USGP
Starter Pack
Everything you need for the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas, October 22 to 25, 2026. Tickets, schedule, how to get there, what to pack, where to watch, and how to not melt in the Texas sun. Built by Austin locals who do this every year.
Jump to
At a glance
If you read nothing else, read this.
Thu Oct 22 to Sun Oct 25
- Thursday is a new fan day
- F1 cars run Friday to Sunday
- Race starts Sunday at 3:00 PM CT
Circuit of The Americas
- 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd, southeast Austin, near the airport
- About 30 minutes from downtown on a normal day. Race weekend is not a normal day.
3-day GA is sold out
- Single-day GA, grandstand, Sunday and Thursday tickets were still on sale in late September
- Buy only from COTA or Ticketmaster if you want verified tickets
- Beware of scams, especially on social media
Plan your ride first
- Driving in? You need a pre-bought parking pass
- Shuttles are the easiest option
- Rideshare drops at the McAngus lot only
- Nearby private lots also sell parking. They are not official, so use your best judgment.
Max 12 × 12 × 20 in
- No outside food, drinks, coolers or glass
- Bring one empty water bottle, up to 32 oz
- Refill it free at water stations inside
Included with your ticket
- Friday: Maroon 5
- Saturday: Post Malone
- Sunday: Alesso, after the race
- Every race ticket gets you in
Weekend schedule
All times are Central Time. F1 sessions are highlighted. Support races, hot laps and fan events fill the gaps, so check the COTA app each morning for the full running order.
Grand PrixView Thursday is new for 2026. Tickets start around $20. It is the calmest day on property and the best day to shop merch before lines get long.
- F1 Academy on track and in the paddockThe all-women junior series runs alongside F1 this weekend.
- F1 Pit Lane WalkSee the garages up close before the teams lock down.
- Fan villages and first access to the F1 Fan ZoneGames, sims and team activations.
- Early merch shopping and COTALANDBeat the Saturday crowds at the team stores.
Gates are expected around 8:30 AM. Friday is great for walking the whole track and scouting GA spots for Sunday.
- BARTLY · Mariachi Voz de PasiónThe Ranch · La Cantina
- Restos · Grupo MorrosThe Ranch · La Cantina
- F1 Practice 1First time the cars hit the track. Loud. Bring earplugs.
- Jennifer Foster & the Audacity · Los AlcosThe Ranch · La Cantina
- F1 Practice 2Closest to race conditions. Teams run long stints here.
- Maroon 5Germania Insurance Super Stage
Gates are expected around 8:30 AM. Qualifying sets the grid for Sunday and is often the most exciting hour of the weekend.
- Monica Valli · Midnight NavyThe Ranch · La Cantina
- F1 Practice 3Last practice before qualifying.
- Mayeux & Broussard · Andrea DanielaThe Ranch · La Cantina
- F1 Qualifying (Q1, Q2, Q3)Three knockout rounds. Fastest in Q3 takes pole.
- Next of Kin · Carrie RodriguezThe Ranch · La Cantina
- Post MaloneGermania Insurance Super Stage
Gates are expected around 8:00 AM. This is the busiest day by far. The heaviest shuttle traffic is 9:30 AM to 12:15 PM, and the last shuttle to COTA leaves at 2:00 PM.
- LeTrainiump · lluviiThe Ranch · La Cantina
- Moving Panoramas · Sana Sana MusicaThe Ranch · La Cantina
- Drivers' parade, anthem and flyoverFind your spot early. The flyover is worth being in your seat for.
- Nakia & the Never Not Now · Gina ChavezThe Ranch · La Cantina
- THE UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX56 laps or 2 hours, whichever comes first. Usually about 1 hour 40 minutes.
- AlessoGermania Insurance Amphitheater
Tip: Gate times come from published race guides. COTA confirms final times in its app the week of the race. Parking lots usually open about 30 minutes before gates.
Tickets & wristbands
There are a few ticket types, and they work differently. Know which one you have before you leave home.
3-day GA grounds pass
This is a physical wristband mailed to you. Put it on before race day and keep it snug. Do not cut it off until Sunday night. A damaged or loose wristband may not scan.
Single-day GA
Lives on your phone in the Ticketmaster or COTA app. Add it to your phone wallet the night before. Cell signal near the gates gets weak when 100,000+ people arrive at once.
Grandstand seats
Also on your phone. Your seat gets you into that grandstand and every GA area on property, so you can still roam.
Grand PrixView Thursday
A separate low-cost ticket for Thursday only. Good for first-timers, families, or anyone who wants the pit lane walk and early merch.
Kids: Children 3 and older need their own F1 ticket. Scams: Reselling tickets on COTA property is banned. Avoid social media sellers. Buy from COTA or Ticketmaster only. Refunds: All sales are final.
