How Taylor Swift Helped Save The U.S. Grand Prix

Photo: Taylor Swift (Instagram)

In 2015, the future of the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, was in doubt. Heavy rain from Hurricane Patricia made the race weekend difficult, and fewer fans showed up. 

With attendance dropping and state funding cut, the event was struggling. Circuit of the Americas (COTA) chairman Bobby Epstein needed a way to bring more people to the race.

In 2016, Swift agreed to perform a concert after the qualifying races. It was her only live show that year, and it drew in 80,000 fans. This boosted ticket sales and brought new energy to the event. A three-day pass to the race, including Swift's concert, started at $150. It was a big success, helping the race weekend attract nearly 270,000 people, more than the previous year.

Photo: Taylor Swift (Instagram)

The concert wasn’t just about getting more fans to the race. It also brought a new audience—young people, more women, and families. This helped change the type of fans that came to watch Formula One (F1) in the U.S. Over time, COTA became known for offering more than just racing, with other big artists like Justin Timberlake and Ed Sheeran performing in later years.


Taylor Swift’s concert helped secure the future of the U.S. Grand Prix, making it a key part of F1’s growing popularity in America. Source: The Athletic 


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