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Austin F1 Guide 2026:
Schedule, Tickets, Hotels & Circuit
Choose your seats and stay. Discover Austin, then build your race weekend.Plan your whole race weekend.23–25 October 2026Race day:
Your trip planner
Plan your budget & race weekend.
Choose your travel dates, grandstand preference and budget to plan your Austin race weekend.
Race-ready.
Austin The essentials
Race dates
Photo by HoverVan · CC BY-SA 4.023–25 Oct 2026
Race weekendPractice Friday, qualifying Saturday, race Sunday at 15:00.
Explore race datesAustin Your weekend, your way
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your weekend.
Choose your seat. Find your stay. Plan the days around the race.
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Hotels & bases
Downtown vs East Austin hotels
Find your stayTransit & shuttles
Shuttles, parking & return travel
Plan your journeySession schedule
Track timetable & race-week concerts
View the schedule
Austin culture
World-class BBQ, honky-tonks & springs
Explore the city
Breakfast to evening
Find your Austin food and drink stops
Explore the guide
Fan zones & access
Motorsport experiences and the fan diary
Explore the guideTent & RV stays
Stay at COTA for the race weekend
Explore the guideFour or seven nights
Build your Austin race weekend
Explore the guide
Local & extended stays
Add Austin and Hill Country days
Explore the guideInside the Austin guide
From blind uphill apexes to Austin’s legendary honky-tonk nights.
Plan your Austin hotel and daily journey to Circuit of the Americas together. Choose between the Turn 1 climb, back-straight braking and stadium-section views, then leave time for concerts, barbecue and live music around the racing.
Circuit of the Americas is one of modern Formula 1’s greatest purpose-built tracks. Built across the rolling terrain southeast of Austin, the circuit’s signature feature is its steep 133-foot climb from the start line straight up into the blind apex of Turn 1, followed by high-speed flowing esses inspired by Silverstone’s Maggotts-Becketts and a technical stadium arena at Turn 15.
Plan both directions of your circuit journey. Official shuttle departures, parking and rideshare use different arrival points; follow your pass instructions and allow extra time for traffic, security and the walk to your viewing area.
Choose your hotel around the COTA shuttle departure you plan to use. East Austin and South Congress offer restaurants and nightlife; book your return transport before heading to the circuit.
Driver diary 2026
Plan city fan events, Thursday circuit access and Sunday’s driver parade and track walk from 19–25 October. All times are local to Austin.
Times in Austin.
Williams Fan ZoneShow car, simulators and team activities. Venue opening hours are separate from Alex Albon and James Vowles appearances, whose dates and times are still to be announced. Competitions have separate terms and do not guarantee a meeting.11:00–19:00
Access: Free; Williams app download and registration required.
Location: Downtown · 800 Congress, 800 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
Getting there: Head to 800 Congress Avenue in Downtown Austin and follow fan-zone entry signs. Arrange accessible entry with the organiser if needed. A COTA shuttle ticket does not include a transfer to this venue.
Williams Fan ZoneShow car, simulators and team activities. Venue opening hours are separate from Alex Albon and James Vowles appearances, whose dates and times are still to be announced. Competitions have separate terms and do not guarantee a meeting.11:00–19:00
Access: Free; Williams app download and registration required.
Location: Downtown · 800 Congress, 800 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
Getting there: Head to 800 Congress Avenue in Downtown Austin and follow fan-zone entry signs. Arrange accessible entry with the organiser if needed. A COTA shuttle ticket does not include a transfer to this venue.
Alex Albon · Duracell Power PaddockAlbon is announced for the Wednesday event; his appearance time is to be announced. The 12:00–20:00 opening window is not his appointment.Time to be confirmed
Drivers: Alexander Albon
Access: Follow Duracell’s entry arrangements; no guaranteed meeting.
Location: Downtown · Brazos Hall, 204 E 4th Street, Austin, TX 78701
Getting there: Go to Brazos Hall at Fourth and Brazos and follow the Power Paddock signs. The venue advertises a ground-level loading area and accessible lift; contact the organiser for the guest entrance and access to the specific activities. Use a Downtown walk, local transit connection or legal nearby drop-off.
