United States Grand Prix ⋅ Where to Watch
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With new Grand Prix in Miami and Las Vegas, which US F1 race is the best one to attend is up for debate. When it comes to views of the track though there’s no contest—COTA reigns supreme. The Circuit of the Americas elevation changes create ideal viewing and the best seats offer views of multiple corners and vast amounts of the track.
So the big question isn’t if you should go—but where to sit at the Austin circuit when you do. In this guide, I review and compare all the best grandstands at COTA. We’ll look at what you’ll see from each one, which offer shade or elevation, where to sit for the best photo opportunities, and how to get the most bang for your buck. If you’re heading to Austin and trying to figure out the best seats for the US Grand Prix, start here.
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COTA Seating Explained: What to Know Before You Choose a Grandstand
Before diving into individual grandstand reviews, it’s worth understanding a few key points about seating at COTA.
Grandstands vs. Bleachers
There are two broad categories of seats at COTA: grandstands and bleachers. Both can offer great views, but there are some key differences in comfort.
- Grandstands offer more comfort with molded, flip-down seats, back support, cup holders and more space.
- Bleachers are flat, bare metal benches that get hot under the Austin sun and are not highly rated for their comfort. These stands can feel a little cramped when full with minimal space to the front and rear.
Tip: Foam cushions are available to buy at the circuit for about $10 but bringing something with you is a good idea.
Are Upper Rows Worth It?
Which row you sit in can be just as important as choosing the right grandstand. For most grandstands, the view from the upper sections is often spectacular in the sheer vastness of what you can see.
However, lower rows in the same grandstand can be quite average. When booking, you’ll usually have the option to choose between upper and lower sections. Ticket prices reflect this, and it’s usually worth paying extra for the upper rows.
Best Grandstands at COTA
Start / Finish Straight – Main Grandstand and Trackside Bleachers
Grandstands on the main straight offer the best seats to enjoy the race build-up, the pitlane action and the podium ceremony. You’ll also be first in line for the track invasion come the end of the Grand Prix.
There are three sections in COTA’s main grandstand: Lower, Mezzanine and Club levels, as well as trackside bleachers to the sides of the stand. This gives fans with varying budgets the chance to experience being in the heart of the action at the US Grand Prix.
Main Grandstand – Lower
MID BUDGET
TV SCREEN
COVERED
RESERVED SEATS
Lower-level seats are about the closest you can get to the grid at COTA. This section lines the track from about the number 10 grid position to the final slots. For the frantic race preparations, the cars sitting on the track seem almost close enough to touch.
Once the sessions get underway though it can all be a bit of a blur. Besides the pit stops, you might end up watching the action on the giant screens rather than risk a neck injury trying to keep up with the cars on track.
The lower section is not covered, but it is shaded from the sun during the Grand Prix, leaving only the possibility of a rain shower to dampen your spirits.
Main Grandstand – Mezzanine
HIGH BUDGET
TV SCREEN
COVERED
RESERVED SEATS
Nicely elevated mid-way up the main grandstand, the view from the Mezzanine level lets you see further than the lower rows and is perfect for experiencing all the action on the start / finish straight.
Turn 1, though distant, is clearly visible thanks to the steep uphill nature of the circuit. Add to that a roof over your head and these are some of the best seats on the main straight.
Main Grandstand – Club
HIGH BUDGET
TV SCREEN
COVERED
RESERVED SEATS
A seat in the highest level of the grandstand offers a broad panorama over the start / finish straight, the pit complex and the last and first corners. Club ticket holders also enjoy a more exclusive experience with access to a nearby lounge offering food and drinks.
What’s not to love? Well, there’s no such thing as a free lunch and these premium nibbles are no exception, coming with an equally premium price tag. And that’s if you can get in — poor organization in past years has meant some guests have had to wait in line for a long time to access a packed lounge.
That doesn’t mean this option should be avoided, but it’s certainly worth keeping in mind and getting to the Club Lounge early. Alternatively, choose other seats for Sunday and make the most of the Club Lounge on Friday or Saturday when things are more relaxed.
