Taylor Swift at COTA

Taylor Swift races into Austin for huge concert during F1 weekend

Taylor Swift Minute Maid Park Houston CROPPED

Taylor Swift will headline this year's music portion of the U.S. Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas.

Photo by Jane Howze

Racing fans, rejoice: F1 is coming back. And it's bringing Taylor Swift.

The future of Formula 1 in Austin was uncertain due to financial concerns, but on Wednesday, Circuit of The Americas proudly confirmed that the United States Grand Prix will return in October 2016. And to celebrate, COTA is bringing out the big guns: Swift has been revealed as this year's music headliner.

"Since we first hosted this event in 2012, we have gained a lot of knowledge and insight that has allowed us to make significant annual improvements," said Bobby Epstein, chairman and CEO of Circuit of The Americas, in a press release. "By combining the excitement of Formula 1, the fun of the festival, and a full concert by Taylor Swift, we ensure fans can enjoy the greatest sports and entertainment event of the year."

Swift, who follows up Elton John's stellar 2015 performance, will take the stage on Saturday, October 22. This is the pop star's first appearance since the wildly successful 1989 World Tour.

The 2016 U.S. Grand Prix will take over the Circuit of the Americas from Friday, October 21 through Sunday, October 23. Three-day passes — which include attendance to Swift's concert — go on sale to the public at 10 am on Wednesday, April 6.

music sports concerts celebrities

Hot Headlines

Austin drops from world's 50 best cities in this week's top stories

Photo by Tracy Vu on Unsplash

Austin needs to put in some major work to improve its ranking for the 2026 report.

Editor's note: This week's top Austin news includes a tumble for Austin in a prestigious global ranking, two exciting openings, and the closure of a longtime Rainey Street bar. Get the details on our biggest stories of the week below.

And for festive ideas on how to spend the long holiday weekend, go here.

1. Austin drops out of top 50 'World's Best Cities' list for 2025. The Capital City took a tumble on this annual report of the "World's Best Cities," while Houston and Dallas rebounded.

2. New South Austin restaurant swims against current of expensive omakase. Tancho Sushi proves omakase doesn't have to break the bank, with "everyday" prices ranging from $24-$59.

Tancho Sushi offers affordable omakase. Photo courtesy of Tancho Sushi

3. Brewery named after famous character Old Gregg debuts in Austin suburb. Austin bar stars Matt Luckie and Max Moreland are taking it to the 'burbs with an expansive Pflugerville brewery, open now.

4. 7 Austin restaurants make OpenTable's top 100 for 2024. Austin is the only Texas city to have more than one restaurant on the list.

5. Rainey Street bar Icenhauer's closes after ongoing sales losses. One of Rainey Street's original bars has called it quits after a 14-year run.

austin news most popular stories world's best cities hot headlines