Williams Fan ZoneShow car, simulators and team activities. Venue opening hours are separate from Alex Albon and James Vowles appearances, whose dates and times are still to be announced. Competitions have separate terms and do not guarantee a meeting.11:00–19:00
Access: Free; Williams app download and registration required.
Location: Downtown · 800 Congress, 800 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
Getting there: Head to 800 Congress Avenue in Downtown Austin and follow fan-zone entry signs. Arrange accessible entry with the organiser if needed. A COTA shuttle ticket does not include a transfer to this venue.
Duracell Power PaddockRC racing, live music and interactive challenges at Brazos Hall. Albon’s special appearance has no published time.12:00–20:00
Access: Use Duracell’s event entry arrangements and participation conditions.
Location: Downtown, 204 E 4th Street, Austin, TX 78701
Getting there: Go to Brazos Hall at Fourth and Brazos and follow the Power Paddock signs. The venue advertises a ground-level loading area and accessible lift; contact the organiser for the guest entrance and access to the specific activities. Use a Downtown walk, local transit connection or legal nearby drop-off.
Road to the Race · car showcase and charity auctionSee display cars and supercars, try simulators and attend the charity auction. Driver attendance is not announced. A ticket giveaway is a competition, not included Grand Prix admission.17:00–21:30
Access: Separate ticket required for every guest. Food and drink cost extra for General Admission; check VIP inclusions and current prices with the organiser. Cocktail or upscale evening attire.
Location: South bank · Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive, Austin, TX 78704
Getting there: Use 701 W. Riverside Drive and the entry instructions on your event ticket. Riverside construction restrictions may change phase on 21 October: check the venue’s current road notice before driving. The venue recommends the Palmer Events Center garage entrance on Barton Springs Road at 900 Barton Springs Road during construction; its normal cashless price is USD 12 unless event rates are posted. Follow event instructions for any permitted Circular Drive pickup. For step-free entry, contact Guest Services about the ground-floor entrance left of the Grand Staircase, lifts and your event route; no event-wide access guarantee is implied.
Alex Albon · Williams live Q&AHear Alex Albon in a live Williams Fan Zone Q&A. End time is not published; capacity is limited.17:25
Drivers: Alexander Albon
Access: Free with Williams app registration; no guaranteed autograph or individual meeting.
Location: Downtown · 800 Congress, 800 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
Getting there: Head to 800 Congress Avenue in Downtown Austin and follow fan-zone entry signs. Arrange accessible entry with the organiser if needed. A COTA shuttle ticket does not include a transfer to this venue.
Mercedes Fan Hub · free city experienceTry simulators and a pit-stop challenge, see the show car and team memorabilia. Opening hours and entry arrangements to be confirmed; no driver appointment announced.Time to be confirmed
Access: Free entry; food, drinks and merchandise separate. Confirm opening times, registration and age requirements before travel.
Location: Downtown · 400 Congress, 400 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
Getting there: Head to 400 Congress Avenue and follow the temporary Fan Hub signs. This is the surface event site, not the Frost Bank building at 401 Congress. Arrange a legal nearby pickup separately. Confirm the accessible entrance and simulator/pit-stop participation with the organiser; a standard parking listing does not establish event access or parking.
Williams Fan ZoneShow car, simulators and team activities. Venue opening hours are separate from Alex Albon and James Vowles appearances, whose dates and times are still to be announced. Competitions have separate terms and do not guarantee a meeting.10:00–19:00
Access: Free; Williams app download and registration required.
Location: Downtown · 800 Congress, 800 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
Getting there: Head to 800 Congress Avenue in Downtown Austin and follow fan-zone entry signs. Arrange accessible entry with the organiser if needed. A COTA shuttle ticket does not include a transfer to this venue.