Note: though most seats in Club level are covered, some aren’t. Row 6 upwards is under the roof so fans seated in the lower rows may still have to suffer Austin’s changeable weather.
Trackside Bleachers
MID BUDGET
TV SCREEN
COVERED
RESERVED SEATS
The main straight seats known as the trackside bleachers occupy an area to either side of the main grandstand. Facing the track, there are 3 blocks to the left (west) and 6 blocks to the right (east).
It’s the seats on the right of the stand that offer more desirable views. These seats line the first few rows of the grid and are closer to turn one. These reasons make them better seats than the west side bleachers and the more expensive Lower section of the main grandstand.
The trackside bleacher seats on the left are opposite parc ferme — where the post-race interviews take place — and the podium. Come the chequered flag, as others make the mad dash for the track invasion you can sit comfortably in your seat as you doff your Stetson to the top three finishers. On the downside, fans here don’t have a close-up view of the grid or the pit garages.
Turn 1 Grandstand
HIGH BUDGET
TV SCREEN
COVERED
RESERVED SEATS
BEST IN PRICE RANGE
Simply put, the Turn 1 Grandstand provides some of the best seats to watch the start of an F1 race, not just in Austin but anywhere. It can be an exciting, carbon-fibre-strewn melee into turn 1 on the first lap of a Grand Prix. COTA’s tight, uphill left-hander is no exception, but that’s far from the only benefit of this very special grandstand.
The steep 133-foot run up the hill to turn 1 gives this elevated vantage point a dramatic view, and not just of the first corner. The view stretches from the final turn to turn 2 and includes the start / finish straight and the pit stops. There are also distant glimpses of the track all around the lap.
It’s possible to cheap out and get tickets for the lower seats and still have a great view, though upper rows are still better. About the only drawback of the T1 Grandstand is the not-so-giant giant screen opposite the grandstand. Luckily a digital leaderboard at the pitlane exit makes keeping up with position changes easy.
Tip: Bring a pair of binoculars to look at the screen, and for the abundant people-watching opportunities in the pitlane and on the grid.
Turn 4 Grandstand
MID BUDGET
TV SCREEN
COVERED
RESERVED SEATS
GOOD FOR PHOTOS
Inspired by Silverstone’s Maggotts / Becketts / Chapel section, the esses are an iconic part of the circuit. It’s not a common place for overtakes, but it is thrilling to watch Formula 1 cars show what they can do through this fast series of s-bends.
The stars ‘n’ stripes run-off area in the foreground and observation tower in the background lend the Turn 4 Grandstand a memorable view. These classic local landmarks lend a distinctive look and make any photos you take scream COTA.
The T4 Grandstand offers a side-on view of this sequence of corners that lets you watch the cars approach and roar away. To appreciate the downforce of an F1 car this is a phenomenal grandstand. Spring for upper rows if you can to get the biggest possible view, and for more comfort—these are some of the few seats at COTA that are covered.
Turn 9 Bleachers
LOW BUDGET
TV SCREEN
COVERED
RESERVED SEATS
BEST IN PRICE RANGE
The Turn 9 Bleachers are perfectly placed on the crest of a hill over the outer section of track near turn 9. With stellar views and a more affordable price tag than some more popular grandstands, these seats are an underrated gem.
Cars first appear down the hill from the exit of turn 7, as you look down on the racing from on high. Through a sequence of corners, the cars wind their way up to your level before they turn away and dart off downhill towards the turn 11 hairpin.
From here the long back straight carries them towards turn 12. Watching from a distance, the entire straight in sight, you can really appreciate how much distance an F1 car can cover in a few short seconds.
For the sheer expanse of the view in front of you, the variation in track, and the elevation changes, this is an engaging place to watch from. It only falls short because of the lack of wheel-to-wheel action at this part of the track.
At many circuits, this would be a hands-down favourite. But with the standard of grandstand views so high at the Austin circuit, the Turn 9 bleachers are merely a solid low-priced option.
