Inside F1's most exclusive club: The Palm Club at Miami GP

The Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix features a hospitality space where money can't buy a ticket: The Palm Club. Curated entirely by the event's top executives, this ultra-exclusive area offers A-list celebrities, athletes, and select guests a secluded, high-end experience with the best views of the podium, operating on a strict invitation-only basis that bypasses the public ticket market entirely.

Why it matters:

The Palm Club exemplifies Formula 1's evolution into a premium global spectacle that merges high-stakes sport with elite luxury and networking. Its existence highlights the sport's powerful appeal beyond the track, serving as a key node for celebrity influence and high-level business, while also setting a new benchmark for exclusivity and curated experiences at Grand Prix events.

The details:

• Curated Access: The guest list is personally hand-picked by Miami Dolphins CEO and Miami GP Managing Partner Tom Garfinkel alongside team owner Stephen Ross. There is no public ticket price or sales channel.
• Secluded Arrival: Invited guests use a private valet and are transported via electric Mokes directly to the entrance, avoiding the general crowds on the Hard Rock Stadium campus.
• Strict Rules: The club enforces a "no entourage, no private security" policy, with a dedicated holding area for any unexpected additional team members.
• Unique Ambiance: The space features over 1,000 plants, including critically endangered palm species. A specialist transports these palms to a private nursery after each race and returns them the following year, with some plants having made this trip for 3-4 years.
• Premium Offerings: Race day seating is fully reserved. The food and beverage program is managed by Major Food Group, and the signature cocktail is the "Spicy Palm," a favorite of Tom Garfinkel.
• Saturday Exclusive: The club hosts an annual fine and rare wine lunch where about 40 guests bring a top-shelf bottle from their personal collections.

The big picture:

The Palm Club is part of a broader tiered hospitality ecosystem at the Miami GP, designed to cater to different levels of wealth and access. For those not on the exclusive list, the 72 Club—located one floor below—offers a premium, ticketed experience with trackside views and restaurants from David Grutman’s Groot Hospitality for $10,000 to $14,000. Furthermore, the even more discreet Record Room provides a private lounge behind the paddock for team principals and top-tier guests to conduct meetings away from the bustle. These spaces collectively illustrate how modern F1 events are engineered not just for racing fans, but as multifaceted hubs for luxury, business, and celebrity culture.