Getting there
Getting in and out is the number one complaint at the USGP. Pick your plan early and book ahead. COTA Blvd is closed to everyone except permitted cars and buses.
| Option | Cost | Best for | Know this |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shuttle from Downtown (Waterloo Park) | $49+ | Anyone staying downtown or central | Drops at the front gate on a dedicated bus lane. CapMetro buses 2, 5, 7, 10 and 837 stop near Red River and 12th St. |
| Shuttle from Travis County Expo Center | $34+ | North and northeast Austin, people who want to drive part way | Cheapest official option. Same front gate drop-off. |
| Drive and park on site | ~$52+ | Groups, tailgaters, early arrivals | Pass must be bought in advance. Weekend passes are physical and mailed. Pick a lot near your seat. Plan 60 to 90 minutes to leave after the race. |
| Uber, Lyft, Waymo | Surge | Friday or Saturday, short visits | Drop-off and pickup is McAngus lot only. A free tram runs to the Grand Plaza. After the race, waits can hit 2+ hours with heavy surge pricing. |
Shuttle rules to remember
- First bus leaves about 1 hour before gates open.
- Last bus to COTA: 6:30 PM Fri and Sat, 2:00 PM Sunday.
- Return buses stop about 60 minutes after the music ends on Fri and Sat. They run all day Sunday.
- Swap your mobile pass for a color-coded wristband at the pickup site. Match the color to your line when you head home.
- Kids 3 and under ride free. Max 8 passes per order.
- Walk-up passes are not guaranteed. Buy ahead.
ATXGPC local tips
- Sunday: arrive early, leave late. Get there before 10 AM. After the flag, grab food, catch Alesso, and let traffic clear.
- Screenshot everything. Parking pass, shuttle pass, tickets, meet-up spot. Signal drops near the gates.
- Pick a meet-up spot with your group, like a turn number or a big sign. Phones die and texts stall.
- Wear real shoes. Lots and drop-offs can be a 20 to 45 minute walk from your spot. Most people walk 8 to 12+ miles a day.
What to pack
Tap to check items off. Your list saves on this device.
Must have
Sun & comfort
GA upgrades
Bag rules & banned items
Banned items at the gate are not held for you. Leave them in the car or at home.
Allowed
- Bags up to 12 × 12 × 20 in. Backpacks are fine.
- One empty water bottle, 32 oz or less, not glass
- Empty CamelBak
- Collapsible chairs and blankets
- Collapsible wagons in GA areas, and strollers
- Small hand-held umbrellas
- Sunscreen in plastic bottles, no aerosol
- Binoculars and personal cameras
- Signs up to 11 × 17 in, not on a stick
- Medical items after inspection
Not allowed
- Outside food and drinks, including alcohol
- Coolers, thermoses and ice chests
- Glass of any kind
- Tents, canopies and non-folding chairs
- Tripods, monopods, telephoto lenses, pro video gear
- Drones, anywhere on property
- Pets. Only trained service animals.
- Bikes, scooters, skateboards and hoverboards
- Vape juice, weapons and illegal drugs
- Horns, whistles, balls, frisbees, laser pointers
Concert pit upgrade? The Super Stage floor and loge areas are stricter: only a clear tote up to 12 × 12 × 6 in, a clear 1-gallon bag, or a small clutch up to 4.5 × 6.5 in. Lockers are at the entrance. Leaving and coming back? Re-entry is allowed. Scan your ticket on the way out and expect security again.
Where to watch
Every ticket gets you into the GA grass areas. GA is first come, first served, so the best spots on Sunday go early. Here are the areas locals love.
Turn 1 hill
The steep climb from the start line into a blind left. You see the start, the dive into Turn 1, and lots of first-lap drama. It is the busiest GA area, so claim space early. Big hill means big legs.
The Esses (Turns 3 to 6)
Fast left-right-left sweepers. The best place to see how much grip an F1 car has. Less of a crowd than Turn 1.
Turn 11 and Turn 12
Two big braking zones at each end of the long back straight. This is where most passes happen. Turn 12 also has a grandstand with accessible seating.
The stadium section (Turns 13 to 16)
Slow, twisty corners near the COTA tower and Super Stage. You can see a lot of track at once and stay close to the music and food.
Turns 17 to 20
Final corners with more room to spread out. Good for families and anyone who wants shade breaks.
COTA observation tower
251 feet up with a view of almost the whole track. Extra ticket required. Lines build fast, so go early.
ATXGPC tip: Spend Friday walking the full loop. It takes about an hour. By Sunday you will know exactly where you want to be and how long it takes to get there.
Food, drink & staying cool
Food
Lots of choices: BBQ, Tex-Mex, pizza, Thai, wraps, and vegan and vegetarian options, plus local food trucks. Use the COTA app to find the closest stand. Eat before you are starving. Lines peak around lunch and right after sessions.
Drinks
You must be 21+. There is a limit of 2 drinks per person, per ID, per purchase. Alcohol sales end about 30 minutes before events close. Pace yourself with water in between.
Water stations
Free refills at Turn 1 (by the restrooms), Turn 3, the Main Grandstand and the Grand Plaza (by the restrooms). Refill every time you pass one.
Texas in late October is still hot. The forecast may say low 80s, but with all the concrete it often feels like 90 to 100°F during the day. Nights usually stay in the 70s or 80s, unless you get lucky with a cool front. The sun is strong and there is little shade in GA. Drink water all day, wear sunscreen, and take breaks. If you feel dizzy or sick, find a staff member or First Aid right away.
