Is the AUSTIN GP the MOST PROFITABLE US F1 RACE?

I made a video examining the economics behind the 2025 Austin Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas, and in this article I want to walk you through the numbers, the on-track appeal and the fan experience that make Austin such a unique stop on the Formula 1 calendar. Having spent years photographing and covering these events, I’ve seen firsthand why many fans call COTA the “real F1” race in the United States. Below I’ll break down attendance, economic impact, ticketing, travel costs, track architecture and why I believe Austin is a very strong candidate for the most profitable F1 race in the US.

The numbers: attendance, economic impact and build cost

Start with attendance: last year more than 430,000 people passed through the gates across the three days. That puts Austin in the top three or four races on the calendar for crowd size. When we talk real revenue potential, raw attendance matters — ticket revenue, on-site spending, sponsor activation and ancillary events (concerts, hospitality, corporate packages) all trace back to how many people are there.

Visit Austin reports the direct economic impact from the race weekend at more than $480,000,000. That’s a substantial number, but it’s worth putting it in context: Las Vegas is reported to generate around $900,000,000 in economic activity — roughly double Austin’s number — despite having about three-quarters of the audience size Austin attracts. Miami, meanwhile, sits similar to Austin in reported impact.

Construction cost also plays into profitability. COTA is the priciest permanent circuit in the U.S. to build: roughly $400,000,000 went into the facility. That’s a big up-front cost, but the business model of a permanent facility is different to that of street races: you don’t pay for the enormous set-up and pack-down operations that Miami and Las Vegas face every year.

Why Austin’s configuration helps the bottom line

COTA has about 38,000 permanent grandstand seats, and when you factor in temporary stands and general admission areas the facility can host around 120,000 spectators on a single day. The bigger footprint equals higher capacity for corporate suites, premium seating, and weekend ticket bundles. Permanent infrastructure also allows additional year-round revenue: concerts, festivals and other events use the venue outside of race weekend.

Compare that to a street race: organizers in Miami and Las Vegas must build dozens of spectator structures, hospitality suites and safety barriers every year and then dismantle them. Those repeated costs reduce net profitability. Austin avoids a chunk of that recurring expense.

Hotels, travel and the race-weekend price surge

Every F1 event drives the local hospitality sector into premium pricing territory. When I checked rates on October 7, I found a mid-range property — the Cambria Hotel — charging $2,227 for four nights from Thursday to Sunday during race weekend. Off-peak that same four-night stay might be around $497. A five-star like the Fairmont, where many drivers and team guests stay, was around $7,800 for the same Thursday–Sunday block, versus an off-peak rate in the low thousands. You’re looking at four to five times low-season rates in many cases.

Hotels.com often shows rooms as “sold out” far in advance for major race weekends, but many properties simply hold inventory for later release or for direct bookings. If you’re planning a trip, dealing direct with hotels can sometimes unlock rooms that never made it to the aggregator sites.

Getting to COTA: distance, traffic and how it affects the experience

COTA sits about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from downtown Austin. On a good run the drive is roughly 25 minutes, but come race weekend that can double or triple with event traffic. That distance keeps downtown accommodation desirable and pushes up prices, but also allows Austin to spread the visitor load across hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues in the city — another factor that drives local economic impact.

Tickets, grandstands and the all-important Turn 1

Ticket pricing reflects demand and the quality of views. I found three-day general admission at about $500 US. If you want a grandstand seat the options vary wildly: a bargain seat at Turn 15 listed around $117.17, while Turn 1 grandstand pricing ranged from about $1,240 for lower-level seats to about $1,608 for mid-level. Premium views sell out quickly — and remember those prices often include access to the weekend’s concerts.

Turn 1 is where much of the lore of COTA is built. The climb to Turn 1 is 133 feet (about 40 meters) — roughly the height of a 10-story building. From the crest you can see perhaps 60–70% of the circuit. That long run up the hill into Turn 1 is one of the best places to watch overtakes, marshal drama and wheel-to-wheel heat on race day.

On-track action: overtaking, layout and the McLaren subplot

One reason fans rave about Austin is the racing. It’s one of the better circuits on the calendar for overtaking. The long back straight into Turn 12 and the approach up to Turn 1 provide excellent opportunities to pass. In the most recent running there were 69 overtakes during the race, with a three-year average of 59 overtakes — healthy numbers compared to street tracks like Monaco where passing is at a premium.

For 2025 there’s an extra storyline: the McLaren intra-team duel. Lando Norris sits 22 points behind teammate Oscar Piastri, and with the Constructors’ Championship picture evolving, the run to Turn 1 will be watched closely as the pair race without many of the team’s usual constraints. Close championships and intense team rivalries increase TV interest and viewership numbers — and that TV reach is another revenue driver beyond ticket sales and on-site spending.

