Why the Las Vegas Concours Is the New Must-See Auto Event of 2026
The world of elite automotive events is undergoing a seismic shift. While the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance has long been the gold standard for collectors, auction houses, and automotive enthusiasts, a new contender has emerged that is forcing the industry to rethink what constitutes a must-attend gathering. In 2026, many connoisseurs are casting their gaze upon the Las Vegas Concours (officially known as Concours at Wynn Las Vegas) as a potential successor to the crown.
With over ten years of experience tracking high-end automotive events, I’ve witnessed firsthand the evolution of these gatherings. Monterey Car Week, featuring the Pebble Beach Concours, remains the pinnacle for traditionalists. Yet, the landscape is changing. In my professional opinion, after attending the 2025 Las Vegas Concours, this event is no longer just a regional spectacle but a global force, threatening to eclipse long-standing institutions like The Quail.
This article explores why the Las Vegas Concours has become a critical event for the modern automotive elite, why leading brands are diverting their attention from Monterey to Nevada, and what this shift means for collectors, investors, and the future of automotive exhibitions.
The Definition of a “Concours” in 2026
For those unfamiliar with the term, a “concours” is traditionally defined as a show or contest where vehicles and accessories are judged primarily on their aesthetic excellence and presentation. While this definition holds true for the traditionalists at Pebble Beach, the modern automotive world demands more.
The Las Vegas Concours has redefined this concept. It’s no longer just about displaying classic cars in pristine condition; it’s about celebrating the latest and greatest in automotive engineering, design, and technology. In 2026, a true “concours” must showcase not only history but also the future of motoring.
Pebble Beach: The King That May Be Losing Its Grip
Pebble Beach remains the undisputed king of the concours. Every August, this legendary event on the Monterey Peninsula draws the world’s most affluent collectors, automakers, and historians. The ambiance is unparalleled, with Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Bugattis parading along 17-Mile Drive, culminating in a prestigious judging session that has awarded some of the rarest cars ever built.
However, the traditional luxury of Pebble Beach is becoming less relevant for a growing segment of the automotive elite. These enthusiasts are less interested in vintage automobiles and more focused on the cutting edge of supercar technology. Many attendees of Car Week leave the final judging day to focus on other events, like The Quail, which increasingly features the latest hypercars. The closure of the Geneva International Auto Show left a void in the supercar calendar, and The Quail has stepped in to fill it, even showcasing debuts of million-dollar cars like the Lamborghini Temerario in 2024 and the Bugatti Divo in 2022.
The Quail has become the premier destination for those seeking the latest in hypercar innovation, drawing major automakers and offering a tantalizing glimpse into the future of performance. However, until recently, I believed The Quail’s position was secure. Then, I attended the 2025 Las Vegas Concours, and I realized something fundamental has shifted in the automotive world.
The Rise of the Las Vegas Concours
To fully appreciate the significance of the Las Vegas Concours, one must first understand the context of the 2025 event. I also attended the 2024 Las Vegas Concours, and while it was a fun experience, it felt largely provincial. It featured many of the usual suspects in the automotive world, and honestly, if I hadn’t been working with Czinger as a guest, I probably wouldn’t have bothered going this year.
But I’m glad I did. The 2025 Concours at Wynn Las Vegas was a transformative experience. It was larger, more diverse, and far more impressive than the year before. In fact, it surpassed many of the expectations that even industry insiders had set for the event. The organizers at Wynn did not just host a show; they curated an automotive exhibition that rivaled the biggest names in the industry.
A Snapshot of Automotive Royalty
To grasp the scale of the Las Vegas Concours, consider the exhibitors. The event featured 48 Bugatti Veyrons, a staggering number considering that only 450 were ever built and 100 sold in North America. Well, actually, 49, as Bugatti also displayed a beautiful white Vitesse Super Sport to celebrate the Veyron’s 20th anniversary. They also brought a Bolide, Centodieci, Chiron Super Sport, Divo, Mistral, and a model of the upcoming Tourbillon, the 18-cylinder hybrid set to replace the Chiron. Displaying more than 10% of all the Bugatti Veyrons ever built in one place is a feat that still leaves my head spinning.
But the Veyrons were just the beginning. The event also showcased more than 40 Paganis. I didn’t get the exact number (I was too busy admiring the Veyrons), but there were several Zondas, including a Zonda Revolution (one of five ever made), dozens of Huayras, a bunch of Utopias, and—worryingly for The Quail—the debut of the Huayra Codalunga Speedster Pagani plans to produce in a limited run of ten at $7 million each before taxes and tariffs. (The mint green one that was displayed under wraps belonged to Apple’s Tim Cook.) Even if these carb-titanium extroverts aren’t your thing, the fact that not only was the 2025 Las Vegas Concours the largest gathering of Paganis ever in North America, but also that Horatio Pagani (who was honored onstage by emcee Justin Bell for his contributions to car design) and his team chose to introduce a car there says something profound about the event’s growing prestige.
The Lamborghini display was equally astonishing for those who appreciate high-performance Italian engineering. The 2025 Wynn Vegas Concours featured the largest gathering of Lamborghinis ever assembled. Again, I didn’t count, but the number being estimated was around 230 cars out of the 600 vehicles present that Saturday. This is simply mind-blowing. Of those 230 cars, there was a Veneno Coupe (one of only three ever sold to the public; the factory retained a fourth one), a Sesto Elemento (one of ten), a Centenario Coupe (one of 20) and Convertible (one of 20), and a Reventón (one of 21). The last time I saw all those “few-offs” (as Lamborghini calls them) together in the same place was at the factory’s museum. It was a flabbergasting display of precious, high-horsepower Italian metal and composites.
And the list goes on. In an attempt to keep this article concise, I’ve omitted 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 former and insane Pebble Beach Concours-winning 1929 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Barker Tourer 26/120/180 that won best of show in the prewar class here, too), the HWA EVO, a Mercedes-AMG One, two Oldsmobile Aerotechs, and a McLaren F1. Just listing these is impressive—imagine seeing them all in one place. That is one hell of a car show by any standard.
Why This Matters for Collectors and Investors
For car collectors and automotive investors, the shift toward events like the Las Vegas Concours represents a significant opportunity. While Pebble Beach and The Quail remain valuable assets, the increased focus on modern hypercars at the Las Vegas Concours highlights the growing interest in these high-performance vehicles.
Current Market Trends and Predictions
In 2026, the supercar market is characterized by innovation, exclusivity, and rapid depreciation. Many of the latest models, such as the Lambo Temerario or the Bugatti Divo, command high prices that continue to fluctuate based on market demand and the success of their respective brands. Automakers are increasingly using these events as launchpads for new vehicles, making them essential for collectors who want to stay ahead of the curve.
The Financial Implications of Choosing the Right Event
The cost of attending these events is a significant factor for collectors. A single ticket to The Quail last year cost $1,300 for past attendees and $1,600 for first-timers. It costs OEMs about $400,000 to put a car on display there for just six hours. The Las Vegas Concours charges about 1/20th of that. Tickets are only $100, which is about $2 per Veyron.
I spoke to three different carmakers who openly questioned the need to attend The Quail again. Perhaps, they mused, Las Vegas and Moda Miami are enough? Moreover, for attendees, you won’t be paying heart-attack-inducing prices for hotels (a friend stayed at a motel near Pebble that was $1,100 a night, five-night minimum), nor running around from event to event in soul-crushing traffic. Also, making dinner reservations is easy because Las Vegas is literally built for big gatherings.
This difference in pricing highlights the accessibility of the Las Vegas Concours. For
