Circuit of The Americas is expanding the 2026 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix into a four-day event with the debut of Grand PrixView Thursday on Oct. 22 — a $20 open-house style day for fans before the main weekend begins.
According to COTA, Thursday includes F1 Academy track action, fan villages across the property, first access to the F1 Fan Zone, a Formula 1 Pit Lane Walk, merchandise shopping, and a chance to experience COTALAND before weekend crowds (COTALAND tickets sold separately). Standalone Thursday tickets are $20; current three-day ticket and hospitality holders can claim Thursday access as included.
“We’re always looking for ways to make F1 more accessible,” COTA Chairman and Founder Bobby Epstein said. “Grand PrixView Thursday is like an open house for our Central Texas community. For just $20, you can come, get up close with F1 and see what all the excitement is about.”
The addition is aimed squarely at Austinites and regional fans who want campus access without buying a full race package — and it pairs with F1 Academy’s return to COTA on the 2026 support calendar. Full weekend details and tickets: TheCircuit.com.
Source: Circuit of The Americas announcement (July 23, 2026), reported via SpeedwayMedia / Austin American-Statesman.
