Our Austin

COTALAND Opened Its Theme Park at Circuit of the Americas

The new Southeast Austin attraction features over 30 rides and offers public hot laps on the active F1 track.

Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Theme Parks

Bold vector editorial illustration of a stylized roller coaster track against an open sky, representing a new theme park in Austin.
The COTALAND theme park has officially opened at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, offering thrill-seekers access to a new roller coaster and F1 track driving experiences. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Southeast Austin families and thrill-seekers can now visit COTALAND, a new theme park that opened at the Circuit of the Americas. The expansion aims to serve as a year-round destination for visitors while generating over 1,000 local jobs.

Why it matters

The park brings a permanent new entertainment option to the area, marking a significant expansion for the Circuit of the Americas site. Developers designed the attraction to maintain steady visitor traffic throughout the year, adding a major recreational hub to the regional economy.

The park launch created over 1,000 jobs and debuts with more than 30 rides and attractions. Officials have not yet projected total annual attendance figures for the new site.

The players

COTALAND

A new theme park located at the Circuit of the Americas in Southeast Austin.

Circuit of the Americas

The site of the Formula 1 track that now hosts the permanent COTALAND theme park.

The details

Located at the Circuit of the Americas, the park features the Circuit Breaker, a tilt coaster that highlights the new facility. Guests can choose between Saturday or Sunday grand opening events, with the option to purchase a $175 add-on for high-speed hot laps around the active Formula 1 track. This unique feature makes the facility the only permanent site in the United States to offer such a ride on a professional-grade track.

Timeline

  1. September 26, 2026: Grand opening event from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

  2. September 27, 2026: Grand opening event from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Texas Context

The opening of COTALAND marks a major shift for the Circuit of the Americas, evolving the facility from a motorsports-only venue into a permanent year-round theme park. This expansion follows the pattern of large-scale entertainment infrastructure growth across the Austin area.

Visitors can attend the grand opening this weekend, with Saturday tickets priced at $99 and Sunday tickets available for $65. Those interested in the Hot Lap experience should factor in the additional $175 fee when planning their visit to the Southeast Austin site.

The takeaway

COTALAND brings a unique mix of traditional rollercoasters and high-speed driving experiences to the city. Potential guests should compare Saturday and Sunday ticket pricing to determine the best time for their visit.

Further reading

For more on new recreational developments in the area, check our coverage of Theme Parks.

Live Poll

Do you believe large theme park expansions provide positive economic growth for your local community?