Luke Browning · Williams live Q&AHear Luke Browning in a live Williams Fan Zone Q&A. End time is not published; capacity is limited.11:00
Access: Free with Williams app registration; no guaranteed autograph or individual meeting.
Location: Downtown · 800 Congress, 800 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
Getting there: Head to 800 Congress Avenue in Downtown Austin and follow fan-zone entry signs. Arrange accessible entry with the organiser if needed. A COTA shuttle ticket does not include a transfer to this venue.
Grand PrixView Thursday · pit-lane walkPit-lane walk 14:00–16:00; Thursday gates open at 11:30. Enter through Grand Plaza and follow the organiser’s assembly instructions. No driver meeting or paddock access is guaranteed.14:00–16:00
Access: Separate Thursday ticket required. Enter Grand Plaza; arrange Thursday transport separately.
Location: Circuit of the Americas, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Boulevard, Austin, TX 78617
Getting there: Enter through Grand Plaza using your separate Thursday ticket. Gates open at 11:30; leave time for entry and follow staff instructions for the 14:00 pit-lane walk.
Red Bull Austin Race NightsPit-stop challenge, simulators and replica garage. Driver appearances are separate and still to be announced.16:00–22:00
Access: Free. All ages before 20:00; 18+ from 20:00. Food, drinks and merchandise extra.
Location: East Austin · East 7th Street, 1501 E 7th Street, Austin, TX
Getting there: Use 1501 E 7th Street in East Austin and follow event signage. Confirm accessible entry with the organiser. Arrange a legal nearby pickup separately from any COTA shuttle booking.
Pen to Pit Lane · F1 careers and Q&ACalum Nicholas hosts a panel including Yuki Tsunoda, with career advice, résumé reviews and headshots. This overlaps Vowles at 18:00.17:30–20:30
Access: Free ticket required; capacity and booking conditions apply.
Location: University area, 1900 University Avenue, Austin, TX 78705
Getting there: Head to the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center at 1900 University Avenue and follow event signs to the Grand Ballroom, not the separate Zlotnik Ballroom. Ask the venue/event team for the accessible entrance and lift route to the room. Arrange a University-area pickup or a dated CapMetro journey.
James Vowles · Williams live Q&AHear James Vowles in a live Williams Fan Zone Q&A. End time is not published; capacity is limited.18:00
Access: Free with Williams app registration; no guaranteed autograph or individual meeting.
Location: Downtown · 800 Congress, 800 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
Getting there: Head to 800 Congress Avenue in Downtown Austin and follow fan-zone entry signs. Arrange accessible entry with the organiser if needed. A COTA shuttle ticket does not include a transfer to this venue.
Mercedes Fan Hub · free city experienceTry simulators and a pit-stop challenge, see the show car and team memorabilia. Opening hours and entry arrangements to be confirmed; no driver appointment announced.Time to be confirmed
Access: Free entry; food, drinks and merchandise separate. Confirm opening times, registration and age requirements before travel.
Location: Downtown · 400 Congress, 400 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
Getting there: Head to 400 Congress Avenue and follow the temporary Fan Hub signs. This is the surface event site, not the Frost Bank building at 401 Congress. Arrange a legal nearby pickup separately. Confirm the accessible entrance and simulator/pit-stop participation with the organiser; a standard parking listing does not establish event access or parking.
Williams Fan ZoneShow car, simulators and team activities. Venue opening hours are separate from Alex Albon and James Vowles appearances, whose dates and times are still to be announced. Competitions have separate terms and do not guarantee a meeting.10:00–19:00
Access: Free; Williams app download and registration required.
Location: Downtown · 800 Congress, 800 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
Getting there: Head to 800 Congress Avenue in Downtown Austin and follow fan-zone entry signs. Arrange accessible entry with the organiser if needed. A COTA shuttle ticket does not include a transfer to this venue.
Damon Hill · Williams live Q&AHear Damon Hill in a live Williams Fan Zone Q&A. End time is not published; capacity is limited.10:00
Access: Free with Williams app registration; no guaranteed autograph or individual meeting.
