The Circuit of The Americas has added a record-breaking attraction to its Formula 1 United States Grand Prix preparations, unveiling the world’s largest cowboy hat just days before the 2026 race weekend. The enormous structure, created in partnership with Austin-based Western apparel brand Tecovas, has officially entered Guinness World Records following a certification ceremony at COTA on 19 October.
The new landmark combines Texas identity with a practical experience for racegoers. Measuring more than 14 metres in length, the giant cowboy hat will provide a gathering place for spectators, with a bar operating underneath it throughout the Grand Prix weekend. The attraction will be accessible to all ticket holders, adding another feature to the festivities surrounding the 2026 United States Grand Prix at Austin.
World’s largest cowboy hat at COTA earns Guinness World Record
Guinness World Records representatives officially certified the installation on 19 October 2026, during the build-up to the Formula 1 race. The achievement gives Circuit of The Americas a distinctive new landmark inspired by one of the most recognisable symbols of Texas and the American West.
The structure reproduces Tecovas’ Cattleman cowboy hat on a monumental scale. It measures 13.1 metres across, 14.3 metres from end to end and 5.2 metres in height, excluding the supporting poles.
Creating an installation of this size required a steel frame covered with fibreglass and foam. The fibreglass exterior has been finished to imitate the texture of the original Cattleman hat, while the paint recreates its natural colour.
The design also incorporates branding applied using heat, including the outline of the Circuit of The Americas track and the Tecovas logo. These details connect the oversized hat directly to the Austin venue and the company responsible for the collaboration.
A giant cowboy hat with a practical purpose for F1 fans
Rather than serving purely as a decorative landmark, the record-breaking installation has been designed as a social space for spectators attending the Grand Prix. A bar will operate beneath the structure, allowing visitors to gather, find shade and enjoy the atmosphere during the weekend.
Access will be available to every ticket holder, making the new attraction part of the wider experience at COTA rather than an exclusive installation reserved for selected guests.
The circuit has increasingly emphasised the importance of creating a distinctive destination beyond the racing itself. Its programme of events includes Formula 1, MotoGP, NASCAR and the FIA World Endurance Championship, with the new installation adding another recognisable feature to the venue.
For Formula 1 supporters, the giant hat also adds a distinctly Texan element to a weekend already centred on one of the championship’s established American circuits. Fans interested in the sporting history of the venue can explore the Circuit of The Americas F1 records and statistics, including its previous Grand Prix results and historical achievements.
COTA and Tecovas prepare Haturday celebration for 24 October
The unveiling forms part of an ongoing partnership between COTA and Tecovas, with both organisations seeking to celebrate Austin’s character and traditional Western craftsmanship.
To mark the installation, the two partners will organise the second annual Haturday on 24 October, during the United States Grand Prix weekend. The event will feature exclusive activations and activities intended to provide spectators with a memorable race-day experience.
COTA President Bobby Epstein welcomed the achievement, explaining that Texas was the natural location for a cowboy hat of this scale and that the circuit offered an ideal setting to introduce it to visitors from around the world.
Epstein described the installation as an impressive artistic creation with a useful function, emphasising its role as a place where supporters can meet, escape the sun and experience traditional Texas hospitality. He also highlighted the shared pride that COTA and Tecovas have in Austin, their appreciation of craftsmanship and the importance of the partnership in bringing the attraction to life.
With Guinness World Records certification secured and Haturday approaching, the giant cowboy hat is set to become one of the most recognisable off-track attractions of the Austin race weekend. The 2026 United States Grand Prix takes place as part of the Formula 1 calendar, giving international fans another opportunity to experience the distinctive atmosphere of COTA and its Texas surroundings.
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