Culture, atmosphere and the city beyond the track

Austin’s laid-back, music-driven culture complements the race. The venue is recognizable instantly — the 251-foot observation tower and two giant flags (the American and the Texas flag) are signature visuals. One of my favourite shots in F1 photography is backlit cars cresting at Turn 10 with the tower and flags in the background.

The city itself offers BBQ-heavy food culture, a busy nightlife and the two famous sections of 6th Street — one rowdier, one cleaner — which create a spectrum of evening options for visitors. If 6th Street feels a bit gritty, the South Congress area is a more sedate, upmarket option with boutique restaurants and bars.

Culturally the race has also been huge for personalities. Lewis Hamilton has won at COTA six times, Max Verstappen three times, and the circuit was where Hamilton secured the 2019 World Drivers’ Championship. Daniel Ricciardo developed a special relationship with the local crowd and the University of Texas — and brought some memorable, quirky moments to media day (including arriving on horseback in 2022; the horse had its own little badge and was called “Horsey McHorse”). Those kinds of moments build local affinity, social-media buzz and repeat visitation.

Concerts, theme parks and year-round use

Beyond the race there’s a big entertainment programme. Concerts have featured The Killers, Green Day, Ed Sheeran, Sting and many others. For 2025 the headliners listed include Kygo and Garth Brooks — concerts that add incremental revenue and make the weekend attractive to casual visitors who might not otherwise buy an F1 ticket.

There’s also a theme park under construction adjacent to the circuit: plans call for 30 rides over 30 acres and a 1,000-room hotel at some point. That kind of development expands the property’s year-round commercial potential, but it’s also capital intensive and will take time (current public estimates point to a 2026 opening). When the park is live, combining park access with race tickets will offer new hospitality packages and additional revenue streams for the site.

So — is Austin the most profitable F1 race in the US?

Short answer: likely yes, or at least very close. Let me explain why I lean that way.

• Permanent infrastructure: No annual set-up/pack-down costs for the circuit itself, unlike Miami and Las Vegas street circuits.
• High capacity: Large on-site capacity (120,000 on peak days) plus premium hospitality space drives higher ticket and corporate revenue potential.
• Strong fan base: Austin consistently draws passionate fans and repeat visitors who spend on hotels, dining and merchandise.
• Year-round monetisation: Concerts and future park/hotel developments create additional, non-race revenue streams.

That said, real profitability is opaque. Organisers and promoters typically don’t publish operating profits or detailed financials, and economic impact statements from city tourism boards highlight gross activity more than promoter profit. Vegas reportedly generates more gross economic activity overall, possibly because of the city’s leisure ecosystem, casino spending and international visitor mix. But when you weigh costs against revenues, Austin’s structural advantages make it a top contender for the most profitable U.S. race.

Final thoughts

Whether or not Austin is definitively the most profitable U.S. F1 race depends on confidential promoter accounts, which we don’t have. But the combination of massive crowds, fewer annual operating costs for the venue, strong ancillary entertainment and a passionate fan base makes a compelling case. More importantly for fans, COTA delivers great racing, overtaking opportunities and an authentic atmosphere that keeps people coming back.

How many people attended the Austin Grand Prix weekend?

Last year more than 430,000 people attended across the three days, placing Austin among the top three or four events on the F1 calendar for attendance.

What is the reported economic impact of the Austin race?

Visit Austin reported a direct economic impact of more than $480,000,000 for the race weekend.

How does Austin compare to Las Vegas and Miami economically?

Las Vegas is reported to generate around $900,000,000 in economic activity (about double Austin), while Miami’s reported impact is similar to Austin. However, Austin benefits from permanent infrastructure that reduces annual venue setup costs.

What are typical ticket prices for the Austin GP?

Three-day general admission has been around $500. Grandstand prices vary widely — examples include bargain seats near $117 and premium Turn 1 seats ranging from roughly $1,240 to about $1,608 depending on level.

Does Austin have good on-track action and overtaking?

Yes. The track is one of the better circuits for overtaking, with prime opportunities into Turn 12 and the uphill run to Turn 1. Recent races have featured 69 overtakes in one running and a three-year average of 59 overtakes.

Are hotels expensive during race weekend?

Yes. During race weekend many hotels increase rates significantly. Examples: a mid-range hotel was listed at about $2,227 for four nights (Thursday–Sunday) versus an off-peak rate near $497; a five-star property showed rates around $7,800 for the same block compared with low-season pricing in the low thousands.

Will future additions like a theme park affect profitability?

Potentially. A theme park, a 1,000-room hotel and other year-round attractions would expand revenue streams beyond the race weekend, although they require large capital investment and take time to mature.

Thanks for reading — whether you’re planning a trip to COTA or just following the championship from home, Austin delivers spectacle both on and off the track.