Formula 1 lands in Texas for the 19th round of the 2024 season. Here’s everything you need to know about attending the 2024 United States Grand Prix at COTA on October 18-20!
- The 2024 United States Grand Prix is set to take place on October 18-20
- This post will be fully updated for 2024 6-8 weeks before the 2024 United States Grand Prix weekend. Information below relates to the 2023 event and should be used for reference only
- This post contains affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links
Formula 1 seems to have finally found a stable stateside home at the Circuit of The Americas. This will be the eleventh 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. While the highly-anticipated inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix is set to take place just under a month after the 2023 United States Grand Prix, the inaugural Miami Grand Prix took place in 2022. 2023 is the first time in over 40 years, since 1982, that the United States will stage three races in a single season.
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 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 last year, to 440,000, making the United States Grand Prix the best-attended race of the 2022 season. Attendance is expected to be at a similar level for the 2023 United States Grand Prix.
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.
Heading to COTA for the first time? All the essential travel information you need is in Travel Basics.
High Attendance Expected at the 2023 United States Grand Prix
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 the last two years, the event has taken the top spot as the best-attended race of the season.
The 2023 United States Grand Prix may well set yet another new record, with demand meaning that the vast majority of tickets are already sold out. Limited numbers of grandstand and general admission tickets remain available if you are yet to secure tickets for the 2023 United States Grand Prix. Ticket packages from F1 Experiences, F1’s official ticket package partner, are also available.
How Much Will a Trip to the 2023 United States Grand Prix Cost?
Grandstand tickets at the United States Grand Prix rank among the most expensive of the season. On average, 3-day tickets are more expensive at only four races – 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 2023, the race in Texas is the eighth most affordable for local fans, with tickets costing around 9% of the average monthly wage.
We estimate that the average fan will spend around $2,000 USD on a trip to the 2023 United States Grand Prix, including 3-day grandstand seats, hotel accommodation for 3 nights, plus daily spending money. Check out our Budget Planner for the lowdown on what you can expect to spend on a trip to the United States Grand Prix!
Getting to the Circuit
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 bus 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 high demand for tickets, 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 three affordable shuttle bus options, taxi/ride-sharing or driving yourself. More information on transport for the 2023 United States Grand Prix is available in our Getting Around Guide.
Support Races at the 2023 United States Grand Prix
There’ll be three support categories racing alongside Formula 1 over the 2023 United States Grand Prix weekend. Legendary cars will take to the track in two races in the Masters Historic series, while stars of the Porsche Carrera Cup North America series will also be entertaining the crowds. In addition, Formula 1’s new all-female junior series F1 Academy will race at COTA. There’ll be three F1 Academy races taking place over the weekend, with COTA hosting the season finale of the series’ inaugural year.
Formula 1 will be utilising its Sprint weekend format at the 2023 United States Grand Prix, meaning that qualifying for Sunday’s race will take place on Friday. Saturday will be dedicated to the Sprint event, with the 20 drivers qualifying in the Sprint Shootout on Saturday lunchtime, before the Sprint race itself takes place on Saturday evening. The Grand Prix follows as normal on Sunday.
Off Track Entertainment
One of the highlights of the weekend is COTA’s musical line-up. The circuit has secured big name acts in recent years and 2023 is no different, with both The Killers and Queen + Adam Lambert confirmed as headline performers.
The Killers will take to the COTA Superstage on Friday evening, while Queen + Adam Lambert will perform on Saturday. Over 20 further acts will be performing at La Cantina and in the Fan Field across the race weekend. There’ll be plenty more happening in Austin in the days leading up to the Grand Prix, from driver appearances to superstar performances and Formula 1-themed fashion shows. We’ve rounded up the best events to attend here.
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
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.