Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium sits at the heart of the University of Texas campus in Austin, serving as the home of the Texas Longhorns football program since November 8, 1924. Originally dedicated to the 198,520 Texans who served in World War I, the stadium was renamed in 1996 to honor legendary head coach Darrell Royal, who guided the Longhorns to three national championships and eleven Southwest Conference titles.
With a seating capacity of 100,119, DKR ranks as the seventh largest stadium in the United States and one of college football’s most iconic venues. The stadium set an all-time attendance record of 105,215 on October 19, 2024, when Texas hosted the Georgia Bulldogs in a marquee SEC showdown — proof that a century after opening, the old War Memorial still roars.
Stats at a Glance
- Team: Texas Longhorns (NCAA / SEC)
- Location: Austin, Texas
- Opened: November 8, 1924
- Capacity: 100,119
- Surface: FieldTurf
- Attendance Record: 105,215 (Oct. 19, 2024 vs. Georgia)
- U.S. Ranking: 7th largest stadium in the United States
A Century of Expansions
The stadium opened in 1924 with room for about 27,000 spectators and has grown through more than a dozen major expansions. The north end zone was enclosed in 1926, a sweeping east and west stand project in 1948 pushed capacity past 60,000, and an upper deck added to the west side in 1971 brought the total above 77,000. A $27 million project completed in 2009 replaced temporary south end zone bleachers with permanent seating, lifting the official count to 100,119. Renovations continued through 2021 and again in 2023–2024, keeping the century-old facility competitive with newer arenas while preserving its historic character.
The home field record through late 2024 stands at 406–123–10, a winning percentage of .763 that underscores just how hostile DKR has been for visiting teams across ten decades of Longhorn football.
Named for a Legend
Darrell K Royal coached Texas from 1957 to 1976, finishing with a record of 167–47–5 and three national championships (1963, 1969, 1970). When the university renamed the stadium in his honor in 1996, it formalized what fans already knew: that this ground belonged as much to Royal’s legacy as to the Longhorns themselves.
Designed by architect Herbert M. Greene, the venue originally carried the name War Memorial Stadium before cycling through Memorial Stadium and Texas Memorial Stadium. The dual name it carries today — honoring both a coaching giant and the state’s World War I veterans — makes it one of the few stadiums in America that serves as a living monument on two fronts.
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Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium FAQs
What is the seating capacity of Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium?
The official seating capacity is 100,119, making it the seventh largest stadium in the United States as of 2024.
When did Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium open?
The stadium opened on November 8, 1924, with its formal dedication held on November 27, 1924.
Why does the stadium carry both ‘Darrell K Royal’ and ‘Memorial’ in its name?
‘Memorial’ honors the 198,520 Texans who served in World War I when the stadium was first dedicated in 1924. ‘Darrell K Royal’ was added in 1996 to recognize the legendary coach who won three national championships at Texas between 1963 and 1970.
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Photo: Brint03 / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.