October 22–25, 2026 | Elroy, TX
Formula 1 is coming back to Austin, and if you've never been to a race weekend at COTA before, you're in for way more than just cars going fast. Between the track, the theme park, the concerts, and everything else packed onto the grounds, F1 weekend has basically turned into a full-blown festival. Here's what to expect.
Getting Tickets
Tickets go through the official COTA site: circuitoftheamericas.com/event/f1. Grandstand seats, general admission, and hospitality packages all sell out fast, so don't wait until the week of the race to figure out where you're sitting.
Where to Stay
COTA sits southeast of downtown, so where you post up changes your whole weekend:
- Downtown / Rainey Street — closest to the nightlife and restaurants if you want to be in the middle of everything after the race
- South Congress — walkable, full of good food, and gives you that classic Austin feel
- East Austin — a mix of new and old Austin, still close to downtown
- Near the airport — the most practical pick if you just want an easy drive to COTA without downtown traffic
- Westlake — if you want a more upscale, low-key stay, this area west of Zilker Park has a quieter, luxury feel while still being a short drive from downtown
Book early. Hotel prices in Austin spike hard during F1 weekend.
Transportation
- Driving: COTA has on-site parking, but traffic gets heavy leaving the track. Give yourself extra time, especially after the race.
- Rideshare: Uber and Lyft both run near COTA, but expect surge pricing and long waits once the race lets out.
- Shuttles: COTA runs official shuttles from a few pickup spots around Austin — worth it if you don't want to deal with parking at all.
COTALAND
If you're bringing people who couldn't care less about lap times, COTALAND is where they'll want to camp out. It's the on-site amusement park, and it's got a real lineup now, not just a couple of rides bolted onto the paddock:
- The Hot Lap — a roller coaster themed around, well, exactly what it sounds like
- T20 eatery — food named after the track's most famous corner
- Karting, mini golf, and a zip line — good for burning a few hours between practice sessions
It's a solid way to stretch a one-day race ticket into a whole weekend, especially if you've got kids or a friend group that splits between "watch every session" and "just here for the vibes."
The Concerts
COTA's amphitheater is one of the biggest outdoor venues in Austin, and F1 weekend brings a headliner every night:
- Friday: Maroon 5
- Saturday: Post Malone
- Sunday: Alesso
All 2026 race ticket holders get concert access included, so you're not paying twice to see the show after the checkered flag. (COTA's amphitheater also runs a full concert season outside of F1 weekend, so if you're free other times this year, keep an eye out — Dirty Heads and 311, Jack Johnson, and MUSE have all played there in 2026.)
Bike Nights
Not an F1-only thing, but worth knowing about if you're a rider: COTA hosts Bike Nights throughout the year, where the track opens up for motorcycles to roll through. Good excuse to come back even when there's no race on the calendar.
Driving Experiences
Want to actually get on the track yourself? COTA runs driving experience programs where you can get behind the wheel of a performance car and take laps on the same circuit F1 drivers race on. It's not cheap, but it's the closest most of us will ever get to knowing what Turn 1's uphill blind corner actually feels like at speed.
What to Bring
- Sunscreen and a hat — you'll be out in the Texas sun most of the day
- Comfortable shoes, since you'll walk a lot between the track, COTALAND, and the amphitheater
- A reusable water bottle (refill stations are set up around the grounds)
- A portable charger
- Ear protection, especially for kids
COTA is cashless, so bring a card or your phone, not cash.
Bottom Line
F1 at COTA isn't just a race anymore — it's a weekend. Get your tickets early, plan for the amphitheater shows, and leave room in your schedule for COTALAND if you're bringing people who need more than four hours of racing to stay entertained.
