Round 18 · 2026
Circuit of the Americas
Austin, United States · 23 Oct–25 Oct, 2026
The 2026 United States Grand Prix has finished. The 2027 dates appear here as soon as F1 publishes next season's calendar; the travel guide below stays useful for next year.
By the F1 Weekend team · Experiences and prices refreshed · Sources: Formula 1 timetable (Jolpica F1 API); GetYourGuide, Viator and Tiqets listings
COTA stands for Circuit of the Americas, the purpose-built track that hosts the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix. It sits in Elroy, Texas, about 24 km (15 miles) south-east of downtown Austin and roughly 15 minutes by car from Austin-Bergstrom airport. The 2026 race weekend is 23–25 October 2026.
The 2026 United States Grand Prix starts on Sunday 25 October at 15:00 Austin time (CDT). Qualifying is on Saturday at 16:00. Aim to be at the circuit about two hours early for security and the support races. Our schedule page lists every session, in track time and in your own time zone.
The Circuit of the Americas is 5.513 km (3.426 miles) long with 20 corners, and the Grand Prix runs 56 laps, about 308 km. Its signature is the steep 41-metre climb to Turn 1, which is also where most overtaking attempts happen at the start.
Turn 1 is the classic spot: you see the start, the uphill braking zone and most of the overtaking. The Main Grandstand faces the start-finish straight and the pit lane, while the stadium section around Turns 12 to 15 gives slow corners and a big screen. General admission covers the grassy banks around the lap.
There is no train to the circuit. Most fans take the official race shuttles from downtown Austin, booked in advance on the circuit’s website, which take about 45 minutes; others use a pre-booked rideshare drop-off or drive to the official car parks. On Saturday and Sunday allow extra time: the roads into Elroy back up before and after the sessions.
Downtown Austin is the most practical base: the race shuttles leave from there, and the evenings are easy with live music on Sixth Street and Rainey Street. South Congress and East Austin are good alternatives. Hotels by the airport are closest to the circuit but quiet at night. Prices rise sharply for race weekend, so book early.
Mornings before the sessions and evenings after them are free: Barton Springs, a barbecue lunch, the Texas State Capitol and live music downtown all fit. Right now the best-reviewed bookings that fit around the sessions are Best of Austin Small-Group Driving Tour with Local Guide and Austin Biker Gang E-Bike Tour.
Weekend Schedule
All sessions, times & timetable
Experiences
Curated activities for every session gap
Getting There
Transport, parking & gate times
Tips & FAQ
Weather, budget, tips & FAQ
Plan my weekend
Your sessions + things to do around them
Round 18 runs 23 Oct–25 Oct. Most fans stay in Austin. We list 180 bookable experiences around the circuit, sorted by race-weekend travel time.
Race weekend
Circuit of the Americas
Friday · 23 Oct
Saturday · 24 Oct
Sunday · 25 Oct
Everything on a map around Circuit of the Americas
177 in the city · 3 day trips
2 sites compared2 h
Fits Fri before FP1 12:30
★ 4.9 (2,737 reviews)
FromUS$49Lowest
on GetYourGuideAlso on
2 sites compared1.5 h
Fits Fri before FP1 12:30
★ 5.0 (1,473 reviews)
FromUS$85Lowest
on ViatorAlso on
3 h
Fits Fri before FP1 12:30
★ 4.9 (1,034 reviews)
FromUS$69
on Viator
2 sites compared2 h
Fits Fri before FP1 12:30
★ 4.9 (463 reviews)
FromUS$29Lowest
on GetYourGuideAlso on
Austin, Texas, is a city that truly comes alive during the United States Grand Prix weekend. Known as the 'Live Music Capital of the World,' it offers a unique blend of high-octane racing and soulful Southern hospitality. Visitors can explore the legendary Sixth Street for its endless array of live music venues, dive into the world-famous BBQ scene at spots like Franklin or Terry Black's, and enjoy the scenic beauty of Lady Bird Lake. The Circuit of the Americas (COTA) is a world-class facility that provides some of the best viewing angles in F1, especially the steep climb to Turn 1. Beyond the track, the city's youthful, eclectic vibe ensures that the party continues long after the checkered flag. Whether you're a die-hard F1 fan or just looking for an unforgettable weekend, Austin's mix of tech-hub innovation and 'Keep Austin Weird' charm makes it a top-tier destination for any traveler.
Round
18 of 24
Dates
23 Oct–25 Oct
Circuit
Circuit of the Americas
City
Austin, US
Turns
20
Lap Record
1:36.169 (Charles Leclerc, 2019)
Circuit Length
5.513 km