Trackside at COTA – 2026 United States Grand Prix

Entrance gates, on-track schedule and concert information for F1 fans attending the 2026 United States Grand Prix at COTA

F1 Experiences / Austin Hotels / COTA Facebook group

The 2026 United States Grand Prix will be held from October 23-25

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COTA rates highly for the quality of its trackside experience, though the circuit’s shortcomings were highlighted in 2015 when it was hit by a freak storm with strong wind and heavy rain on Grand Prix weekend.  There are lots of nice grassy banks at COTA in the general admission areas, but cover from the elements (sun/rain) is limited, so keep this in mind when you are getting ready for your day at the track. As with any such circuit, it’s a good idea to wear comfortable shoes as you’ll be covering a lot of ground on foot. In recent seasons, COTA has been one of the best attended races of the season. The organizers have responded to increased demand for tickets by constructing new grandstands and improving the fan experience in recent years, including more shuttles, better parking organization and more trackside concessions. However, you can still expect large queues at peak times.

Going to COTA: Need to Know

Download the COTA App: Search for “Circuit of The Americas” in your app store (IOS/Android). The COTA app has maps, FAQs, on-track/concert schedules, live commentary & more

Circuit Entry: Remember that you cannot bring any food or drink (aside from one sealed plastic bottle) into the circuit. Alcohol cannot be brought into the circuit, neither can glass or metal containers of any type. Check the Venue Policies (Prohibited Items). The full list of allowed and prohibited items is published at the end of this post, and are subject to confirmation for 2026. If you have General Admission tickets, bringing a collapsible camping chair is a good idea. All spectators are subject to a search upon entry to COTA. Re-entry is permitted to the circuit, but you must remember to scan your ticket out when leaving the venue.

Money: COTA is a cashless venue and ATMs are not available on site. You can pay for everything at the track using your card

Circuit Opening Times: The parking lots next to the track open at 07:30 on race weekend (Friday to Sunday), while the circuit gates are open each day from 08:00. Headline concert and gate closing times have not yet been published (TBC for 2026)

Post-Race Track Invasion Entry Points: Turn 1, Turn 2, Main Grandstand East, Main Grandstand West and Turn 19.

COTA Parking, Access & Orientation

How to Get to COTA: The COTA shuttle service is recommended. Tickets normally go on sale around three months in advance of race weekend. Learn More: How to Get to COTA

Trackside Parking : Parking is available in lots right next to the circuit (walking distance) and also in Park & Ride lots near the circuit, which include shuttle transfer. Parking lots open at 08:00 Friday and Saturday, and from 07:30 on Sunday. Parking passes will soon be available via COTA

Entrance Gates: COTA has five entrance gates: Main Grand Stand, Grand Plaza, Turn 1, Gate 4 and Turn 11 East.

COTA Tram: Once inside, you can also take advantage of a free internal tram service to take you from one side of the circuit to the other; one shuttle stops at Grand Plaza Lot B, Main Grandstand, and Lot T near Turn 1), whilst a second shuttle stops at Grand Plaza Lot D, Tunnel 2 exit, and Lot H turnaround. COTA tram route map

2026 United States Grand Prix Schedule

On-Track Schedule: The full on-track timetable for the 2026 United States Grand Prix will not be confirmed by Formula 1 until around six weeks before race weekend. F1 session times for 2026 are confirmed and listed below. (View the 2025 United States Grand Prix schedule here.)

Sprint Race: COTA will not host an F1 Sprint race weekend in 2026.

Support Categories: F1 Academy will race at COTA in 2026 for the first time since 2023, and will be joined by Porsche Carrera Cup North America, which will host the final round of its season.

Pit Lane Walk: This hasn’t been held for regular ticket holders in recent years. F1 Experiences does stage a pit lane walk on Thursday afternoon/evening for selected guests. In addition, pit lane walks are available for guests of the F1 Paddock Club on Friday, Saturday & Sunday.

Driver Appearances at COTA: Autograph sessions are no longer held at the USGP, but the F1 drivers and team principals do make appearances on the Germania Insurance Amphitheater on Friday and Saturday morning. The schedule for 2026 driver appearances will be confirmed closer to race week.

Post-Race Track Walk: After the race on Sunday, fans are able to go on to the track to enjoy the podium ceremony, but only on the main straight between Turns 1 and Turn 19. Entry points are as follows: Turn 1, Turn 2, Main Grandstand East, Main Grandstand West & Turn 19.

