Formula E Expects Sellout Crowd In Miami

Formula E cars

Formula E organizers "are expecting a sellout crowd of more than 50,000 spectators for Saturday’s race in South Florida, as the all-electric racing series makes its U.S. debut on the streets of downtown Miami," according to HJ Mai of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. While the layout of the race circuit along Miami’s Biscayne Bay "makes it difficult to build full grandstands," Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag said "there will be a large area for general admission."

Agag: "The numbers are 15,000 to 20,000 fans on the grandstands; I think we are going to sell those out. Another 20,000 to 30,000 fans can be around the [general admission] area."

Should the predictions hold true, it would enable Formula E "to celebrate its third sellout crowd in five events for its debut, 2014-15 season."

Fans attending the South Florida race not only will get a full day of racing — with two practices, qualifying and a race — but "they’ll also receive off-track entertainment as part of the admission." The eVillage festival area "will give Formula E teams and sponsors the opportunity to showcase their technologies and promote their affiliation with the series." Driver appearances "will be featured as well."

Agag: "We want to have this championship very open for the fans to get them close to the drivers."

FAMILY FUN: Formula E "aims to be a family friendly motorsports series." Agag "pointed out the reduced sound level produced by Formula E cars in comparison to traditional race cars, touting the series as perhaps a more favorable destination for families and children in that regard."

For Michael Andretti, a former IndyCar driver who not only owns a Formula E team but also runs the Miami event through his Andretti Sports Marketing, "it is all about trying to do whatever it takes to help the series succeed in the United States." Andretti: "It’s a big undertaking to do it if you had to do it all on your own.

[Formula E] needed some help, and we were able to come in and help. [The Miami race] is an important race for Formula E because the U.S. obviously is a huge market. We need to do well here."

On the sponsorship front, Andretti’s group "was able to sign the local sponsorship deal with Florida Power & Light for this year’s event." He said additional local sponsorship packages "were still available for Saturday’s race, as well." Andretti: "There are always places to sell. I don’t think you can ever be sold out" SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL