The Texas-Georgia Formula 1 race will make Austin expensive this week

After two weekends of music, food and fun, the city of Austin is in for more hectic days at the end of this week.

The Austin City Limits Music Festival brought hundreds of thousands of fans to Zilker Park from October 4th to 6th and October 11th to 13th to watch headliners Chris Stapleton, Dua Lipa and Tyler the Creator perform. The Texas capital could potentially draw an even bigger crowd this weekend as fanatics will flock to Austin for two of the biggest events on the state’s sports calendar this year.

The top-ranked University of Texas football team hosts No. 5 Georgia in the biggest SEC matchup yet in Austin on Saturday at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Football is the preview of Sunday’s 2024 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, which will draw the attention of racing fans around the world to the Circuit of the America racetrack in Austin. With so much to offer, here’s what you need to know.

When/Where: Saturday, Oct. 19, 6:30 p.m

How to watch: ABC/ESPN+

Tickets: Sold out on Texas website. Resale tickets are available on StubHub starting at $403.

What’s at stake: Texas’ first 7-0 start since 2008 and undefeated SEC record are on the line. Meanwhile, at 5-1, Georgia’s hopes of a conference title could be dashed by another loss as coach Kirby Smart takes his team to Austin for the first time.

Players to Watch: Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers returned Saturday against Oklahoma after missing the previous two games with an oblique injury. The junior and former Heisman Trophy favorite didn’t get off to a good start, throwing an interception on the third play of the game. But Ewers completed 20 of his next 28 passes, landing both in the air and on the ground in Texas’ 34-3 win over its Red River rival.

The Longhorns will have another talented signal-caller in Carson Beck from Georgia. The senior ranks eighth nationally with 303 passing yards per game and has a 68 percent completion rate. Beck has some momentum heading into Austin after rushing for a career-high 459 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday’s 41-31 win over Mississippi State.

When: Sunday, Oct. 20, 2 p.m

Tickets: Race day tickets are not available in Formula 1, but three-day tickets for all celebrations are available from $1,289. Sunday general admission tickets are available for resale starting at $208 on StubHub.

What’s at stake: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen could become the second driver, alongside Lewis Hamilton, to win the US Grand Prix four times in a row during his 13-year COTA career. Verstappen is also aiming for his fourth consecutive F1 title and has a 52-point lead in the drivers’ standings. The 27-year-old Dutchman can’t lose that lead in Austin, but a poor weekend and a strong performance from McLaren driver Lando Norris could certainly see it reduced.

Drivers to watch: Norris has been Verstappen’s main rival this season, taking points from the world championship leader in the last four races. The 24-year-old Briton is fighting for his first career F1 title and, along with teammate Oscar Piastri, has led McLaren to a 41-point lead in the constructors’ championship. Piastri could also have a chance of winning after podium finishes in his last three races, including a victory in Azerbaijan on September 15.

It will definitely cost you. The average price per night for a three-star hotel this weekend is $679. According to Booking.com, a four-star hotel costs up to $1,204.