Pro tip: Most Guest Services booths have free sunscreen you can put on. Supplies can run low, so bring your own too.
Stay cool: A cooling bandana is one of the best things you can bring. Soak it in water, wring it out, and wear it around your neck. ATXGPC will have cooling bandanas for sale at our events and partner events all race week. You can also find them online.
Music lineup
Every race ticket includes the headline shows. Floor and loge upgrades cost extra. Local Austin and Texas acts play The Ranch and La Cantina stages all weekend.
Maroon 5
Germania Insurance Super Stage, after F1 running ends.
Post Malone
Germania Insurance Super Stage, after qualifying.
Alesso
Germania Insurance Amphitheater, right after the race. A great way to skip the traffic rush.
| Day | The Ranch | La Cantina |
|---|---|---|
| Fri 10:15 AM | BARTLY | Mariachi Voz de Pasión |
| Fri 11:30 AM | Restos | Grupo Morros |
| Fri 2:30 PM | Jennifer Foster & the Audacity | Los Alcos |
| Sat 10:30 AM | Monica Valli | Midnight Navy |
| Sat 1:45 PM | Mayeux & Broussard | Andrea Daniela |
| Sat 5:15 PM | Next of Kin | Carrie Rodriguez |
| Sun 10:00 AM | LeTrainiump | lluvii |
| Sun 12:30 PM | Moving Panoramas | Sana Sana Musica |
| Sun 1:45 PM | Nakia & the Never Not Now | Gina Chavez |
F1 101
You do not need to know anything to have a great time. But a few basics make the weekend a lot more fun.
How the weekend works
- Practice (FP1, FP2, FP3): Teams test setups. Times do not count for anything.
- Qualifying: Three knockout rounds. The slowest cars drop out in Q1 and Q2. The fastest lap in Q3 wins pole position.
- The race: Drivers start in qualifying order. Points go to the top 10 finishers. Each driver must use at least two different tire types unless it rains.
What is new in 2026
- All-new cars and engines. Cars are smaller and lighter. Engines split power about half and half between gas and electric, and run on sustainable fuel.
- DRS is gone. Wings now move on the straights for every car. A driver close behind gets an extra electric boost to help pass.
- 11 teams. Cadillac joined as a new American team, and Audi took over from Sauber.
Flags you will see
Words you will hear
- Pole position
- First place on the starting grid.
- Pit stop
- A stop to change tires. A good one takes under 3 seconds.
- Undercut
- Pitting before a rival to gain time on fresh tires.
- Soft, medium, hard
- Tire types. Red, yellow and white stripes. Softer is faster but wears out sooner.
- Box, box
- Radio call telling a driver to pit this lap.
- Parc fermé
- After qualifying, teams cannot change the car's setup.
- Track limits
- All four wheels past the white line can cost a driver a lap time or a penalty.
- Fastest lap
- The quickest single lap of the race.
Help, safety & access
Need help fast?
For emergencies, call 911. For anything else, text COTA plus your question and location to 69050, or find any staff member.
Key numbers
Ticketing: (512) 655-6300
General info: (512) 301-6600
Car won't start: (512) 655-6220
Free jump-starts up to 1 hour after events.
First aid & box offices
First Aid is at the Grand Plaza, Main Grandstand and the Paddock Medical Center. Box offices are at the Grand Plaza and Main Grandstand.
Accessibility
Accessible seating at Main Grandstand, Turn 12 and Turn 15. Accessible parking in Lots A, D and H with a placard. Text COTA to 69050 for an accessible shuttle. ADA golf carts are at tents near shuttle stops.
Families
Nursing rooms at the Main Grandstand, Grand Plaza, Turn 1 and Turn 3. Sensory rooms in the Grand Plaza. Changing tables in the Main Grandstand and Grand Plaza restrooms. Report a lost child to any staff member.
Lost something?
Check Guest Services tents between the Main Entry gates and the Grand Plaza. You can also file a claim online. Items are held for 14 days.
Weather: Races go on rain or shine. If lightning is nearby, COTA will post shelter info on the screens and speakers. Follow COTA on social media for updates.
FAQ
Is it worth going Friday and Saturday, or just Sunday?
Can I bring my own food or water?
Can I leave and come back?
Is cash accepted?
Can I bring my kids?
Do I need a grandstand seat to see the concerts?
My 3-day wristband came loose. What do I do?
What should I wear?
Race week with ATXGPC
ATX Grand Prix Club is Austin's F1, car culture and creative lifestyle community. We host watch parties all season and show up big for race week. Here is how to find us.
Race week events
Watch parties, meetups and pop-ups all race week. Come hang with Austin's F1 fans before and after the track.
Get the newsletter
Race week plans, watch parties and Garage Gossip, straight to your inbox. Fill out our member form to join.
Rep the club
Wear ATXGPC to COTA. Order yours online, with local pickup the week before and the week of race weekend. We will also sell cooling bandanas at our events all week.
Sources. Details come from official COTA pages and published race guides, checked September 26, 2026. COTA can change policies, times and prices at any time, so confirm in the COTA app before you go.