COTA Announces Sting and Eminem as F1 Grand Prix Performers

Sting and Eminem play COTA on October 18 and 19 (Courtesy of Circuit of the Americas)

After teasing a lineup so “spectacular” organizers were willing to buy back early bird tickets – allowing fans to actually make a profit – Circuit of the Americas has announced the performers for this year’s Formula 1 United States Grand Prix.

Sting and Eminem will headline the racing event, which goes down October 18-20.

Single-day tickets to Friday of the Grand Prix, which starts with a practice race before Sting wraps up, start at $89. Eminem plays after the F1 Sprint on Saturday; tickets for that day start at $179. Three-day passes go for $389. Find more ticketing information at Circuit of the Americas’ website.

Earlier this month, COTA launched a Grand Prix buy-back program, offering to buy ticket-holders’ early bird three-day GA passes ahead of the lineup announcement. “We believe this year’s Formula One Pirelli United States Grand Prix Weekend is going to be spectacular – so much so that we are confident in the strength of this year’s entertainment lineup – set to be announced on April 29th – that we are offering to buy back previously sold ‘early bird’ general admission grounds passes at a profit,” the race track wrote.

The buy-back program runs until May 6. COTA is offering $350 for the passes, which originally sold for $299.

Instagram comments on the initial buy-back program post and the lineup announcement were largely negative, with followers either accusing organizers of in-house scalping or criticizing the much-hyped concert bill. When asked for comment by the Chronicle, COTA’s VP of Marketing & Communications Allie Stone said:

“Eminem and Sting are two music legends and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome them to the USGP. These are can’t-miss performances and we’re proud to share the excitement with an expected 80,000 fans per night at the Germania Insurance Super Stage.”