Ultimate Guide to 2024 US Grand Prix

About the United States Grand Prix

The United States Grand Prix has raced in Austin, Texas every fall since 2012. The race, known as the USGP, features the top Formula 1 drivers and cars coming to Texas to compete for the US championship. The race has become a favorite for many F1 drivers and it gives out important points in the Conductors & Driver’s Championships. The US Grand Prix is a 3-day event that takes place Friday through Sunday. The Friday racing is practice and qualifying for the Sprint race. Saturday’s race action features another practice round and the all important Sprint race which sets the order for the main race. Sunday is the main race, the United States Grand Prix, and will feature a capacity crowd filled with celebrities and racing enthusiasts.

The focus of the weekend is on F1 racing, but it has plenty more fun in store for fans in attendance. First, Austin really rolls out the red carpet for fans traveling to Texas for the race. There are great restaurants and entertainment across the city during F1 weekend. The race itself is also more than just the action on the track; it has scheduled top concert performers to perform after the race on Friday and Saturday. Fans who purchase a ticket to the racing on Friday or Saturday gain free admission to see the concert held that evening. Big stars like Taylor Swift, Elton John and The Killers have performed in past years.

Where is the US Grand Prix held?

The US Grand Prix takes place at the Circuit of the Americas, which is located just outside of Austin a few miles from downtown. COTA, as it is known to the fans, is a truly unique race track experience. It is among the most popular tracks on the F1 global circuit, and it is the only racetrack in the USA that is built specifically for F1 racing (Miami and Vegas are converted street courses). COTA is also home to it’s own concert amphitheater, which hosts some of Austin’s top concerts throughout the year. Fans travelling to COTA by car on race day should build in some extra time for traffic on the county roads closest to the track.

US Grand Prix Austin 2023 Schedule
The dates for the upcoming USGP are listed below. There are events throughout the day on Friday and Saturday, but the schedule of times for F1 practicing or race qualifying are released closer to the event. The main race on Sunday will take place in the early afternoon.

  • Friday, October 18, 2024: Practice Sessions
  • Saturday, October 19, 2024: Practice & Sprint Race (Qualifying)
  • Sunday, October 20, 2024: United States Grand Prix (F1 race)

US Grand Prix Parking at COTA

Parking at COTA can be an issue with so many fans coming out on race day. Many fans choose to pre-purchase a USGP parking pass to avoid the hassles of trying to find a cash lot on race day. Parking passes can be expensive depending on the location, with the closer spots (including Lot A) being more expensive. There are over 10 parking lots at Circuit of the Americas including RV Parking. Buy a parking pass at COTA on our main USGP parking page. 

US Grand Prix Bag Policy

Bags are allowed and are not required to be clear for the US Grand Prix as long as they are smaller than 12X12X20 inches.

US Grand Prix Seating Chart

Circuit of the Americas Seating Guide

The racetrack at COTA has 20 turns, and the best seats are located in the Main Grandstand. From the main Grandstand at COTA you can view the start of the race and the pits. However, Turn 1 offers the best view of passing, while Turn 15 will offer you the widest view of most of the track. 

Main Grandstand

  • Covered seats with seat backs and cup holders
  • The start is at Section 110. The finish line is at Section 103
  • From trackside (bleachers for the hardcore fans) to Lower, Loge, Mezzanine and Club Levels the Main Grandstand offers premium seating and race day experiences for larger groups.
  • All levels are covered, except Loge seating, but some covered sections can get sun, depending on time of day

Turn No. 1 Grandstand

  • There are 10 sections (6,000 seats) that are built uphill to follow the track
  • Section 1, Row 1 is the front row; the last row is Section 10, Row 122
  • Views the main straight as well as the vista of the Texas countryside

Turn No. 15 Grandstand – (Two Sections: Turn 15 Corner and Straight)

  • Sections 1-7 (Corner), with each section having rows 1-34 and Sections 8-25 (Straight) having rows 1-35
  • The Grandstands provide a beautiful panoramic view of a large portion of the track, most of Turns 5 through 15
  • The drivers run through a 180-degree bend at 60 MPH and are hard on the throttle coming out of the corner; within a couple of seconds their speeds have more than doubled as they approach the climb up to Turn 16 and are pulled well over 2.5 G’s

Best Seats for US Grand Prix at COTA

The best seats for the US Grand Prix at COTA are the Main Grandstand. The Main Grandstand offers premium seating and enhanced race day experiences, with features such as covered seats (with the exception of Loge seating) with seat backs and cup holders. The Main Grandstand covers both the start and finish lines, with the start located at Section 110 and the finish line at Section 103. 

There is a premium Velocity Lounge also located in the Main Grandstand. Access to that club is included with certain tickets in the main grandstands. The Velocity Lounge includes premium drinks, food buffets, climate-controlled seating, interactive experiences, and more!

Who are the performers for this year’s USGP?
Every year the US Grand Prix brings in some of music’s biggest acts to complement the big racing weekend. Previous performers include Pink, Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake, Elton John, Imagine Dragons, Bruno Mars, Stevie Wonder, and more. Visit our main USGP page to see who is taking the stage this year.

The concerts at US Grand Prix are held on the “Super Stage”, which is located on the infield of the race track and not at the on-site amphitheater. Anyone who purchases a 3-Day pass to the US Grand Prix or a single day pass is allowed admission to the concert for their respected ticket dates. The concerts are general admission only. 

About TicketCity

We have been offering tickets to the US Grand Prix since the first yet it was held in Austin. We are located in Austin and are proud to have made it possible for thousands of racing fans to see the top F1 racing event in the country. Our knowledge of this race is unsurpassed as our team attends the race annually and knows every turn at COTA. We also handle NASCAR events including the Daytona 500, as well as IndyCar events like the infamous Indy 500, and all other auto racing events. 

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