There are big changes coming to the SRO America calendar, and everything’s bigger in Texas, making it the perfect venue for the eight-hour signature race. In 2027, Circuit of The Americas will serve as the host of the Texas 8 Hour, ushering in a new chapter for the marquee round that combines both GT World Challenge America and Intercontinental GT Challenge competition. The move marks the latest evolution of the long-distance event that has become one of the most important fixtures within the American branch of the global series.
Scheduled for May 7th to 9th, 2027, it will serve as the second stop on the seven-round calendar that spans from coast to coast.
The roots originally trace back to California, where the inaugural California 8 Hours debuted at Laguna Seca in 2017. Created as North America's contribution to the Intercontinental GT Challenge, the race quickly established itself as a crucial stop within the global campaign and attracted top manufacturers, drivers, and teams to compete at a world-renowned circuit.
Following its successful run on the West Coast, the event entered a new chapter in 2021 when it relocated to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Indianapolis 8 Hour elevated the race's profile even further, combining the prestige of one of the most famous racing venues in the world with the global reach of the Intercontinental GT Challenge. Over the following years, the event became a cornerstone of SRO America's calendar, delivering championship-deciding battles while drawing competitors from around the world, including some of the most famous names in motorsports.
Now the race is making its way south to Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas. As the home base of SRO America, Circuit of The Americas has become one of the championship's most important venues. The state-of-the-art facility has consistently attracted increased fan attendance year over year and achieved record crowds in 2026. In addition, large grids and thrilling competition across SRO America's numerous series will continue to supplement the feature race.
“Nothing can top Indianapolis in terms of history, and we’ve had a wonderful six years with them,” said Stéphane Ratel, SRO Motorsports Group Founder and CEO. “COTA is comfortably GT World Challenge America’s biggest event but also a modern-classic venue loved by drivers and teams, so it makes perfect sense for the 8 Hour to find a new home there. The recent growth of America’s GT3 grid makes this a very exciting addition to the Intercontinental schedule.”
“Having competed in both the Intercontinental GT Challenge and GT World Challenge, I know firsthand the prestige and global significance of SRO competition,” echoed Andy Soucek, Vice President, Motorsports, Circuit of The Americas. “The IGTC brings together some of the most respected endurance races in the world and showcases the very best of GT3 racing. To see Circuit of The Americas join this championship is incredibly exciting. The Texas 8 Hour will establish COTA as the home of the only U.S. round of the IGTC and provide a world-class platform for teams, manufacturers and fans from around the globe.”
The Texas 8 Hour will continue to serve as a round on the global Intercontinental GT Challenge schedule, ensuring the event remains a global showcase for GT racing. The championship's international manufacturers and teams will once again have the opportunity to compete on North American soil as they pursue one of the most prestigious titles in global GT competition. The international series has long attracted some of the biggest names in motorsports across a wide variety of disciplines, including four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen, two and four-time two-time NTT IndyCar Series champions and Indianapolis 500 winners Will Power and Alex Palou, and even nine-time motorcycle Grand Prix World Champion Valentino Rossi, who claimed the Indy 8 Hour victory last season.
By bringing the event to Texas, SRO America continues the tradition of pairing world-class racing with top-tier venues. From the California 8 Hours at Laguna Seca, to the Indianapolis 8 Hour at the Brickyard, and now the Texas 8 Hour at Circuit of The Americas, the event has continually evolved while maintaining its status as one of the premier races in North America, and worldwide.
The next chapter begins in May 2027, when competitors from around the globe converge for the inaugural Texas 8 Hour in Austin for the latest installment in the race's distinguished history. Be part of the next chapter and get your Texas 8 Hour tickets now!