Location: Downtown · 800 Congress, 800 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
Getting there: Head to 800 Congress Avenue in Downtown Austin and follow fan-zone entry signs. Arrange accessible entry with the organiser if needed. A COTA shuttle ticket does not include a transfer to this venue.
Red Bull Austin Race NightsPit-stop challenge, simulators and replica garage. Driver appearances are separate and still to be announced.16:00–22:00
Access: Free. All ages before 20:00; 18+ from 20:00. Food, drinks and merchandise extra.
Location: East Austin · East 7th Street, 1501 E 7th Street, Austin, TX
Getting there: Use 1501 E 7th Street in East Austin and follow event signage. Confirm accessible entry with the organiser. Arrange a legal nearby pickup separately from any COTA shuttle booking.
Mercedes Fan Hub · free city experienceTry simulators and a pit-stop challenge, see the show car and team memorabilia. Opening hours and entry arrangements to be confirmed; no driver appointment announced.Time to be confirmed
Access: Free entry; food, drinks and merchandise separate. Confirm opening times, registration and age requirements before travel.
Location: Downtown · 400 Congress, 400 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
Getting there: Head to 400 Congress Avenue and follow the temporary Fan Hub signs. This is the surface event site, not the Frost Bank building at 401 Congress. Arrange a legal nearby pickup separately. Confirm the accessible entrance and simulator/pit-stop participation with the organiser; a standard parking listing does not establish event access or parking.
Williams Fan ZoneShow car, simulators and team activities. Venue opening hours are separate from Alex Albon and James Vowles appearances, whose dates and times are still to be announced. Competitions have separate terms and do not guarantee a meeting.10:00–19:00
Access: Free; Williams app download and registration required.
Location: Downtown · 800 Congress, 800 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
Getting there: Head to 800 Congress Avenue in Downtown Austin and follow fan-zone entry signs. Arrange accessible entry with the organiser if needed. A COTA shuttle ticket does not include a transfer to this venue.
Red Bull Austin Race NightsPit-stop challenge, simulators and replica garage. Driver appearances are separate and still to be announced.16:00–22:00
Access: Free. All ages before 20:00; 18+ from 20:00. Food, drinks and merchandise extra.
Location: East Austin · East 7th Street, 1501 E 7th Street, Austin, TX
Getting there: Use 1501 E 7th Street in East Austin and follow event signage. Confirm accessible entry with the organiser. Arrange a legal nearby pickup separately from any COTA shuttle booking.
Post-race Fan Track Walk · podium celebrationsAfter Sunday’s race, join the starting-grid track walk and podium celebrations when staff open access. The start and finish times are to be confirmed; do not assume a 17:00 opening. No driver meeting or paddock access is included.Time to be confirmed
Access: Sunday-valid race admission required. Entry is subject to staff instructions and safety conditions. Confirm accessible participation with COTA.
Location: COTA · starting grid, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Boulevard, Austin, TX 78617
Getting there: Use the signed Track Walk entry points at Turn 1, Turn 2, Main Grandstand East or West, or Turn 19 when staff permit. Plan your onward walk to the Amphitheater or return shuttle separately.
Mercedes Fan Hub · free city experienceTry simulators and a pit-stop challenge, see the show car and team memorabilia. Opening hours and entry arrangements to be confirmed; no driver appointment announced.Time to be confirmed
Access: Free entry; food, drinks and merchandise separate. Confirm opening times, registration and age requirements before travel.
Location: Downtown · 400 Congress, 400 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
Getting there: Head to 400 Congress Avenue and follow the temporary Fan Hub signs. This is the surface event site, not the Frost Bank building at 401 Congress. Arrange a legal nearby pickup separately. Confirm the accessible entrance and simulator/pit-stop participation with the organiser; a standard parking listing does not establish event access or parking.
F1 drivers’ parade · spectator viewingWatch the drivers’ parade from your permitted spectator area before the Grand Prix. This is circuit viewing, with no autograph, personal meeting or paddock access included.13:00–13:30
Access: Sunday-valid race ticket required; keep to the viewing areas your ticket permits.
