Circuit of The Americas is preparing an unmistakably Texan addition for Formula 1’s arrival in Austin, with a giant cowboy hat being completed ahead of the 2026 United States Grand Prix as the venue targets a new Guinness World Record.
The enormous structure is set to become more than a temporary decoration for the race weekend on October 23-25. COTA wants it to develop into another permanent attraction for visitors, reinforcing the Texas identity that has become an important part of the United States Grand Prix experience.
Fans heading to the event can find the complete 2026 United States Grand Prix schedule and Austin guide, with Formula 1 returning to its traditional three-practice format at COTA this season.
COTA targets a Guinness World Record with giant cowboy hat
Circuit of The Americas president Bobby Epstein explained that the idea developed from his desire to create a tourist attraction capable of becoming recognisable even when Formula 1 is not racing in Austin. A Guinness World Record offered the kind of distinctive feature he had in mind.
The concept ultimately took shape around Lone Star Land, one of COTA’s major fan areas. Rather than installing a conventional tent, Epstein proposed an enormous cowboy hat measuring 75 feet, or roughly 23 metres, that would immediately connect the attraction with its Texas surroundings.
The structure is being made from fibreglass and will contain a themed bar. Construction is close to completion, while a Guinness World Records representative is expected to inspect the attraction on Thursday, October 22, immediately before spectators begin arriving for the Grand Prix weekend.
Epstein expects the cowboy hat to remain at the circuit beyond the 2026 event. He indicated that the intention is for it to become a permanent and highly visible part of COTA rather than a one-off feature created solely for Formula 1 weekend.
Austin continues to embrace its Texas identity
The giant hat fits a tradition COTA has cultivated since joining the Formula 1 calendar. Austin’s race has repeatedly mixed the championship’s international image with recognisably Texan elements, creating an identity that extends beyond the action on the circuit.
One of the most memorable examples came in 2022, when Daniel Ricciardo arrived on horseback wearing boots, jeans, a cowboy hat and an American flag-themed jacket. Country singer Rob Baird accompanied the entrance while playing guitar, while Ricciardo’s horse even carried its own personalised pass under the name Horsey McHorseface.
The new attraction takes that theme to a much larger scale. COTA already has several instantly recognisable features, including the dramatic uphill approach to Turn 1 and its observation tower, which rises to approximately 76 metres. More information about the venue, its history and Formula 1 records can be found in the complete Circuit of The Americas guide.
2026 US GP entertainment extends beyond Formula 1
COTA is also preparing for another major crowd as the circuit attempts to deliver an entertainment programme extending well beyond the racing itself. Maroon 5 and Post Malone are scheduled to perform during the weekend, while the new COTALAND entertainment area is also due to open.
The strategy reflects Austin’s broader effort to make the United States Grand Prix a destination event rather than simply a Formula 1 race. The Grand Prix forms part of a 2026 season featuring three events in the United States, with Miami and Las Vegas joining Austin on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar.
If the giant cowboy hat receives official recognition, it will add another distinctive landmark to an event already closely associated with its host region. Guinness World Records currently does not list an official record for the world’s largest cowboy hat, giving COTA the opportunity to establish a new benchmark rather than simply surpass an existing one.
Before the Formula 1 cars take to the circuit on October 23, the first major result of the Austin weekend could therefore arrive away from the track, when COTA discovers whether its latest Texas-sized idea has officially earned world-record status.
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