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Choosing a grandstand at the United States Grand Prix
Sunday December 6 2026
What to expect in this guide
• Where do you get the best view at the Circuit of The Americas?
• Where are the main grandstands?
• Are the grandstands covered?
• What about General Admission?
• Best booking resources for F1 trips
• Frequently asked questions
• Money-saving tip
Estimated Reading Time: 4-5 minutes
The Circuit of The Americas is a long, varied lap with grandstands clustered around the most action-packed sections. Most of the on-track overtaking happens at Turn 1, the tight uphill hairpin at the end of the start-finish straight, and at Turn 12, the heavy braking zone at the end of the long back straight. The arena section between Turns 12 and 16 is another good area for side-by-side racing.
Having sat in the Turn 1 and Turn 15 grandstands myself, I can recommend both. They give good views and sit at strong overtaking spots.
The grandstands at COTA are mostly uncovered. The Turn 19 Grandstand is covered, and the Main Club Level of the Main Grandstand is also covered. October weather in Texas is usually warm and dry, but pack for the occasional autumn shower.
Main Grandstand (start-finish straight)
The Main Grandstand runs along the start-finish straight, opposite the pit lane and team garages. From here you see the grid build-up, the start, the cars accelerating away from the line and up the hill into Turn 1, the pit lane in action through the race, and the chequered flag. The podium ceremony also takes place here.
The Main Club Level is the only covered seating section in the Main Grandstand.
Turn 1 Grandstand
The Turn 1 Grandstand sits around Big Red, the steep uphill left-hand hairpin at the end of the start-finish straight. The uphill approach gives drivers multiple lines into the corner, which makes for one of the best overtaking spots on the calendar. From this grandstand you get a wide view of the start, the run up the hill, the corner itself, and a chunk of the rest of the circuit beyond.
Turn 4 Grandstand
The Turn 4 Grandstand sits at the fast esses, where cars change direction quickly through a series of sweeping corners. Overtaking here is rare, but the speed and commitment through this section is some of the best of the lap.
Turn 12 Grandstand
The Turn 12 Grandstand sits on the outside of the heavy braking zone at the end of the long back straight. This is one of the main overtaking spots on the circuit, with drivers using the long run from Turn 11 to set up a move under braking.
Turn 15 Grandstand
The Turn 15 Grandstand sits in the arena section, with views of Turns 12 through 16. The slower speeds in this section bring cars close together and produce regular side-by-side racing. It’s a good spot for watching strategic moves and defending lines.
Turn 19 Grandstand
The Turn 19 Grandstand sits in the final sector, with views of Turns 18, 19, and 20. It’s the last chance for an overtake before the start-finish straight, and the grandstand is just steps from the Grand Plaza, which makes it convenient for the fan zone and the post-race shuttle buses. The Turn 19 Grandstand is also covered.
General Admission
The Circuit of The Americas has General Admission tickets that give access to grass viewing areas around the circuit. It’s a workable budget option for fans who don’t mind being on their feet and want flexibility to move around the circuit through the weekend.
Best booking resources for F1 trips
Take a look at our Grand Prix ticket & travel packages »
Prefer to do it all yourself? You’re welcome to take what you’ve learned here and build your own trip from scratch.
I keep going back to these travel companies because they’re reliable, easy to use, and usually have the best value. They’re where I start every time I plan a trip.
Tickets
Motorsport Tickets and Grand Prix Tickets are the two agencies I’ve trusted for years. They’ve always been reliable, easy to deal with, and quick to help if something comes up.
Hotels
ZenHotels is one of my go-to sites for hotel bookings. It pulls prices from loads of smaller sites you might not know about, so it’s great for finding deals. I also check Expedia and Booking.com when I want more options.
Excursions
Viator is packed with walking tours, attraction tickets, and local experiences. It’s especially handy if you’re heading to a new Grand Prix city. It’s a great place to find extras to add to your trip.
FAQ's
At Turn 1, at Turn 12, and across the arena section between Turns 12 and 16.
Most are uncovered. The Turn 19 Grandstand is covered, and the Main Club Level of the Main Grandstand is also covered.
The race takes place in October, when central Texas weather is generally warm and dry. The occasional autumn shower is possible, so pack a light waterproof.
Yes, if you don't mind being on your feet. General Admission gives you access to grass viewing areas around the circuit at the lowest ticket price.
Money-saving tip
Book early, or wait for single-day tickets
Booking early is the best chance of securing the lowest-priced weekend three-day ticket. That said, in recent years COTA have also sold single-day tickets, which tend to go on sale closer to the event. If you don’t want to attend all three days and you’re happy to take the risk of not getting your first-choice grandstand, it’s sometimes worth waiting to see if single-day tickets are released.
Introducing the United States Grand Prix
In this guide you'll learn about the Circuit of The Americas, the circuit's location near Austin, Texas, and how a race weekend works.
Getting to the United States Grand Prix
In this guide you'll learn about how to get to Texas for the United States Grand Prix.
Where to stay for the United States Grand Prix
In this guide we'll help you choose the best place to stay during your trip to the United States Grand Prix.
Getting around at the United States Grand Prix
In this guide you'll learn about the different options for getting around during the United States Grand Prix.