Location: Circuit of the Americas, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Boulevard, Austin, TX 78617
Getting there: Follow the entrance and arrival instructions for your Sunday race ticket. For the track walk, use signed entry points only when staff open them. Confirm accessible participation with COTA; this circuit pin is not the meeting point.
Red Bull Austin Race NightsPit-stop challenge, simulators and replica garage. Driver appearances are separate and still to be announced.16:00–22:00
Access: Free. All ages before 20:00; 18+ from 20:00. Food, drinks and merchandise extra.
Location: East Austin · East 7th Street, 1501 E 7th Street, Austin, TX
Getting there: Use 1501 E 7th Street in East Austin and follow event signage. Confirm accessible entry with the organiser. Arrange a legal nearby pickup separately from any COTA shuttle booking.
Red Bull and Racing Bulls appearancesTeam appearances are advertised, but individual drivers and appearance times have not been announced.
Access: Check the team announcement before making a journey for an appearance.
Location: East Austin · East 7th Street, 1501 E 7th Street, Austin, TX
Getting there: Use 1501 E 7th Street in East Austin and follow event signage. Confirm accessible entry with the organiser. Arrange a legal nearby pickup separately from any COTA shuttle booking.
Calendar downloads do not update automatically.
Save before travellingKeep your Austin transport guide offline
Get the eight-page PDF with city shuttles, parking, rideshare, ticket entrances, accessible travel, airport connections and campsite arrivals. It includes the return journey and the details still to be confirmed.
Sign up for Austin Grand Prix updates to unlock the download. Save the official maps and your booking instructions separately; the PDF does not update automatically.
Sign up and download the Austin transport PDF →Read the transport guide online →Before and after COTAPlan meals around the journey
- Before the shuttle
- Downtown Jo’s opens at 07:00 on weekdays and 08:00 at weekends. Veracruz at The LINE opens at 07:00. Add the ordering queue and the journey to your departure point; neither venue is the Waterloo Park shuttle stop.
- A meat-free meal
- Bouldin Creek Cafe offers vegetarian and vegan food. Plan a separate South Austin visit, and call the café about allergies before ordering.
- Barbecue needs time
- Keep Franklin for a free lunch day rather than squeezing its queue before racing. Terry Black’s offers another Austin meal option; the original Salt Lick needs a separate Driftwood journey. Use each guide’s current hours and booking advice.
- A reserved dinner
- Compare Hestia or Barley Swine for a tasting evening, Kappo Kappo or Craft for a Japanese chef’s menu, Suerte and Este for Mexican cooking, Jeffrey’s for steaks, Intero for Italian or Ezov for sharing plates. Launderette remains a lively neighbourhood choice. Keep fixed seatings for evenings when your COTA return leaves a comfortable margin.
- A relaxed group meal
- Kemuri Tatsu-ya combines Japanese izakaya flavours and Texas smokehouse dishes. Suerte takes online reservations for up to eight; larger parties enquire directly. Intero has specific F1-week group service and cancellation terms. Check the conditions in each guide before paying.
- Choose by cuisine
- Use the food-type filter to compare Japanese, Mexican, Italian, Eastern Mediterranean, Texas, steakhouse and plant-based choices. Fabrik offers a vegan tasting evening in Tarrytown; Bouldin Creek is a more casual vegetarian and vegan café. Discuss allergies and fixed-menu dietary limits directly before booking.
- Late drinks and food
- The Roosevelt Room closes at 02:00 Thursday–Saturday, with food ending at 01:30. Sunday–Wednesday food and venue service end at midnight. Check its age rules before bringing younger guests; non-alcoholic drinks are available.
- Your meal budget
- Use your editable race-week food allowance, then adjust it for your choices. Menu examples are individual items, not a complete meal total; include drinks, tax and gratuity.
Confirm race-week opening, last food orders and reservation conditions directly with each venue. A saved visit does not reserve a table.
