COTALAND theme park opens at Circuit of the Americas in Austin

COTALAND, a new theme park at the Circuit of the Americas racetrack in Austin, Texas, opened to the public on September 26, 2026, with a grand opening weekend on September 26 and 27. The park had announced the date in August, and on September 29 it said it was officially open.

The park covers about 30 acres next to turns 19 and 20 of the track and has more than 30 attractions, from thrill rides to small children's rides. One of its roller coasters, Circuit Breaker, is a tilt coaster, which COTALAND says is the only one in Texas. Palindrome, an infinity shuttle coaster, runs forward and backward over an active road. Other attractions include the Cloud Flyer swing ride, which lifts riders 150 feet above the park, the Soggy Logger water ride, a carousel, and Hot Lap, an extra-cost ride around the race circuit in a sports car with a professional driver.

Years in the making

Plans for a full-size theme park at the circuit became public in 2021. Weather and shipping delays pushed the opening back, according to COTALAND marketing vice president Griffin Tendler, and some attractions were open to circuit visitors before the official opening. Bobby Epstein, chairman of Circuit of the Americas, said the park is creating more than 1,000 jobs.

Circuit Breaker made two unplanned stops with riders on board during the opening weekend, the longer one lasting about nine minutes; COTALAND said no one was hurt. The opening came about a month before the circuit's Formula 1 United States Grand Prix. A holiday event, Peppermint in the Park, is scheduled from November 20 to January 3.