Circuit of The Americas and Carlyle Enter into Strategic Partnership to Support Next Phase of Growth
Capital will support the expansion of COTA’s year-round hospitality and entertainment offerings while the venue remains locally owned and operated
AUSTIN, TX and NEW YORK, NY – August 24, 2026 – Circuit of The Americas (“COTA”) and global investment firm Carlyle’s (NASDAQ: CG) Global Credit platform today announced a strategic partnership that will help COTA expand beyond racing into new year-round experiences for Central Texas. Under the partnership, which is designed to build on the economic momentum Formula 1 has brought to the region since COTA opened, Carlyle Global Credit, led by Carlyle’s Credit Opportunities strategy, will provide capital to accelerate the opening of COTALAND and to fund additional destination experiences, including a planned water park and, longer term, an on-premises resort.
Since hosting its first Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, COTA has grown into a year-round sports and entertainment destination anchored by the nation’s highest-attendance single-weekend sporting event. The campus also includes Austin’s primary large amphitheater and will soon open COTALAND, a theme park featuring 34 attractions and experiences. Built by Central Texans, COTA will remain locally owned and operated, and its ownership structure will not change as part of the partnership.
“We are proud of the Texas hospitality with which our community has welcomed guests from around the world,” said Bobby Epstein, Chairman of Circuit of The Americas. “This partnership will provide additional resources to advance COTA’s next phase of growth, attract more visitors to Central Texas and create new experiences for our community and fans beyond race weekends. Carlyle’s experience in Formula 1 through its partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing has given the firm a strong understanding of COTA, our growth and the community that has supported us.”
COTA estimates that the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix generates annual local economic activity equivalent to approximately two Super Bowls, supporting jobs and small businesses across Del Valle, Austin and Central Texas. Building on that impact, COTA and Carlyle aim to grow annual visitation to as many as three million guests by 2030 through an expanded range of experiences beyond race weekends. That growth is expected to support additional job creation and infrastructure investment in a historically underserved part of the city, while creating new places for families and friends to gather and make memories—what COTA describes as “a playground for today, making memories forever.”
“COTA has established a distinctive sports and entertainment destination in one of the country’s most dynamic markets,” said Benjamin Fund, Partner at Carlyle. “This partnership reflects Carlyle’s ability to deliver scaled, privately negotiated capital solutions that support the next growth phase for established businesses and assets across the sports, media and entertainment ecosystem. We are pleased to partner with the COTA team to advance the expansion of its year-round offerings and look forward to supporting them in the years to come.”
Carlyle’s Credit Opportunities strategy within the firm’s Global Credit platform seeks to provide highly structured and privately negotiated solutions across the capital structure to family, founder, and management-owned businesses, sponsor-backed companies, and special situations, with a focus on long-term value creation. Carlyle’s Global Credit platform has $211 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2026.
Lazard acted as sole financial advisor and Sidley Austin LLP acted as legal advisor to Circuit of the Americas LLC. DLA Piper and A&O Shearman acted as legal advisors to Carlyle.
About Circuit of The Americas
Circuit of The Americas is one of the premier destinations for sports and entertainment in the US. Located on more than 1,500 acres in Texas, COTA is the first and only purpose-built Formula 1 circuit in the United States and home to the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, MotoGP, NASCAR, FIA World Endurance Championship and major concerts and events throughout the year. Beyond the track, the property continues to grow with karting, mini golf, driving experiences, concerts throughout the year at Germania Insurance Amphitheater, the iconic COTA Observation Tower, T11 Car Community, and COTALAND, Austin’s first and only family adventure theme park.
About Carlyle
Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit and Carlyle AlpInvest. With $485 billion of assets under management as of June 30, 2026, Carlyle’s purpose is to connect people, ideas and capital to fuel growth for companies and performance for investors. Carlyle employs more than 2,500 people in 28 offices across four continents. Further information is available at www.carlyle.com. Follow Carlyle on X at @OneCarlyle and LinkedIn at The Carlyle Group.
Media Contacts
Circuit of The Americas
Allie Stone
1-512-497-9333
Carlyle
Brittany Bensaull
Phone: +1 (212) 813-4839
Prosek for Carlyle
Ben Howard
914-552-4281