Come for the race, the food, and the concerts — but not the championship, because that’s already been decided. In a bewildering turn of events, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen already clinched his second successive Formula One title on Sunday in the Japanese Grand Prix.
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t watch the race. F1 is one of Austin’s busiest events, drawing more than 400,000 watchers each year. Single-day tickets are still available on Friday starting at $59 and Sunday starting at $259.
What to bring
Like ACL Fest, F1 is a mostly outdoor activity. Temperature highs are in the low 90s, so dress for comfort with sweat-wicking fabrics, sunglasses, and a slather of sunscreen. Binoculars could help you get an up-close look at the action, and bringing a folding chair will give you a place to rest if you don’t have a seat. There is a small chance of rain throughout the weekend, so a rain poncho may come in handy in the event of a surprise storm.
Pack your items in a bag no larger than 12x12x20 inches — empty hydration packs are also allowed. Leave the coolers, tents, drones, and glass containers at home, as they are prohibited.
How to get there
In terms of transportation, F1 goers have three options:
- Via car | There are plenty of parking lots on site to choose from, just make sure to purchase a parking pass before you leave.
- Via ride share | Unauthorized vehicles will not be permitted on the grounds, so have your driver take you to Del Valle High School and finish the rest of the ride on a complimentary shuttle.
- Via shuttle | More than 600 shuttles will move people to and from the grounds, with pickup stations at Waterloo Park downtown, Barton Creek Square Mall in southwest Austin, and at the Travis County Expo Center in northeast Austin. Single-day shuttle tickets start at $35.
What to do
Don’t be mistaken, F1 isn’t just about the Grand Prix. Over the course of the weekend, COTA will also host 30+ concerts from A-listers and local names. Here are a few performers:
Friday
- Headliner: Green Day
- Silver Fox
- Mayeux and Broussard
- After party: The Kid Laroi
Saturday
- Headliner: Ed Sheeran
- San Gabriel
- The Broken Spokes
- After party: Post Malone
Sunday
- Headliners: Interpol and Diesel (aka Shaquille O’Neal)
- Superfónicos
- Sasha and the Valentines
And don’t miss out on the plethora of local food vendors coming to COTA — there are more than a dozen restaurants to choose from. We recommend:
- BBQ from Whitfield’s and Guess Family Barbecue
- German fare from Central Machine Works
- Steamed buns from Bao’d Up
- Goat cheese sandwiches from Chivita Goat Cheese Lovers
- Rice bowls and empanadas from Four Brothers.
View the full list of food vendors here.
