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COTA Unveils Exciting New Thursday Ticket for United States GP Access
Highlights
- COTA launches $20 ‘Grand PrixView Thursday’ ticket for US Grand Prix
- Thursday ticket grants access to pitlane walk and F1 Academy track
- Includes entry to fan villages, merchandise, and official F1 Fan Zone
- Existing three-day ticket holders get free Thursday access
- Ticket available starting October 22, before Austin race weekend
- COTA aims to increase local fan engagement with new Thursday event
Circuit of The Americas will introduce a $20 ‘Grand PrixView Thursday’ ticket for the United States Grand Prix, on sale October 22, expanding the Austin weekend to a four-day programme.
The new option opens the circuit on Thursday before official sessions, giving fans early access to on-site activations and reduced crowds.
Access includes a pitlane walk, F1 Academy running, entry to its paddock, fan villages, merchandise outlets, and the official Formula 1 Fan Zone on site.
COTA’s amusement rides operate on Thursday but require separate admission, keeping the ticket focused on track access and core fan areas.
Tickets cost $20 and go on sale October 22.
Existing three-day general admission, grandstand, and hospitality customers receive Thursday entry at no extra cost, effectively turning their weekend into a four-day programme.
Thursday access includes a pitlane walk and live F1 Academy track action.
COTA chairman Bobby Epstein frames the initiative as an open house for Central Texas, aiming to increase access and convert local curiosity into long-term fandom.
The strategy aligns with Formula 1’s recent push to deepen engagement beyond sessions, extending dwell time and offering value without inflating core weekend pricing.
Austin’s Grand Prix has grown strongly since 2012, reinforcing demand for added access.
Since its 2012 debut, Austin’s Grand Prix has grown into a high-demand event, prompting COTA to expand off‑track programming and diversify entry points.
Introducing Thursday mirrors wider experiments across F1 weekends, including early-week fan access trials such as the Grand PrixView concept trialled elsewhere.
It also consolidates COTA’s position on the Formula 1 schedule as a fan-first venue, with additional touchpoints before competitive running begins.
Visual Summary
The Circuit Opens a Day Early!
$20 Thursday Ticket
for F1 Pitlane Walks, F1 Academy Action & Fan Fun
🏁
Pitlane
Walk
Pitlane
Walk
🚗💨
F1 Academy
Track Action
F1 Academy
Track Action
🎡
Fan Zone
+ Fun
Fan Zone
+ Fun
No extra charge
for 3-day pass holders
Open House for Austin
for 3-day pass holders
Open House for Austin
Thursday at COTA: Where First-Time Fans Meet the Magic of F1
Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.
