Formula One has always been a rich person’s sport, but it has become equally as exclusive for fans trying to get tickets. Three-day passes for the U.S. Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin can easily cost $600 or more, and prices at other venues are just as steep. Some fans got an early-bird deal for this year’s race at COTA, paying just $299 for three-day passes, but now, track officials are offering a buy-back so they can re-sell the tickets later at a higher price.
COTA’s offering fans $350 to give back their tickets, hoping that it can raise the price after it announces popular music events during the race weekend. Most F1 races have far more going on off the track than on it, which COTA is banking on to make a quick buck.
The Drive contacted the track and received a response that, “Yes – the early bird ticket price was a limited-time offer for $299. We expect the value of the ticket to increase after the music headliners announcement on April 29.”
It’s worth noting that COTA doesn’t require that early buyers return their tickets, saying, “We hope all customers will want to hang on to their tickets and join us for the 2024 USGP, however, we were excited to announce this offer as a strong statement of our confidence in the entertainment programming this year.”
Ticketholders get access to headlining concerts on Friday and Saturday before the race, but the buyback isn’t particularly generous, so it’s likely that many will hold on to their three-day passes. Plus, $50 isn’t the most attractive prospect for people who were excited enough to jump on the early bird train.
[Image: motorsports Photographer via Shutterstock]
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