours was the largest gathering of Paganis in North America. Furthermore, Horatio Pagani and his team chose this event to debut the Codalunga, a significant endorsement of the show’s rising status.
The Lamborghini section was equally stunning. The 2025 Wynn Vegas Concours hosted the largest gathering of Lamborghinis in history, with estimates around 230 vehicles out of the 600 total cars present. This stunning display included a Veneno Coupe (one of three publicly sold; the factory kept 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). Seeing these “few-offs,” as Lamborghini calls them, together in one place was breathtaking—a spectacular exhibition of precious, high-performance Italian metal and composites.
In the interest of brevity, I am leaving out the extensive displays of Koenigseggs, the Gumpert Apollo, Czingers, Nilu, the McLaren Project Endurance race car debut, and the judged cars. However, it’s worth noting that even the judged entries included a former Pebble Beach Concours-winning 1929 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Barker Tourer 26/120/180 which also won prewar Best of Show. The event also featured the HWA EVO, a Mercedes-AMG One, two Oldsmobile Aerotechs, and a McLaren F1. In short, it was an unparalleled car show.
The Future of Luxury Automotive Events
As I spoke with fellow attendees, two questions kept surfacing. The first was, “How are they going to top this next year?” The organizers face a significant challenge, but I wish them the best of luck.
The second question, and frankly the more intriguing one, came from the OEMs: “Should we even bother going to The Quail next year?” It’s a valid question. Perhaps we should also wish The Quail well.
The Financial Advantage
To understand the challenges The Quail faces, consider the costs. A single ticket for The Quail costs $1,300 for returning attendees (“legacy ticket holders”) and $1,600 for first-time visitors. While these prices reflect the high cost for manufacturers—approximately $400,000 to display a car there for six hours—the Las Vegas Concours charges only a fraction of that amount. Tickets are $100 each, equating to roughly $2 per Veyron on display.
Several carmakers openly questioned the necessity of attending The Quail again. They mused whether Las Vegas and Moda Miami would suffice. Moreover, attendees will not face the wallet-draining prices of hotels in Monterey, where a friend stayed at a motel near Pebble Beach for $1,100 per night (with a five-night minimum) and endured soul-crushing traffic running between events. In contrast, Las Vegas is built for large gatherings, making dinner reservations straightforward.
While these points may seem radical, Geneva was once the 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 must-attend event. You should add it to your schedule.