The United States Grand Prix returns to the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on 23-25 October 2026, forming round 19 of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. One of the most popular races on the calendar, the USGP has been a fixture at COTA since the circuit opened in 2012 and regularly attracts crowds of over 400,000 across the weekend.
What is the United States Grand Prix?
The United States Grand Prix is Formula 1’s premier race in the US, held annually at the purpose-built Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. The 5.513km circuit features 20 turns, including the iconic uphill charge to Turn 1, a steep climb of roughly 30 metres that creates dramatic opening-lap battles. The track was designed by Hermann Tilke and has hosted every edition of the modern USGP since 2012.
When is the United States Grand Prix?
The 2026 United States Grand Prix takes place from Friday 23 October to Sunday 25 October. Free practice sessions are scheduled for Friday, with qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday. The race start time is typically around 14:00 local time (CDT), which translates to 20:00 BST and 15:00 ET.
Where is the United States Grand Prix?
The Circuit of the Americas is located in Del Valle, southeast of downtown Austin, Texas. The facility has a permanent capacity of over 120,000 in grandstand seating, with general admission areas pushing race-day attendance beyond 150,000. The venue also features the 25-storey COTA observation tower, which offers panoramic views of the entire circuit. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is the nearest airport, approximately 15 minutes from the track.
Key Contenders
The 2026 season has been reshaped by sweeping regulation changes covering power units, active aerodynamics, and chassis design. Mercedes have made a strong start to the new era, with George Russell winning the Australian Grand Prix and teammate Kimi Antonelli taking victories in China and Japan. Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, are their closest challengers. Max Verstappen, now partnered with Red Bull-Ford, remains a formidable threat at a circuit where he has won four times (2021, 2022, 2023, 2025). Lando Norris, the reigning World Drivers’ Champion with McLaren, will be looking to reassert himself as the season enters its second half.
How to Watch the United States Grand Prix
In the United States, Formula 1 is now broadcast exclusively on Apple TV following a major rights deal that began in 2026. All practice, qualifying, and race sessions are available through the platform. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports F1 continues to hold exclusive live broadcasting rights. Fans in Canada can access coverage through F1 TV, which offers Pro and Premium tiers. Across Europe, Canal+ (France), RTL (Germany), and other national broadcasters carry live coverage. F1 TV Pro is available in select markets worldwide for those wanting direct access to all sessions with multiple on-board camera feeds.
History and Records
Lewis Hamilton dominated the early years at COTA, winning five of the first seven races (2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017). Sebastian Vettel won in 2013, and Kimi Raikkonen took a popular victory in 2018. Valtteri Bottas won in 2019 before the race was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. Max Verstappen then claimed three consecutive wins from 2021 to 2023 before Charles Leclerc won in 2024 and Verstappen returned to the top step in 2025. The lap record stands at 1:36.169, set by Charles Leclerc in 2019. The qualifying record is 1:32.029, set by Valtteri Bottas that same year.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for the 2026 United States Grand Prix are available through the official Circuit of the Americas website and authorised resellers including F1 Experiences. Options range from three-day general admission passes to premium grandstand seats at key vantage points around the circuit. The event regularly draws record-breaking crowds, with the 2022 edition attracting approximately 440,000 fans across three days. Hospitality packages are also available for those seeking premium experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the United States Grand Prix start?
The 2026 United States Grand Prix weekend runs from 23 to 25 October, with the race on Sunday 25 October.
Where is the United States Grand Prix held?
The race is held at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, USA.
How can I watch the United States Grand Prix?
In the US, the race is exclusively on Apple TV. In the UK, it is live on Sky Sports F1. F1 TV Pro is available in many other markets worldwide.
Who won the United States Grand Prix last year?
Max Verstappen won the 2025 United States Grand Prix for Red Bull, ahead of Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc.