UT Longhorns, Austin FC, Formula 1, and everything sports in the Live Music Capital. Austin is a sports town now — and it's only getting bigger.
4 national championships (1963, 1969, 1970, 2005). Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium: 100,119 capacity (top 10 in the world). The most valuable college football program in America. "The Eyes of Texas" after every game. Bevo the longhorn steer on the sideline.
Texas joined the SEC in 2024, leaving the Big 12 after 28 years. Now competing against Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and the best in college football. The Red River Rivalry (vs Oklahoma) continues at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas every October.
Arrive early. Tailgating on San Jacinto Blvd. Burnt orange everywhere. "Texas Fight" from the Longhorn Band. Bevo runs onto the field. 100,000+ fans singing "The Eyes of Texas" at the end. There is nothing like a Saturday in Austin in the fall.
Season tickets: waitlist is long. Single game: StubHub, SeatGeek ($50-500+ depending on opponent). SEC games are premium. Arrive 2 hours early for parking. Uber/rideshare is easier. Scholz Garten is the classic pre-game spot.
Austin FC joined MLS in 2021. Verde & Black. Q2 Stadium (20,738 capacity) in North Austin. Matthew McConaughey is part-owner. The supporters' group (Los Verdes, La Murga, Austin Anthem) bring incredible energy. The stadium atmosphere is electric.
Brand new, purpose-built soccer stadium. North Austin near The Domain. Safe standing section (supporters' south end). Great food and beer. Easy access from Parmer Lane. Parking available but rideshare recommended. The best new stadium in MLS.
Supporters march to the stadium from nearby bars. Hopsquad Brewing is the pre-match spot. Green smoke, drums, chanting from minute 1. A scarf is your ticket to fitting in. Verde is the color. Austin adopted this club fast and hard.
The $400M, 3.4-mile track in southeast Austin. Built for F1 in 2012. Hosted every US Grand Prix since. Turn 1 (the 133-ft hill) is iconic. Also hosts MotoGP, NASCAR, concerts, and other events year-round. 400,000+ attend the F1 weekend.
Usually October. 3 days: practice, qualifying, race. Friday is the least crowded. General admission gives access to most viewing areas. Grandstands: Turn 1, Turn 15, and Main Grandstand are the best seats. Concerts Saturday and Sunday night (past acts: Eminem, Billy Joel, Ed Sheeran).
Buy tickets early (prices rise). Shuttle from downtown ($25-40 round trip) beats driving. Bring sunscreen, hat, ear protection, comfortable shoes. Food inside is pricey — eat before. Download the F1 app for live timing. The vibe is an international festival that happens to include racing.
Moody Center (15,000 seats, opened 2022). The most state-of-the-art arena in college sports. Kevin Durant's alma mater. Also hosts concerts (Adele, Bad Bunny). Downtown location, easy to get to. Basketball is surging at Texas.
UFCU Disch-Falk Field. 6 national championships. Incredible atmosphere for college baseball. $10-20 tickets. Friday and Saturday nights in spring. One of the best college baseball experiences in America.
Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. Dell Diamond in Round Rock. Affordable family entertainment ($12-25). Dollar hot dog nights. Fireworks. A great summer evening in the Austin metro.
NBA G League affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs. H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. Cheap tickets ($10-20). See future NBA players. Fun, affordable basketball. Good for families.
Austin is a running/cycling city. Capital 10K (biggest 10K in TX, March). Austin Marathon (February). Driveway Series cycling races. Trail running in the Greenbelt. Town Lake trail has runners at all hours. If it's a sport you can do outdoors, Austin does it.
50+ courses in the metro. Avery Ranch, Falconhead, Grey Rock, Wolfdancer (Hyatt Lost Pines). Public courses: Lions Municipal (oldest in TX, historic), Jimmy Clay/Roy Kizer, Hancock (9-hole, established 1899). Year-round golf weather (mostly).
Since 1866. The oldest continuously operating business in Texas. THE Longhorn football watch spot. German biergarten. Pitchers of beer, pretzels, and 100,000 fans. Tradition incarnate.
Multiple locations. Austin-born sports bar chain. 25+ sauces. Wall-to-wall TVs. The best wings in Austin. Packed on NFL Sundays and UT Saturdays. Loud, fun, sticky floors. As it should be.
South Lamar. Neighborhood sports bar with 40+ TVs, great food (the burger is legit), cheap beer, and a relaxed vibe. Less chaotic than Pluckers. The locals' choice for watching games.
East Austin. Austin FC's unofficial home bar. Soccer-focused but shows all sports. Great beer selection, outdoor patio. The place to be on Austin FC match days. Verde everywhere.