2025 SEMA Show

Event Date: Friday, November 7, 2025 Location: Las Vegas Convention Center

Photos and blog by Henry Ma / PHM

Here we go again, one of the largest anything auto, cars, trucks, motorcycles, atv, utv, basically if it’s got gears you can find it here and someone will mod the hell out of it. Anyway we all know what SEMA Show is about.. $$$$$$ Yes that’s right, I’ve been going to SEMA for years way back during Fast and Furious days when the import car scene was huge. Back then it’s industry only so you need be in the automotive industry to even get in. So how did PHM get in before as media? Well back then we were covering tons of models at different events so we’re particularly in the industry (until I happened to piss off the CEO of SEMA (Chris Kersting) I believe. There’s a backstory to this.

Back then when I was covering SEMA Show, being the nice guy that I am, I was trying to help models find gigs. I wasn’t getting a cut or anything so I was going around soliciting the exhibitors and I suppose one of the exhibitors ratted me out to SEMA official and got all the way to the top. Well the CEO was not happy with this, he didn’t even give me a warning, just flat out banned me for life. 🙁 Afterwards I find out the reason behind this.. again this is about $$$ as SEMA has partnered with an official modeling agency. Any exhibitors that want models at their booth MUST go via this agency no exceptions. Well we all know how much booths already costing at SEMA and now they’re forcing exhibitors to pay an arm and a leg for models as well. Now you know the real reasons why there’s less and less models at SEMA. I’m sure there’s exhibitors that did NOT go through the proper channel for their models but they’re risking their spots at future SEMA shows.

And yes back then there’s no such thing as Friday experience that’s opened to the public (again they’re just trying to make extra $$$$) Anyway this explains why I’m only able to attend Friday. 🙁

It’s such a big show you really need at least 2 days to see everything, just look at the map above. It’s just INSANE! The outside section is already HUGE! Then now they’ve added SEMA Fest (I’ll get to that in a bit) I felt like I was running around like a headless chicken, there’s just so many things to see, free stuff to grab, I’m not even sure where to start. But I did end up starting at South Hall (no choice as there’s where I picked up my badge) You can either use West Hall or South and since I parked close to South, that’s the spot. While the Tesla Vegas Loop helps get around, the number of crowds there is just too crazy (and this was the last day, I can’t imagine Tuesday or Wednesday, you probably can’t move around too much)

Anyway, if you haven’t been to SEMA Show, I highly recommend checking it out at least once. Just look at all the FREE stuff I’ve got on Friday. 🙂

Now I wanted to talk about SEMA Fest and what it really means. And also before I forget, a lot of people don’t know this but the outside section of SEMA is FREE. I’ve circled in red below.

The only catch is finding parking. Nearby parking this year was 30 bucks. With Renaissance hotel asking for 80 bucks.. yes this is NOT a typo, they want $80 for parking!! If you’re a local and want to save money. Here’s a tip. Park your car at Sahara (FREE parking) then grab (2) tickets from Monorail booth for 1 dollar each. Yes just one buck! The catch is you MUST show your local NV ID/license to buy these. That way you’re only spending 2 bucks and you get to check out SEMA Show (outside sections) for FREE! And yes you can still grab FREE stuff (my coworker went with me and he didn’t have a badge) There’s no checking for badges (outside) Now granted some exhibitors will want to scan your badge for the free stuff but most don’t care.

Back to SEMA Fest, I actually paid extra to attend this last year. Total BS!! Reason? 75% concert 20% selling you gears, food, etc. 5% drifting. The way they setup the main stage is a joke (for the GA crowd) because it BLOCKS the view and designed for VIP folks. The only saving grace was the OPTIMA transformer (it was a fire breathing dragon) while cars drift around it. Very cool! Sadly I didn’t even see it this year. And yes there’s no in and out because they want to force you to buy their expensive food/drinks/etc. So once you’re in, you’re stuck. If you don’t care about the concert or performers, skip SEMA Fest, you can technically watch the drift part outside or better yet (on top of Renaissance parking structure nearby) As a side note, they do have police on the roof for extra security (I didn’t see this last year)

Above: This year’s SEMA Fest setup, looks like they re-did the design slightly. There weren’t any cars last year at all. And looks like they redid the stage but still VIP is the way to go if you want to get close.

Below: There’s still constructions at the convention center but hopefully they’ll wrap it up for next year.

That wraps it up and if you got to the bottom of this page, thank you for reading my rants. Check out the (2) videos from the event (it’s not long so don’t worry it’ll be quick)

2025 SEMA Show Landscape edition on YouTube

2025 SEMA Show Portrait edition on YouTube

Last but not least, photo of Sung Kang as Han Lue in Fast & Furious