Plan the journey back from COTA →Save your meal stops →Browse all Austin experiences →19–25 October 2026Choose the access that fits your race week
- Mercedes Fan Hub
- Try simulators, a pit-stop mechanic challenge and the 2026 show car at 400 Congress Avenue, 22–25 October. Entry is free; food and merchandise are separate purchases. Check opening hours and entry requirements before travel. No driver appointment is announced.
- Free city fan zones
- Williams runs 19–24 October at 800 Congress, with app registration required. Red Bull Race Nights runs 22–25 October at 1501 E 7th Street, 16:00–22:00; it becomes 18+ at 20:00.
- Williams live Q&As
- At 800 Congress: Alex Albon Wednesday 21 October at 17:25; Luke Browning Thursday at 11:00; James Vowles Thursday at 18:00; Damon Hill Friday at 10:00. Entry is free with Williams app registration; sessions can fill. End times are not published.
- Drive a kart or simulator
- K1 Speed offers electric kart races in North Austin. Race Club and One Line offer full-motion simulator sessions, with different opening days and booking options. K1 walk-in race purchases do not reserve a starting time.
- Wednesday · Power Paddock
- Duracell brings RC racing, interactive games and live music to Brazos Hall, 12:00–20:00 on 21 October. Albon is announced, with his appearance time still to come. His 17:25 Williams Q&A is at a different venue.
- Thursday · Pen to Pit Lane
- Calum Nicholas hosts a panel including Yuki Tsunoda at the AT&T Grand Ballroom, 17:30–20:30 on 22 October. Free tickets are required; résumé reviews and headshots are advertised. This overlaps Vowles at 18:00: make one talk your evening plan.
- Wednesday · Road to the Race
- Visit the Long Center on 21 October, 17:00–21:30, for display cars, simulators and a charity auction. Every guest needs a separate event ticket; driver attendance is not announced. Check current prices and entry instructions with the organiser.
- Sunday · drivers’ parade
- Watch from your permitted spectator area at COTA, 13:00–13:30 on 25 October, with Sunday race admission. The parade does not include a personal meeting or autograph.
- Sunday · Fan Track Walk
- After the race, join the starting-grid walk and podium celebrations when staff open access. Use the signed entry points at Turns 1, 2 or 19, or Main Grandstand East or West. No fixed start time is published. Allow for the onward walk to Alesso at 17:30 and confirm Sunday’s final shuttle return before staying.
- Competitions and giveaways
- Partner promotions have their own eligibility and entry conditions. A chance to win a meeting or race tickets is not booked access; keep those plans separate from confirmed admission.
- Thursday pit-lane walk
- The pit-lane walk runs 14:00–16:00 on 22 October with a separate Grand PrixView Thursday ticket. Enter through Grand Plaza and check the assembly instructions before arrival. Lots F and H are included with Thursday admission; weekend parking passes do not apply.
- Karting during race week
- COTA karting is closed 8–30 October. Leave it out of this race-week itinerary.
- Paddock and hospitality
- Ordinary admission and a Thursday pit-lane walk do not include paddock or garage access. Check the precise inclusions of your purchased hospitality package; a competition entry is not a guaranteed driver meeting.
- Build a realistic day
- Use Monday–Wednesday for Williams if you can. On race days, choose between a late COTA stay and a city event rather than assuming both fit. Arrange Thursday circuit transport separately and leave time for race-day shuttle queues.
Camping arrivals and returnsPlan the journey to camp, then the circuit
- Lot N arrival
- Use Elroy Road and the separate Lot N entrance. COTA Boulevard is not the Lot N check-in approach. Carry your confirmation and arrive during reception hours.
- Airport and luggage
- Arrange a vehicle that accepts your group and camping equipment, with the exact campsite handoff agreed in advance. The Friday–Sunday race shuttle does not establish a Thursday campsite drop-off or Monday airport return.
- Local movement
- Lot N’s operator advertises free shuttles at Turns 3 and 6. Confirm their stops, hours and accessibility at reception; no timed connection to your seat or concert is promised.
