Stephen Ross says Miami GP Outperforming NFL

Formula 1 is officially eating the NFL’s lunch in Miami — and the man who owns both sides of the equation just said it out loud. Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross (pictured)—the billionaire behind Hard Rock Stadium and the promoter of the Miami Grand Prix—stunned CNBC viewers yesterday when he admitted that his annual F1 event is vastly outperforming his NFL team at the turnstiles.

Appearing on the network, Ross didn’t hold back when asked about the financial reality of the two properties he controls.

“F1 has been great,” Ross said. “We get more attendance for F1 races for three days than the entire [Dolphins] season tickets that we sold.”

Let that sink in.

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 and Oscar Piastri of Australia driving the (81) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes battle for track position on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 04, 2025 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool //

The 2025 Miami Grand Prix drew 275,000 fans across its three-day weekend—already ranking as the least-attended of the three U.S. rounds on the calendar. Yet that single event still generated 25% more ticket revenue than all Miami Dolphins home games combined.

One race weekend. Three days. More bodies through the gates—and more money in the bank—than an entire NFL season of Dolphins football.

For context, the Dolphins play eight regular-season home games a year at Hard Rock Stadium. Ross’s comments make it crystal clear that the glamour, global appeal, and star power of Formula 1 are delivering a far bigger live-event punch in South Florida than America’s most popular sport.

This isn’t some isolated fluke. Since F1 returned to Miami in 2022, the event has become a must-attend spectacle, blending high-speed racing on a purpose-built track around the stadium with celebrity-packed hospitality, yacht parties, and South Beach energy. It’s turned Hard Rock Stadium into a year-round cash machine, even as the Dolphins continue their on-field rebuild.

Meanwhile, the NFL continues to prioritize television billions over in-person fans (see: Thursday Night Football flexing that wreaks havoc on ticket holders). Ross’s honest admission highlights a growing divide: while the NFL dominates TV, F1 is winning the live-experience war in markets like Miami.

Ross has been one of F1’s biggest American boosters, helping bring the sport back to the U.S. and investing heavily in the Miami GP’s long-term future. His comments on CNBC weren’t spins—they were straight facts from a man who sees the numbers from both sides of his empire.

With the 2026 F1 season already heating up and the Miami Grand Prix locked in as one of the calendar’s crown-jewel events, the gap is only expected to widen.

AutoRacing1.com has been tracking F1’s explosive growth in America from day one. This latest revelation from Stephen Ross proves what fans have felt for years: when it comes to putting fans in seats and delivering unforgettable live experiences, Formula 1 isn’t just competing with the NFL in Miami — it’s beating it.

Hard Rock Stadium belongs to F1 for one wild weekend a year. And right now, it’s the most profitable weekend of them all.