Formula 1 lands in Texas for the first round of an Americas triple header next October. Here’s everything you need to know about attending the 2025 United States Grand Prix at COTA.
- The 2025 United States Grand Prix takes place at Circuit of The Americas on October 17-19
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Formula 1 seems to have finally found a stable stateside home at Circuit of The Americas. This will be the twelfth running of the United States Grand Prix at the venue, with the Texas circuit having hosted the event since 2012.
Since COTA joined the calendar, Formula 1 has added a further two races in the United States. The Miami Grand Prix joined the F1 calendar in 2022 and was joined by the highly-anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix, which took place for the first time last year. 2024 is only the third Formula 1 season – after 1982 and 2023 – that the United States will stage three races in a single season.
Heading to COTA for the first time? All the essential travel information you need can be found in Travel Basics
Tickets Not Yet On Sale for the 2025 United States Grand Prix, F1 Experiences Available
Tickets have not yet gone on sale for the 2025 United States Grand Prix, but you can place a deposit with COTA. Ticket packages from F1 Experiences, F1’s official ticket package partner, are now on sale for 2025. F1 Experiences Live, Haas Hangout, Champions Club and Paddock Club packages are recommended. Click the buttons below for current availability and pricing
Circuit of The Americas has been almost ever-present on the Formula 1 calendar since joining in 2012, aside from its one-year enforced absence in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The circuit configuration has been a hit with drivers since joining the calendar over a decade ago, while the A-list entertainment line-up keeps fans satisfied.
Formula 1’s popularity soared between the 2019 and 2021 races, thanks in part to Netflix series Drive To Survive. While 268,000 attended the 3-day weekend in 2019, 400,000 attended in 2021. That figure grew even higher in 2022, to 440,000, making the United States Grand Prix the best-attended race that season. Attendance dropped slightly in 2023 but it is hoped that it will return to record-breaking levels in 2024, with tickets sales increasing since the title fight came to life over the summer. COTA is located around 30km from downtown Austin, and there’s plenty to check out in the city. From great gigs to great food, there’s a lot to take in. We’ve rounded up the best places to visit on your United States Grand Prix trip in Off-Track Activities.
High Attendance Expected
Formula 1’s profile has been boosted in the United States in recent years thanks to more easily accessible television coverage, plus the hit Netflix series Drive to Survive. In 2019, the United States Grand Prix was the sixth best attended race of the year, with 268,000 fans passing through the turnstiles during the race weekend. In both 2021 and 2022, the event took the top spot as the best-attended race of the season.
Attendance declined at the event slightly in 2023. Dropping by 8,000 in total to 432,000. the United States Grand Prix was the third best-attended of the year, behind the British Grand Prix (480,000) and the Australian Grand Prix (445,000). There were multiple factors for the slight decline in attendance, including the fact that the title had already been won by Max Verstappen. Attendance figures have not been announced for the 2024 United States Grand Prix, which was won by Charles Leclerc for Ferrari, though most tickets were officially sold out in advance of race weekend.
How Much Does it Cost to Attend the 2025 United States Grand Prix?
Tickets are not yet on sale for the 2025 United States Grand Prix and ticket prices have not yet been published.
Grandstand tickets at the United States Grand Prix ranked among the most expensive F1 tickets of the 2024 season. On average, 3-day tickets are more expensive at only five other races – Britain, Monaco, Mexico and the other two Grands Prix in the USA in Miami and Las Vegas. However, you certainly get what you pay for at this circuit, with the excellent raised viewing areas on offer at COTA, as well as the extensive concert and entertainment schedule. In 2024, the race in Texas was the eighth most affordable for local fans, with tickets costing around 11% of the average monthly wage. We estimated that the average fan would pay around $1,800 USD for a trip to the 2024 United States Grand Prix, including 3-day grandstand seats, hotel accommodation for 3 nights and daily spending money. Budget Planner has a detailed breakdown about what you can expect to spend on a trip to COTA.
Getting to COTA
Circuit of The Americas offers a more traditional trackside set-up which you’d experience at many of the European races. There’s a free tram service to help you get around the outer-perimeter of the track – which can be helpful if you’re keen to experience the action from various vantage points. With large crowds expected (especially on Saturday and Sunday), we recommend getting to the circuit as early as possible, in order to avoid long queues and to secure the best vantage points, especially if you have General Admission tickets. Some of the best ways of getting to the circuit include affordable shuttle buses (tickets not yet on sale for 2025), taxi/ride-sharing or driving yourself. More information on transport options for the 2025 United States Grand Prix is available in Getting Around.
F1 Sprint & Support Races at the 2025 United States Grand Prix
The COTA race weekend usually features a good selection of other categories racing alongside Formula 1. In 2024, it included the Masters Historic series, the Masters Endurance Legends category and the Porsche Carrera Cup North America series, all of which will contested one race each on both Saturday and Sunday. The only support category already confirmed for the 2025 USGP at COTA is Porsche Carrera Cup North America.
For the third year in a row, Formula 1 will be running the Sprint weekend format at the 2025 United States Grand Prix, meaning that qualifying for the shorter Sprint race will take place on Friday. Saturday will see the Sprint itself take place in the morning, with the 20 drivers qualifying for the main Grand Prix in the afternoon. The Grand Prix follows as normal on Sunday afternoon from 14:00-16:00. More information on the expected 2025 United States Grand Prix weekend schedule, including session times, can be found in Trackside.