- After the concerts
- Confirm the open route and campsite re-entry before leaving. An internal shuttle and a city shuttle are different services. For a city outing, arrange both journeys and a permitted pickup; keep a meal at camp for a late return.
- Monday departure
- Checkout is by noon on 26 October. Allow time for packing, waste disposal, rental-vehicle handover and your onward transfer. Arrange any earlier exit with staff.
Three extra-day plansChoose one area, then leave room for the return
- South Austin and Driftwood
- Start with the Wildflower Center, then continue to the original Salt Lick. Pre-purchase the garden and arrange a car or driver for both directions. Keep one driver alcohol-free. The Blanton is the city fallback if weather or transport makes the regional plan unsuitable.
- Lockhart park and barbecue
- Reserve Lockhart State Park, walk before the heat of the day and choose Black’s or Kreuz as the main meal. A second smokehouse works as a shared tasting stop, not another full lunch. Keep the Monday plan here: both restaurants and the park publish Monday opening.
- Johnson City and the Hill Country
- On Wednesday–Saturday, pair Science Mill with the nearby NPS visitor centre. Pedernales Falls is a separate outdoor anchor: reserve entry and replace part of the museum day rather than stacking all three visits.
- Family and indoor fallback
- Science Mill is the family-focused indoor option from Wednesday to Saturday. The Blanton is the central Austin fallback Tuesday–Sunday and is closed Monday. Check the selected date before cancelling a road plan.
- Cars, drivers and alcohol
- These extensions need a pre-booked car, rental vehicle or driver. Agree the pickup, final Austin drop-off and any waiting time in advance. Do not combine tasting or drinks with driving.
- Protect the race weekend
- Keep Friday–Sunday clear for COTA. Use Monday–Wednesday after the race for extensions, or add them before Thursday. Do not place a substantial regional day between a late concert return and an early circuit departure.
Opening hours are ordinary schedules, not a guarantee for every race-week date. Reserve state-park entry, recheck alerts and confirm every regional return before departure.
Save the seven-night Austin extension →Compare every Austin and Hill Country visit →Plan COTA transport separately →2026 / 2027This year’s results. Next year’s Austin weekend.
The 2026 classifications are pending. The next Austin Grand Prix weekend is confirmed for 22-24 October 2027; session times, appearances and event transport still need their own 2027 announcements.
See 2026 session results →Check the 2027 race dates →20–29 OctoberBuild your Austin motorsport week
- Four, six or seven nights
- Arrive early for simulators, live Q&As and city fan events, stay race-focused for four nights, or add Hill Country days after COTA.
Featured / Race week
Beyond the circuit
after the chequered flag.
Find restaurants, sights and activities to enjoy before or after racing.
Live music & bars
The Continental Club · Austin
Choose a live set at the South Congress club and build your evening around it.
Live music & bars
The White Horse · Austin
Spend an adults-only evening with live music and dancing in East Austin.
Live music & bars
The Broken Spoke
Try two-stepping and spend an evening in an Austin dance hall.
Museums & heritage
Texas State Capitol
Take a free guided tour or explore the Capitol at your own pace.
Museums & heritage
Bullock Texas State History Museum
Explore Texas history indoors, with film screenings available separately.
Landmarks & outdoors
Congress Avenue Bridge · bat watching
Enjoy the waterfront and watch for bats, with modest expectations in late October.
Motorsport & circuit experiences
Williams Austin Fan Zone
See the FW48 show car and try the simulators at a free city fan zone, 19–24 October.
Motorsport & circuit experiences
Red Bull Austin Race Nights
Try pit-stop challenges and simulators at a free East Austin event, 22–25 October.
Motorsport & circuit experiences
Grand PrixView Thursday at COTA
Start race week with Thursday campus activities and a pit-lane walk on 22 October, using a separate Thursday ticket.
Restaurants & fine dining
Launderette
Reserve an East Austin dinner, or leave a free day for lunch and weekend brunch.
