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NCAA FBS

Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial StadiumAustin, Texas

Texas

👥
Capacity
100,119
🏆
Conference
SEC
📅
Opened
1924
🌱
Surface
FieldTurf

📖About Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium

Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium stands as a monument to Texas football and to the state's veterans. Located on the Austin campus, it's one of the largest stadiums in the country and hosts one of college football's most passionate fan bases.

🏛️Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium History

Origins

Built in 1924 as Texas Memorial Stadium to honor Texans who served in World War I, it was renamed in 1996 to honor legendary coach Darrell Royal, who won 3 national championships with the Longhorns.

Major Renovations

1972Upper deck construction increased capacity significantly
1999North end zone enclosed
2008$27M Godzillatron video board installed (largest at the time)
2025South end zone renovation completed for SEC debut

Notable Moments

Dec 6, 1969Game of the Century: Texas beat Arkansas 15-14 for national title
Jan 4, 2006Vince Young's Rose Bowl run, though played in Pasadena
Oct 19, 2024First SEC home game vs Georgia

🎟️Visiting Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium

Best Seats

The west side provides shade for afternoon games. Student sections (formerly south end zone) are among the loudest. Premium seating in the new south end zone opened in 2025.

Parking Tips

Campus parking is extremely limited. State lots and downtown garages fill fast. Consider rideshare or the MetroRail to UT campus. Tailgating on 23rd Street and San Jacinto.

Game Day

Experience "Big Bertha" (the world's largest bass drum) and the Hook 'Em Horns hand sign. Bevo (live longhorn mascot) parades before kickoff. Post-game, visit Sixth Street for nightlife.

🗺️Local Recommendations

🍺Bars & Drinks

Scholz Garten

$$

Classic German biergarten since 1866. Traditional gathering place for Longhorn fans with classic gameday atmosphere.

📍 0.5 miles1607 San Jacinto Blvd

💡 Try the Reuben fries. Outdoor seating transforms into a tailgate.

Crown and Anchor Pub

$$

Popular sports-watching spot near campus. Great burgers and comfortable atmosphere.

📍 0.3 miles2911 San Jacinto Blvd

💡 Chili cheese fries are legendary. Arrives early on gameday.

Posse East

$

Underrated bar with affordable pitchers and surprisingly good food menu. Many TVs for watching games.

📍 0.4 miles2900 Duval St

💡 Try the sheriff sandwiches and Mexican plates.

🍽️Restaurants

Pluckers Wing Bar

$$

Austin original since 1995. Famous for wings with creative sauces and dry rubs.

📍 0.5 miles2222 Rio Grande St

💡 The West Campus location is the original. Gameday favorite for students.

Hole in the Wall

$

Classic dive bar since 1974 with good service and Texas-style chili.

📍 0.4 miles2538 Guadalupe St

💡 Great live music venue too. A Drag institution.

Texas Chili Parlor

$

Austin classic for chili lovers. Multiple heat levels and a casual atmosphere.

📍 1 mile1409 Lavaca St

💡 Order the chili "XXX" if you dare.

🏨Hotels

AT&T Hotel and Conference Center

$$$

Premier on-campus hotel steps from the stadium. Longhorn-themed luxury and quiet rooms.

📍 0.5 miles1900 University Ave

💡 Books up fast. The courtyard is a great spot for meeting fellow fans.

🎭Attractions

UT Tower & Littlefield Fountain

$

The iconic 307-foot tower glows orange after victories. The fountain offers a grand view of the Capitol building.

📍 0.4 miles2400 Inner Campus Dr

💡 The Best photo spot on campus. See the tower lit up at night after a win.

Blanton Museum of Art

$

The largest university art museum in the US, housing over 18,000 works spanning ancient to contemporary, including a celebrated European paintings collection and the outdoor Ellsworth Kelly chapel Austin.

📍 0.3 mi200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Austin, TX 78712

💡 Admission is free every Tuesday and Thursday; Saturdays the museum stays open until 8 pm, making it a great pre-game or post-game option.

Texas State Capitol

Free

The 1888 Renaissance Revival statehouse is the largest in the US by square footage — free guided tours run every 15–30 minutes through the stunning rotunda and legislative chambers.

📍 1.5 mi1100 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701

💡 Self-guided tours are available during all open hours; the Capitol grounds offer a free scenic walk up Congress Avenue with views of the dome.

Bullock Texas State History Museum

$$

Three floors of immersive galleries chronicle the full sweep of Texas history from pre-Columbian Indigenous cultures through the Republic of Texas era to the 20th century, plus an IMAX theater.

📍 1 mi1800 N. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701

💡 The first Sunday of each month is H-E-B Free First Sunday with no admission charge for gallery access; a festival-themed temporary exhibition ('Texas Festivals: Creating Community Through Celebration') is on view through September 27, 2026.

Barton Springs Pool

$

A three-acre, spring-fed natural swimming hole inside Zilker Park that holds a constant 68–70°F year-round — one of Austin's most iconic outdoor landmarks and a beloved local institution.

📍 4 mi2201 William Barton Dr., Austin, TX 78746

💡 Arrive early on weekends to secure a spot on the grassy banks; the pool is closed Thursdays from 9 am–7 pm for maintenance.

🅿️Parking Options

🏢

Manor Garage

$40
Garage📍 0.2 miles

💡 Closest public parking to the stadium. Sold on a game-to-game basis.

🏢

Brazos Garage

$40
Garage📍 0.5 miles

💡 Good alternative if Manor is full. Straight walk to the North end zone.

🅿️

East Campus Lots

$20
Lot📍 1 mile

💡 Cheaper option east of I-35 with a dedicated shuttle to the stadium.

🎉

23rd Street Tailgate

Varies
Tailgate📍 0.2 miles

💡 Popular tailgating area. Street parking is first-come, first-served.

Suggest a Tip

Know a great bar, restaurant, hotel, attraction, or parking spot near Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium? Share it with us.

Stadium Rankings

Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium ranks among the venues tracked on Fan Stamp as the 7th-largest and the 34th-oldest.

🔥Texas Rivals

Closest Stadiums to Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium

Frequently Asked Questions About Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium

What is the capacity of Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium?
Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium has a seating capacity of 100,119.
Where is Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium located?
Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium is located in Austin, TX.
What team plays at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium?
Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium is the home stadium of Texas in the SEC.
When was Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium built?
Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium opened in 1924.
Where are the best seats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium?
The west side provides shade for afternoon games. Student sections (formerly south end zone) are among the loudest. Premium seating in the new south end zone opened in 2025.
What are the best parking tips for Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium?
Campus parking is extremely limited. State lots and downtown garages fill fast. Consider rideshare or the MetroRail to UT campus. Tailgating on 23rd Street and San Jacinto.
What type of surface does Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium have?
Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium has a fieldturf playing surface.
What stadiums are near Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium?
The closest stadiums to Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium are Jim Wacker Field at UFCU Stadium (29 mi), Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium (72 mi), Alamodome (75 mi), Kyle Field (86 mi), McLane Stadium (95 mi), Panther Stadium (105 mi).
Who are Texas's biggest rivals?
Texas's rivals include Arkansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma (Red River Rivalry), TCU, Texas A&M (Lone Star Showdown), Texas Tech (Battle for the Chancellor's Spurs).
How old is Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium?
Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium opened in 1924, making it 102 years old. It ranks #34 among the oldest stadiums in the country.

References

Content sourced from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and official team sites. Additional information verified against public sources.