F1 Arcade will launch its third US venue in Denver in 2025 after successful openings in Boston and Washington, D.C. this year.
The launch builds upon Formula 1’s plan to open 30 global locations within the next five years, with the expansion coinciding with the exploding popularity of F1 simulated racing competitions.
Esports Fan Base Fuels F1 Sim Racing
Over the past two years, Formula 1 has become heavily involved with esports. In 2024, it sponsored the F1 Sim Racing World Championship, holding 11 events across April and May.
The game allows players to compete as real-life drivers for major teams, with the most famous Grand Prix tracks digitally recreated to be as realistic as possible.
The expansion into esports marks a growing trend that sees major sports and gaming merge. For example, there are several slots at a Canada online casino and live table games that feature a football theme, with customers also able to wager on virtual motorsports such as NASCAR. These products help to create a pipeline into F1 fandom as the sport reaches new heights in its popularity.
What the Denver F1 Arcade Offers
The new 15,000-square-foot venue will be constructed in Denver’s RiNo District and will open sometime in 2025.
The venue will feature 69 full-motion simulators and a private function room with 12 additional simulators and capacity for 100 people. According to the Denver Arcade press release, the social space will also offer food and beverage services.
Players will be able to complete circuits such as Austin’s Circuit of the Americas and Singapore’s Marina Bay Street Circuit. Race options include three-player head-to-head racing or team racing. Fully licensed by Formula 1, there will be regular tournaments and events, with prize draws including tickets to local and international F1 Grand Prix.
The business has proved lucrative for investors, with estimates for revenues from the inaugural London venues between $158 million and $238 million in its first three years. The company announced a successful $37 million investment round in March 2024 to back the next stages of its international growth.
Formula 1 Hits Record Viewership
Leveraged by the hit Netflix F1 documentary series Drive to Survive, Formula 1 has experienced impressive growth in viewership in the USA. The fanbase now includes more than 44 million Americans, with 2023’s Las Vegas Grand Prix attracting more than 315,000 fans.
It’s also seeking to build closer connections to the US by expanding its grid in 2026 to allow a General Motors American team.
The release of Drive to Survive’s seventh season in early 2025 will surely boost audience figures higher, with Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes and Christian Horner’s controversies set to take center stage. Fans of F1 Sim Racing are also eagerly awaiting the announcement of the 2025 F1 Sim Racing World Championship.
With Denver’s F1 Arcade marking the expansion of the organization’s expansion into immersive media, it seems there’s no stopping the Formula 1 craze.
The arcade will provide a new pipeline to develop Colorado’s emerging roster of simulated racing drivers, promising a transformative effect on the rapidly-growing esport.