Moody Center is a multi-purpose arena on the University of Texas at Austin campus that opened on April 20, 2022, after groundbreaking in December 2019. Built at a cost of about $375 million and designed by architecture firm Gensler, the 2001 Robert Dedman Drive venue was funded in part by a $130 million grant from the Moody Foundation, for which it is named.
The arena serves a dual purpose: it is the home court for Texas Longhorns men’s and women’s basketball, replacing the aging Frank Erwin Center, while also functioning as one of Austin’s largest concert venues. Oak View Group operates non-university events and books touring acts, while UT retains dozens of protected dates each year for games and campus events.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Austin, Texas
- Type: Multi-purpose arena
- Opened: April 20, 2022
- Capacity: About 16,223 (full arena); about 10,763 for UT basketball
- Architect: Gensler
- Cost: About $375 million
- Famous for: Harry Styles’ record six-show residency in 2022
A New Home for Longhorns Basketball
Moody Center replaced the Frank Erwin Center as the on-campus arena for Texas Longhorns men’s and women’s basketball, giving the program a modern facility built specifically for game-day atmosphere and broadcast production. The venue sits just south of Mike A. Myers Stadium on land that was previously a parking lot.
Under the arena’s operating agreement, the University of Texas retains a set number of protected dates each year for basketball games and university events, while Oak View Group manages the broader event calendar, including concerts and family shows.
One of Austin’s Top Concert Stages
Since opening with a John Mayer performance, Moody Center has hosted a steady lineup of major touring artists, including George Strait, Willie Nelson, and Kylie Minogue. Its highest-profile booking came in fall 2022, when Harry Styles played a six-show residency there, the most shows ever performed by a single artist at the venue.
With a total capacity of roughly 16,223, Moody Center ranks among the largest indoor concert venues in Central Texas, giving Austin a purpose-built arena option beyond its famous mid-sized clubs and outdoor amphitheaters.
Explore more: Explore more Music Venues.
Moody Center FAQs
When did Moody Center open?
Moody Center opened on April 20, 2022, after groundbreaking in December 2019.
What is the capacity of Moody Center?
The arena holds about 16,223 people for full-house events and roughly 10,763 in its basketball configuration.
Who plays at Moody Center?
It is the home arena for Texas Longhorns men’s and women’s basketball and also hosts major touring concerts, including Harry Styles’ 2022 six-show residency.
Get More from Moody Center
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Moody Center, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo: ajay_suresh / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.