COTA Concerts & Off Track Events
One of the highlights of the weekend is COTA’s musical line-up. The circuit has secured big name acts in recent years and 2024 was no different, with both Eminem and Sting confirmed as headline performers. Sting appeared on the COTA Superstage on Friday evening, while Eminem performed on Saturday after qualifying. Further acts also performed at La Cantina and in the Fan Field across the race weekend as part of the American Soundtrack series.
Concert headliners have not yet been announced for the 2025 United States Grand Prix.
There’s always something happening in Austin in the days leading up to the Grand Prix. We’ve rounded up the biggest events taking place in the city, including the famous race after party, our Austin Event Guide (this post will be updated for 2025 closer to race weekend).
We are staying at a hotel near the airport. Would it be smarter to just Uber to COTA or Uber to downtown and catch the shuttle to COTA?
If you are near the airport, you should get an Uber. It will be quicker than going downtown and then back to the circuit.
I am general admission. Am I able to bring in a small picnic blanket or camping chair? Are purses okay?
Yes, should be fine. See the list of prohibited items here: http://www.circuitoftheamericas.com/faq
Bring in way more than advertised, I seen people with all kinda stuff walking straight thru the gate
First time going! Bought the Silver Turn 2 package and it includes all three days of races (practice, qualifying, and finals). Would it be terrible if I missed the Friday Practice 1 and 2? Just trying to sort out logistics and it seems much easier to fly in Friday than Thursday.
That’s totally up to you. Friday is normally quieter, but you still have 2 hours of F1 action. But of course it’s more important to be there on the weekend for qualifying and the race. You’d get better value from your tickets by going for all 3 days, but plenty of people only go for the weekend and still have a great time
Sibylle,
No, it wouldn’t be terrible, but 2019 was my first race at COTA, and I spent a good deal of time walking around exploring and choosing places to sit for my GA seating. I ventured over to the straight away to watch the cars go by at top speed and go to different turns and watch the cornering…it was awesome.
hi
just cancelled our flights and hotel as we cant come over due to border closures , absolutely gutted, im trying to sell my 3 day stand 19 tickets and so far no joy , the fact that f1 or cota wont offer a refund sucks :-(
Any ticket interest please email [email protected]
My first time at F1 – COTA with general admission. what is the best place to see the race with general admission?
Lots of great elevated views of the action in General Admission. Are you going for all three days? The best idea is to take a walk around on Friday and then decide which spot you like the most. You will then have to reserve it early for qualifying and the race, as there will be a lot more people there on the weekend.
I will be staying on the Zilker area, would you recommend I get the shuttle form the Barton mall or should I just uber directly to the Circuit?
Staying downtown for the F1 race and flying out at 8:00 PM after the race. Need to go direct to the airport after the race. What can I do with my luggage? Thanks.
I wouldn’t have recommended getting a flight so early on Sunday night, as it will be difficult to enjoy the end of the race and get to your flight on time. I’d say your best bet is to travel to the airport in the morning and use luggage facilities there.
I’m going to be in the stands at turn 9, do you know if we can bring a pad or bleacher seat to the track? I don’t see anything about it in the FAQ’S.
Yes, this shouldn’t be a problem
Hi, first time going. Flying in Sunday morning and hoping to just go straight to the track. All I will have is a backpack with some clothes. Is there a place to check the bag or store it somewhere either at the airport or at COTA?
Looking forward to it!
I’d suggest using luggage storage at the airport, I don’t think you can store it at the track. A quick internet search shows plenty of luggage storage options at Austin Airport.
If I have my Wristband do I need any other ticket to get into the track?
The final link in your post mentioning a round up of driver appearances and other events happening in Austin surrounding the F1 weekend does not work. I would be very interested to see that round-up, especially any planned driver appearances. So far I’m only aware of those happening at the Williams Pop-up shop and the ticketed Williams party at the ACL Moody Theatre. Would love to know of anything else!
It worked for me! Here’s the article: What’s happening in Austin on 2022 United States Grand Prix weekend?
I’m coming with my 14 y o son with a 3 day pass. Where should we stay to make it easist to use the shuttle bus? I was thinking of staying near the airport. Is there another hotel option within walking distance to one of the shuttle stops?
At this stage, you will probably have to take what you can in terms of accommodation. Almost everything will already be sold out. Near the airport should be ok but you will have to rely on ride sharing or taxis, so it will be more expensive. Otherwise if you want to take the COTA shuttle, you should stay either downtown or Northeast/Southwest, which is where the other shuttles depart from. More information here: https://f1destinations.com/getting-around-us-grand-prix/
I’m used to being able to rent radio headsets at COTA but Racing Electronics are not offering that for Austin F1. How best to listen to commentary? Is it broadcast on FM radio? 5G access to stream via F1 app is apparently a disaster due to demand!
You used to be able to listen to trackside radio on 104.9 or 105.3 FM, but not sure if this is still the case. Agreed that getting a good 5G signal at the track with so many other fans using the network is not something you can rely on. As for renting radio headseats, I wouldn’t be surprised if there is another operator who has signed a deal with COTA and will have booths offering this service around the track on race weekend.