Circuit of the Americas · Texas, USA
“COTA is the USA's purpose-built Grand Prix venue — 5.5 km of swooping elevation changes, a giant wheel, a stadium-spec grandstand, and a crowd that treats every racing series like the Super Bowl. Austin adds the rest: Sixth Street, Franklin Barbecue, and the eternal soundtrack of live music drifting through the night air.”
Austin is the capital of Texas and home to the University of Texas Longhorns, a booming tech scene, and one of the most distinctive cultures in American motorsport. The city earned its "Live Music Capital of the World" title honestly — Sixth Street, Rainey Street, and the Red River Cultural District pump out live bands seven nights a week. For race fans, Austin delivers the full package: incredible food, warm hospitality, and a crowd-favourite track that produces some of the best racing on the calendar.
No visit to Austin is complete without sampling the legendary Texas BBQ scene. Franklin Barbecue on East 11th Street is the most famous — arrive before opening and expect a two-hour queue. Worth it. La Barbecue and Terry Black's offer more accessible queues with equally smoky, tender brisket. Beyond BBQ, South Congress Avenue (SoCo) is lined with great taquerias, burger joints, and elevated Tex-Mex. For something lighter, the East Austin food truck parks near Cesar Chavez serve everything from Vietnamese banh mi to Nashville hot chicken.
Austin lives and breathes live music. On any given weekend — race weekend especially — you'll find a dozen shows within walking distance on Sixth Street. For a more local flavour, head to Rainey Street (converted bungalows turned bars, younger crowd) or the Red River Cultural District for indie rock and country. The Continental Club on South Congress has been Austin's best live music room since 1957. Late nights typically run until 2am, and the city has an energy that keeps going well after the chequered flag.
COTA hosts multiple motorsport events, and the MotoGP round is one of the largest. The venue has a genuine festival atmosphere — outdoor stages, food vendors, and activities beyond the track itself. General Admission gives access to the infield and multiple viewing mounds; the Main Grandstand opposite Turn 12 is the premium grandstand pick. The famous Big Wheel (observation wheel inside the circuit) offers a panoramic view of the entire layout.
Race weekend typically brings hundreds of thousands of fans to Austin over three days. Book accommodation and restaurants early — the city fills up fast.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is approximately 20 miles from COTA. Ride-shares (Uber/Lyft) are the most convenient option. During peak race weekend traffic, official shuttles running from downtown hotels to COTA gates are worth using — they avoid the worst of the I-35 congestion. If you're renting a car, TX-130 is a toll road that bypasses central Austin and is significantly faster than I-35 on race days.