Live music & bars
The Roosevelt Room
Reserve a seated cocktail stop with non-alcoholic choices and a separate late food cutoff.
Motorsport & circuit experiences
Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Fan Hub · Austin
Try Mercedes simulators and a pit-stop challenge at a free downtown fan hub, 22–25 October.
Austin F1 updates
Heading to COTA in 2026?
Get the Austin F1 transport PDF to save on your phone, plus Grand Prix planning updates covering circuit access, travel and race-week news.
Around the race / Austin
MAKE MORE
OF THE WEEKEND.
Find your next stop. Turn a card for places, planning details and the full guide.
10 options to explore
Motorsport & circuit experiences
Electric kart racing, full-motion simulators, team fan zones, live Q&As and Thursday’s pit-lane walk.
4 options to explore
Accommodation
Downtown nightlife vs East Austin boutique hotels, South Congress charm, and avoiding isolated airport motels.
11 options to explore
Photo by jcutrer · CC BY-SA 4.0Restaurants & fine dining
Compare chef’s menus, Mexican seafood, Italian cooking and a classic steakhouse evening.
9 options to explore
Local & casual dining
Choose breakfast, tacos, vegetarian meals or Texas barbecue.
4 options to explore
Live music & bars
Plan a club set, a dance-hall night or an adults-only evening.
3 options to explore
Active & outdoor breaks
Make time for a swim between race days.
5 options to explore
Museums & heritage
Explore the Capitol and Texas history on a free city day.
2 options to explore
Landmarks & outdoors
Enjoy the waterfront with seasonal wildlife expectations.
Know before you go / 7 answers
The inside line.
7 answers
Tickets & views / Answer 01
Which grandstand is best at Circuit of the Americas (COTA)?
Turn 1 overlooks the uphill opening braking zone, Turn 12 faces the end of the back straight, and Turn 15 covers the technical stadium sequence. For explicitly covered 2026 seating, compare Main Grandstand Mezzanine with the Upper categories at Turns 4 and 19. Check the level and block on your ticket.
Tickets & views / Answer 02
How much do Austin F1 2026 tickets cost?
Compare current organiser prices for General Admission, reserved grandstand seating and hospitality. Grandstand levels and blocks are separate choices, and package inclusions vary. Our comparison describes viewing areas and cover; it does not show live prices or availability.
The destination / Answer 03
How bad is COTA traffic and what is the best way to get there?
Allow extra time for event traffic. Official shuttle departures include Waterloo Park and Travis County Expo Center, with a dedicated bus lane advertised by COTA. The 2026 parking map places the downtown arrival at Grand Plaza and the Expo arrival at McAngus, so check your pass and onward instructions rather than assuming both use the same entrance.
Getting around / Answer 04
Why should visitors avoid using Uber or Lyft at COTA?
The 2026 parking map places rideshare at McAngus rather than beside every grandstand. Account for the onward journey to your ticketed area and confirm the return pickup arrangements. Demand can affect fares and waits; the map does not promise a fixed walking or queue time.
Your base / Answer 05
Is it better to stay in Downtown Austin or near the airport/COTA?
Downtown can suit the Waterloo Park shuttle, but check the actual walking route from your hotel. East Austin and South Congress offer other dining and nightlife bases with an extra journey to the departure. Airport hotels may suit flight plans; confirm race transport separately and do not assume a nearby hotel is walkable to COTA.
Tickets & views / Answer 06
Which concerts are included with Austin F1 tickets?
A COTA-purchased race ticket valid for the performance day includes general concert admission: Maroon 5 on Friday and Post Malone on Saturday at the Germania Insurance Super Stage, and Alesso at 17:30 on Sunday at the Germania Insurance Amphitheater. For tickets bought from another seller, confirm concert admission; checkpoint admission may cost extra. Concert upgrades are separate.
Getting around / Answer 07
Can spectators walk on the track after the race at COTA?
Follow the organiser’s race-day announcements and marshals’ instructions. Do not plan around a particular track-access gate or opening time until it is announced. Any permitted track access does not include paddock access.
