Moody Center is the arena that gave Austin a true big-show stage: a 16,000-plus-seat venue on the University of Texas campus that doubles as Texas Longhorns basketball’s home court and one of the city’s largest concert rooms. If you’re headed to a game or a show there, the practical questions—where to park, what bags you can bring, how seating is laid out—matter as much as who’s performing.
This guide covers everything needed to plan a visit, from the venue’s history and capacity to parking garages, the clear bag policy, and how ticket pricing works for both concerts and basketball games.
Quick Answer
Moody Center is a 16,000+ capacity arena at 2001 Robert Dedman Drive on the UT Austin campus, home to Texas Longhorns basketball and a major concert venue operated by Oak View Group. Parking is available at several nearby garages (Manor, Trinity, and State Garages B, G, and R), a clear bag policy applies to all events, and tickets for both concerts and games are sold through the venue’s official box office and Ticketmaster.
Where Moody Center Is and How to Get There
Moody Center sits at 2001 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin, TX 78712, on the UT Austin campus just south of Mike A. Myers Stadium, on what used to be a parking lot before the arena was built. The location puts it within walking distance of downtown Austin and close to several UT campus garages.
Because the arena sits in an active construction zone near the MLK Boulevard bridge project, with the I-35 southbound exit to MLK permanently closed, arrive earlier than you normally would for a downtown Austin venue. The official site’s parking and directions page flags ongoing congestion around event times and recommends building in extra travel time.
Parking at Moody Center
Moody Center doesn’t operate its own surface lot; instead, attendees park in nearby UT campus garages and walk a few minutes to the venue. The closest option is the Manor Garage, which also has ADA parking, followed by the Trinity Garage (about a 7-8 minute walk), and State Garages B, G, and R, clustered south of 17th and 18th Streets.
Garage pricing varies by event and typically needs to be pre-purchased online rather than paid for on arrival—the Manor Garage in particular is pre-pay only on event days, with no drive-up payment. Because prices and open times change per event, check the specific show or game listing on the official Moody Center parking page before you go. ADA drop-off and pick-up is available on the northwest side of the building via Robert Dedman Drive.
Bag Policy
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Moody Center enforces a clear bag policy at all events. Permitted bags are clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags no larger than 14″ x 14″ x 6″, one-gallon clear resealable storage bags, and small non-clear clutches or wallets no bigger than roughly 5″ x 9″ x 1.5″. Diaper bags and medically necessary bags are allowed but will be inspected, and any items normally carried in a diaper bag need to go in a clear bag to pass security.
Backpacks, duffle bags, mesh or straw totes, grocery totes, and camera or binocular cases are not permitted. One exception to know: when the San Antonio Spurs play preseason or other games at Moody Center, the stricter Spurs bag policy applies instead, capping bags at 12″ x 12″ x 6″. When in doubt, leave the bag at home—every bag goes through security screening at entry regardless of size.
Tickets and Pricing
Tickets for both concerts and Texas Longhorns basketball games are sold through Ticketmaster and the venue’s official box office, with pricing set per event rather than a flat venue rate. As with most modern arenas, concert pricing uses tiered and dynamic pricing based on seat location and demand, so prices for the same show can shift as a tour sells; booking earlier in the on-sale window generally gets better seats and prices than buying close to the date.
For Longhorns basketball, single-game and season ticket pricing is handled through UT Athletics rather than the arena’s general box office, since the university retains its own ticketing for home games. For box office pickup, hours, and official resale guidance, use the Moody Center box office page—will-call pickup is typically available starting about an hour before an event or tip-off.
Seating Chart and Capacity
Moody Center’s bowl is configured differently depending on the event. Full end-to-end concerts can hold roughly 16,000-plus fans, while the basketball configuration—which curtains off part of the upper bowl behind one basket—seats closer to 10,763 for Longhorns games. Floor seating is added for concerts and removed for basketball, so a seat number or section that exists for one event type may not exist for the other.
For any specific show or game, use the interactive seating map on Ticketmaster or the artist’s official tour page rather than a generic chart, since the exact floor layout and section numbering can change by event type and production.
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.
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.
Moody Center Facts
Opened: April 20, 2022, after groundbreaking in December 2019. Cost: about $375 million, with a $130 million grant from the Moody Foundation, for which it’s named. Architect: Gensler. Address: 2001 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin, TX 78712. Capacity: about 16,223 for full-arena concerts; about 10,763 for UT basketball.
Photos
Take the dangerous peak off a loud show and keep the music sounding clear. They fit in a tiny case on your keychain.
Meets most arena and amphitheater clear-bag policies. Hands-free in the pit and quick through the gate.
Water on your back and hidden zip pockets against your body. Built for long festival days in crowds.
Moody Center Austin 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 concerts and roughly 10,763 in its basketball configuration.
Who plays at Moody Center?
It’s 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.
Where should I park for Moody Center?
Nearby garages include Manor Garage (closest, with ADA parking), Trinity Garage, and State Garages B, G, and R. Most require pre-purchased parking rather than pay-on-arrival, so book through the official parking page ahead of your event.
What is the Moody Center bag policy?
Clear bags up to 14″ x 14″ x 6″ (or a one-gallon clear resealable bag) and small non-clear clutches under about 5″ x 9″ x 1.5″ are allowed; backpacks, duffle bags, and non-clear totes are not. Spurs games at Moody Center use a stricter 12″ x 12″ x 6″ clear bag limit.
How do I buy tickets to a Moody Center event?
Concert tickets are sold through Ticketmaster and the venue’s official box office; Longhorns basketball tickets are sold separately through UT Athletics.
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