Formula 1 United States Grand Prix

The Formula 1 United States Grand Prix is held at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), a purpose-built track designed by Hermann Tilke with the architects HKS, which opened in 2012. formula1.com lists the 2027 race as Round 19, from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 October 2027, and the circuit's own site gives the same dates.

It's a conventional weekend in 2027, not a Sprint: formula1.com shows Practice 1 and 2 on Friday, Practice 3 and Qualifying on Saturday and the Grand Prix on Sunday, with session times still TBC. The circuit pairs the racing with concerts; every COTA ticket gives access to the Super Stage concerts on Friday and Saturday, according to its venue policies.

The 5.513 km lap starts with a steep uphill run to a wide Turn 1, followed by fast sweeping esses and a stadium section at Turns 12 to 15. formula1.com notes that the main grandstand offers in-seat food and drink service, the Turn 1 stand looks towards downtown Austin, and the Stadium Section stands at Turns 15 and 16 put you close to the action. General admission tickets give access to grassy viewing areas around the circuit.

As a trip, plan around the journey: Visit Austin says COTA is about 30 minutes from downtown, and on race weekend the circuit restricts its access road to permitted vehicles and buses. The usual plan is to stay in Austin and take the circuit's official shuttle, buy a parking pass, or use rideshare to a dedicated lot.

• Turn 1: a steep climb to a wide hairpin, which formula1.com says never fails to produce overtaking, with a view to downtown Austin from the grandstand.
• The Stadium Section: formula1.com's pick for seeing the racing up close, at Turns 15 and 16.
• The observation tower: the tower above the circuit, reached by elevator, with the fee included, according to COTA's accessibility page.
• Concerts: all COTA ticket holders can attend the Super Stage shows on Friday and Saturday, according to the circuit.
• Camping at the track: trackside RV sites on the back straight and dry camping in Lot N near Turn 3, sold by the circuit.

• Downtown Austin: the widest choice of hotels, with the circuit's downtown shuttle leaving from Waterloo Park. CapMetro buses 2, 5, 7, 10 and 837 stop at or near Waterloo Park.
• Near the airport: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is on the same side of the city as the circuit, and CapMetro Route 20 links it with the city.
• At the circuit: COTA sells Premium RV sites on the back straight and dry camping in Lot N (tents allowed), a short walk from the entrance. Camping doesn't include race admission; 2027 sales were listed as coming soon.
• Packages: Visit Austin points to COTA's travel packages, which bundle tickets, hotel accommodation and hospitality.

Visit Austin, the city's tourism board, says rooms near downtown and COTA sell out months ahead and that rates rise as October approaches.

From the UK: fly to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). The airport's nonstop flights list (June 2026) includes London Heathrow (LHR) with British Airways. From the airport, CapMetro's high-frequency Route 20 runs into the city, and rideshare and taxis pick up at the terminal.

Entry: you need an approved ESTA (or a US visa) before you travel on a British passport, according to GOV.UK. Apply only through the official ESTA website or the ESTA Mobile app. A valid ESTA doesn't guarantee entry, and your passport must be valid for the length of your stay.

On race days (from the circuit's 2026 arrangements; 2027 details may change):

• Official shuttle: COTA runs round-trip shuttles with a dedicated bus lane and drop-off at the front gate, from Waterloo Park downtown (from $49) and the Travis County Expo Center (from $34). Shuttles start about an hour before gates open; the last inbound bus left at 2pm on Sunday and 6:30pm on Friday and Saturday. Buy in advance: passes at the pick-up points are standby only. Children 3 and under ride free.
• CapMetro + shuttle: ride a CapMetro bus to Waterloo Park or the Expo Center, then take the COTA shuttle.
• Driving: every vehicle parking on site needs a COTA parking pass bought in advance; without one you can't use COTA Blvd. In 2026 lots ranged from about $52 to $134.50, including a Park N Ride option.
• Rideshare: Uber, Lyft and others drop off and pick up at the McAngus Lot only, with a free tram to the box office near the Grand Plaza.

For the rest of your trip, see our USA guide.

Flight delayed or cancelled on the way? See our Travel Disruption guide for your rights.

Tickets are sold by the circuit on its official ticket page, through Ticketmaster. On 29 October 2026 COTA said 2027 3-day general admission grounds passes were on sale; grandstand seats, hospitality and other options can be registered for on the same page.

Children aged 3 and over need a ticket, whether in general admission or reserved seating. All ticket sales are final, with no refunds.

Formula 1 says genuine tickets are available only from formula1.com, race promoters and appointed agents, and warns about fraudulent websites, emails, texts and social media messages.

Book your stay early: Visit Austin says rooms near downtown and COTA sell out months ahead.

Allow time on Sunday: COTA says the longest shuttle transit times are on race day Sunday between 9:30am and 12:15pm.

Bags: for major races, bags can be no larger than 12 × 12 × 20 inches (about 30 × 30 × 50 cm). Coolers, luggage and computer bags aren't allowed.

Food and drink: outside food and drink aren't allowed, but you can bring one empty water bottle up to 32 oz (no glass) and an empty Camelbak. On-site stands accept American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa. You must be 21 to buy alcohol, with a two-drink limit per ID.

Allowed: small hand-held umbrellas, collapsible chairs, blankets, binoculars, non-aerosol sunscreen, strollers and personal cameras (no tripods, monopods or detachable telephoto lenses). Not allowed: drones, pets (service animals excepted), bikes and scooters, tents and non-collapsible chairs.

Re-entry: allowed on motorsport days; scan your ticket at the gate on the way out.

Weather: if lightning is detected nearby, COTA announces where to shelter over the PA and screens. F1 cars are loud, so ear protection is sensible, especially for children.

COTA offers ADA seating in the Main Grandstand, the Turn 12 Grandstand and the Turn 15 Grandstand; you need the right ticket plus companion ticket(s). Request accessible seating when you buy, using Ticketmaster's 'Request Accessible Tickets' button, or by calling (512) 655-6300.

Accessible parking is in Lots A, D and H on a first-come, first-served basis; you need a parking pass and a valid disabled placard. Accessible shuttles run from all lots (text COTA to 69050), and ADA golf carts are available at the ADA tents by the shuttle stops. Mobility scooters are allowed. There are elevators in the Main Grandstand, on the red pedestrian bridge at Turn 3, on the blue bridge from the support-race team area and in the observation tower, plus accessible restrooms, sensory rooms in the Grand Plaza and nursing rooms. Service animals are welcome; emotional support animals aren't.

Accessibility at the off-site shuttle locations is available on request: call 512-301-6600 ext. 0. See COTA's ADA accessibility page for details.

The FCDO doesn't advise against travel to the USA. It says terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks there, including at crowded places, mass gatherings and sporting events, so stay aware of your surroundings and follow local authorities' advice. In an emergency, call 911. At COTA, all guests are subject to search on entry, and you can text COTA to 69050 for non-emergency help on site.

• Before you go, read the UK government's FCDO travel advice for the United States (entry requirements, safety and local laws).
• Flight delayed or cancelled on the way? See our Travel Disruption guide for your rights and live alerts.