COTA offers fans profit with buy back of ‘early bird’ USGP tickets

Circuit of The Americas is offering to buy back United States Grand Prix general admission tickets purchased by “early bird” pass holders at more than face value as it prepares to announce its music acts.

The “early bird” GA sales period saw tickets sold at $299, but COTA will offer to buy back those tickets at $350 over the coming weeks, with the concert lineup set to be confirmed on April 29. COTA chairman Bobby Epstein says the aim of the initiative is to allow more than 10,000 fans a chance to cash in if they are unable to attend the race or simply want to make a profit on their earlier commitment.

“We know that when we announce our performers for this year’s grand prix weekend that those tickets are going to be worth well more than they paid,” Epstein said. “We think that’s an unusual thing.

“But it continues to be about delivering a spectacular event that pleases racing fans and music lovers and campers and basically anyone who looks forward to sharing time with friends or family at a non-stop, something-for-everybody, fun environment. That’s what we always try and do and I think we’re going to do it better than ever this year.”

The buy-back period will run from now until May 6, meaning fans can make a choice about whether to sell their tickets after the concerts are announced at the end of April. Epstein acknowledges that could lead to COTA being bypassed in search of even higher resale prices, but says the initiative guarantees fans a profit if they want it.