Friday, October 23

08:00 Gates Open (TBC)

12:30-13:30: Formula 1 – Free Practice 1 (FP1)

16:30-17:30: Formula 1 – Free Practice 2 (FP2)

Saturday, October 24

08:00 Gates Open (TBC)

12:30-13:30: Formula 1 – Free Practice 3 (FP3)

16:00-17:00: Formula 1 Qualifying

Sunday, October 25

08:00 Gates Open (TBC)

13:00-13:30: F1 Drivers’ Parade

14:44-14:46: National Anthem

14:46-14:47: Air Display – Fly Past

15:00-17:00: Formula 1 MSC Cruises United States Grand Prix 2026 (56 laps or 2 hours)

United States Grand Prix Concerts

COTA attracts a world class musical line up, with the likes of Taylor Swift, Queen, The Killers, Eminem Stevie Wonder and Billy Joel having headlined in previous years (learn more here). The confirmed headline performers at the 2026 United States Grand Prix are Post Malone and Maroon 5. Headline performances take place on Friday and Saturday at the Germania Insurance Superstage on the infield of COTA near Turns 10-11. The gates to the concert area open around 90 minutes after the end of the day’s track action on Friday and Saturday. All F1 ticket holders receive free entry to the concerts. ‘Golden Circle’ upgrades that give you access closer to the stage are also available

There’s also an after-race concert (2026 headliner not yet confirmed) that takes place at the Germania Insurance Ampitheater in the Fanzone, near the Grand Plaza and close to Turns 18-19. A whole host of additional performances take place across the weekend on various stages at COTA. The full 2026 concert line will be available closer to race weekend.

Food, Drink & Facilities at COTA

The trackside food and drink offer at Circuit of the Americas is varied and decent, but the prices are very high. Expect to pay $8-10 for a beer and $15-25 for meals. Food on offer includes everything from standard American fare (hot dogs, hamburgers etc) to pizza, Mexican and some more interesting food trucks. 

There’s plenty of restrooms around the circuit. Permanent facilities are located next to several grandstands (Main, Turn 1 and Turn 15) and inside the Austin360 Amphitheater. All the other facilities are temporary. Free water refill stations are located at the following areas inside COTA: Turn 1 (near restrooms), Turn 4/5 (near entrance gate), Main Grandstand, Grand Plaza (near restrooms)

Observation Tower at COTA

Check out the panoramic views from the Observation Tower. Tickets are available for $35 from the base of the tower on Grand Prix weekend. Opening hours during the last United States Grand Prix are listed below.TBC for 2026.

Friday: 08:00-09:15, 14:30-18:00

Saturday: 10:30-13:30, 15:00-18:30

Sunday: 12:00-18:00

Allowed Items @ COTA

The following items are permitted within the gates at COTA (TBC for 2026): Baby Strollers, Binoculars, Blankets, Camelbacks (must be empty), One 20oz factory sealed water bottle per guest, Personal camera equipment (e.q. digital cameras, detachable lenses, point-and-click digital cameras) – Note that tripods, bipods, and monopods will not be permitted, Portable, collapsible chairs, Sunscreen (plastic bottle only, no aerosol cans), Umbrellas (small, hand-held style)

Prohibited Items @ COTA

Guests are prohibited from bringing the following items within the gates at COTA on race weekend (TBC for 2026): Weapons, including guns, knives, pepper spray, handcuffs, and nightsticks, Explosives, including fireworks, flares, or other incendiary devices, Drones, Animals or pets (exception of service dogs), Food and beverages including alcoholic beverages, Unauthorized transportation, including bicycles, scooters, skateboards, Segways, golf carts, skates, and hoverboards, Illegal substances, including illegal drugs and marijuana, Bags larger than 12″ X 12″ X 20″, Coolers, thermoses, or ice chests, Metal water bottles, Glass containers, E-liquid or vape juice, Safety hazards or annoyances, including balls, Frisbees, balloons, projectiles, horns, radios, bells, whistles, musical instruments, and laser pointers, Non-collapsible chairs, Tents or canopies, Unauthorized promotional or commercial material, including merchandise, Signs or posters larger than 11″ X 17″ or attached to a pole (Signs and posters may not contain obscene or offensive language or images), Inappropriate or overly revealing attire, Items used to block views or interfere with guests’ experience