Circuit of the Americas Plans Water Park and Resort
The venue is partnering with Carlyle to boost annual visitors to 3 million by 2030.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Theme Parks
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Circuit of the Americas is moving forward with plans for an on-premises water park and resort following a strategic partnership with investment firm Carlyle. The move follows the late September 2026 opening of COTALAND, which currently offers more than 30 attractions.
Why it matters
The development aims to leverage the economic momentum from major events like Formula 1 to transform the site into a year-round tourist destination. Organizers hope these expansions will draw three million visitors annually by 2030, potentially reshaping the regional travel landscape.
The site currently features over 30 rollercoasters, games, and attractions, with officials targeting 3 million annual visitors by 2030 compared to current attendance levels. The specific completion date for the water park and resort remains unknown.
The players
Circuit of the Americas
A locally owned motorsports and entertainment venue located in Austin.
Carlyle
An investment firm providing capital to support new destination experiences at the venue.
COTALAND
The theme park at the Circuit of the Americas that features over 30 attractions.
The details
Circuit of the Americas remains locally owned and operated while utilizing capital from Carlyle to fund the water park and resort projects. This partnership is designed to expand the existing COTALAND theme park infrastructure into a comprehensive destination. Future development will continue on-premises, building upon the site’s established history of hosting NASCAR, Formula 1, and live music.
Timeline
Late August 2026: Announcement of the water park and Carlyle partnership.
Late September 2026: COTALAND theme park opened to the public.
2030: Target date to reach three million annual visitors.
The Texas Context
This development follows the established growth pattern of the venue and extends the economic development trend initiated by Formula 1 in Central Texas. It signals a move toward long-term tourism infrastructure similar to other regional entertainment destinations.
Visitors to the track can expect the addition of a water park and resort in the coming years. While these plans are long-term, the ongoing evolution of the area may eventually increase traffic and tourism-related activity in the region.
The takeaway
The venue is working to transition from a periodic event site into a year-round destination by 2030. Keep an eye on future master plan updates from the venue to see how the water park and resort will integrate with existing race-day traffic.
Further reading
You can find more coverage of local attractions and expansion projects in our Theme Parks section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MySA.
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