Turn 12 Bleachers
MID BUDGET
TV SCREEN
COVERED
RESERVED SEATS
BEST IN PRICE RANGE
F1S CHOICE
If you’re looking for seats with a broad view over much of the circuit then Turn 12 Bleachers is one of the best grandstands at COTA. Fans here enjoy views of the track from turn 1, through the esses, right around to the final turn 20—a staggering 15 corners on a 20-corner race track.
While many parts of the track are distant and the cars pop in and out of view, the overall sense of being able to follow nearly a full lap from your seat makes this grandstand special. Seats in lower rows have a good view of the nearby corners. But to see further and maximize that incredible view it’s worth paying extra for the upper rows.
Adding to the appeal is the action directly in front of it. As one of the circuit’s prime overtaking spots, this tight left-hander at the end of the long back straight is where DRS passes often happen with drivers scrapping for position through turn 12 and the following corners.
The T12 grandstand isn’t without its downsides though. Between the hard, bleacher-style seating and the Texas sun beating down all day on these seats, there’s little in the way of comfort. It’s also quite far from the podium and fan zones. Still, if you’re after a panoramic view and reliable on-track action, Turn 12 is hard to beat.
Turn 15 Grandstand
HIGH BUDGET
TV SCREEN
COVERED
RESERVED SEATS
From the top level, this is another crowd-pleasing COTA view of multiple corners, and worth every cent. Sat at turn 15, high up in the stand you can follow the racing from the back straight where cars brake hard into turn 12, and overtakes are common.
The duelling often continues around the next 3 corner sequence before cars dart off and out of sight around turn 16. This section of the track is reminiscent of the stadium section at Hockenheim — one of the all-time greats of motorsport spectating.
From the lower rows of the Turn 15 Grandstand though, things are more average. From this lower vantage point you won’t be able to see much beyond turn 15 itself, and even that is a little underwhelming.
Wherever you are in the grandstand, comfort is a clear step up from the bleachers. Though it’s not covered, the sun shines on you more from the side and rear, not like the full frontal assault of the T12 grandstand. For fans wondering where to sit at Circuit of the Americas, with a balance of comfort and on-track action, Turn 15 is an excellent choice.
Turn 19 Bleachers
MID BUDGET
TV SCREEN
COVERED
RESERVED SEATS
Turn 19 is a solid all-rounder, offering a good option for those seeking a balance of view, convenience, and value. and offering a wide, sweeping view of the action. Though not known for overtaking, the wide, sweeping view gives fans a clear appreciation of just how planted F1 cars are through fast bends.
From here, you can see more than just Turn 19 itself. There’s a decent view of Turn 20 and the run to the finish line, plus distant glimpses of Turn 1. A large screen directly opposite the stand helps keep you connected to the rest of the race, while a rare feature at COTA—a roof—keeps you protected from the sun and rain.
One of T19 Grandstand’s strongest selling points is its location. Situated close to the Grand Plaza, it’s ideal for fans who like to explore in between sessions without trekking across the circuit. It’s also a convenient spot to be on Sunday if you plan to join the post-race track invasion, with pit entry and the podium area nearby.
Which COTA Grandstand Should You Choose?
Ultimately, the best seats at COTA will depend on the kind of race weekend you want and none of the popular grandstands are a bad choice. If you want maximum overtakes and a near-full-lap view, Turn 12 delivers—just don’t expect comfort. Turn 15 offers a similar panoramic sweep but with comfier seating and a touch more shade—just be sure to get an upper row. And for first-lap chaos and elevation, choose Turn 1.
Less popular, but well worth it are the Turn 19 Grandstand and Turn 9 Bleachers, offering a good balance of views and value. And for the start, the pits and the podium, the Main Grandstand, especially the covered Mezzanine and Club sections, puts you right in the thick of it.
Ready to lock in your spot? Visit our ticket partners to book your seats or head over to the US GP Tickets page to find out more.
About Me
I’m Danny, an incurable Formula 1 fan for over 35 years and founder of The F1 Spectator. My aim is to inform and inspire, arming you with helpful tips and advice for your next F1 trip.
