Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium: Guide for Visiting Fans

Austin is not a subway city, so get that out of your head now. The honest answer is that CapMetro buses are your best transit option, and they're actually pretty good on game day. Six high-frequency routes arrive every 15–30 minutes within walking distance of DKR on gameday. The most useful for visitors coming from downtown or South Congress are Routes 7, 10, 18, and 837, all of which run detoured routes that bring you right into the stadium zone near Dean Keeton and San Jacinto. Even with minor game-day disruptions, CapMetro is a great way to get to the games while avoiding the hassles of parking and traffic — use the Texas Game Day map as a guide.

If you're flying in, you're coming through Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), which is about 10 miles southeast of the stadium. Rideshare from AUS runs roughly 25–35 minutes to campus in normal traffic, but on game days give yourself 45–60 minutes minimum. Don't rent a car and expect to navigate the UT campus grid easily — the streets around the stadium go semi-chaotic by game time. If you do drive, I-35 is your main artery; exit at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard or Dean Keeton heading west toward campus.

Parking passes through Texas Athletics are sold out for the season; if available, individual game parking passes may be purchased in select lots and garages downtown through the Texas Facilities Commission. For most away fans, that means the secondary market or third-party apps. The following garages offer game-day parking for the public for $50 starting five hours before game time: Health Center Garage, Speedway Garage, and East Campus Garage.

Many DKR Stadium public parking lots and garages open five hours prior to game time, though there may be exceptions for certain lots. Parking for lots near DKR starts at around $15, with the price varying depending on the event and proximity to the stadium. The real move for away fans who want flexibility is to park near the East 6th Street corridor or the Convention Center and rideshare or walk — you'll save $20 and a lot of post-game sitting. Lot 20 is located about two blocks north of DKR Stadium (a 5–10 minute walk), with an entrance on the west side of Trinity Street. Buy any pass you can in advance; don't arrive expecting to find something cheap at the gate.

Your best bet as an away fan is to book somewhere in the West Campus or Hyde Park neighborhoods. You're a 10–15 minute walk from DKR without dealing with the worst of the post-game gridlock, and you'll be surrounded by enough bars and restaurants that you can decompress before fighting traffic. The Drag (Guadalupe Street along the west edge of campus) has options ranging from budget extended-stay spots to boutique hotels.

Downtown Austin, particularly around 6th Street or the Convention Center, puts you about a 25-minute walk or a very cheap rideshare from the stadium. It's more lively at night for post-game options and your accommodation is easier to reach after the game by simply walking away from campus rather than through it. Hotel prices surge on game weekends — expect to pay $200–$400+ for anything decent within two miles of campus. Book early; the big-brand games (Georgia, Alabama, now that Texas is in the SEC) sell out blocks months ahead.

Scholz Garten (1607 San Jacinto Blvd) is the mandatory first stop. Walking distance from DKR, Scholz Garten is famous for being packed on a UT game day and is the oldest operating business in Texas. It's a true beer garden — picnic tables, cold Lone Stars, and a crowd that's actually manageable because it spills outdoors. Even if you're wearing an opposing team's jersey, it's a pleasant enough spot before the hostility level rises at kickoff.

Posse East (2900 Duval St) is the dive bar that the football coaches apparently use too. This sports bar has developed a dedicated fan base by turning out bar food and Tex-Mex classics (especially the queso), drawing a mix of Texas sports fans, UT alums, and football coaches — and when there's a home game, you can even hear the crowd when the Longhorns score.

Little Woodrow's (520 W. 6th St.) is your best bet if you want a big outdoor patio, a massive beer selection, and a place where you can show up in any colors and not feel cornered. With drink specials all week long and expansive outdoor seating, this popular spot on West 6th Street was named the best dog-friendly restaurant in Austin.

Black's Barbecue (near the north end of campus) solves the problem of wanting real Texas BBQ without a 45-minute drive to Lockhart. The same experience that once required a 45-minute drive now requires a 12-minute walk from the north end of campus — the meat is still smoked in the same pits over in Lockhart, then driven in each morning. Go early; they run out.

Once inside the stadium, fans will find plenty of options to keep the party going.

Visitors don't have to wander far from their seats to satisfy game-day cravings, with 20 different vendors situated throughout the stadium offering a variety of classic American cuisine and beverages — both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Expect to pay around $12–$15 for a beer and $10–$14 for a basic stadium meal. Salt Lick BBQ has an outpost at Section 30 on Level 1 and Section 6 on Level 3, offering brisket sandwiches, pulled pork, and smoked sausage dogs — genuinely one of the better stadium food options you'll find at any college venue. All transactions are cashless , so have your card or phone ready at every stand.

The bag policy permits fans to bring in one clear single-compartment bag that does not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12″; fans can also bring in non-clear clutch bags, purses, or wristlets that don't exceed 4.5″ x 6.5″. A Ziploc gallon bag also works fine. Outside food and drinks are not allowed in, but you can bring one soft-plastic, unopened water bottle per guest.

All concessions and merchandise transactions at DKR are cashless; Cash-to-Card Kiosks have been added for fans without credit cards, located in the Hall of Fame and at Gate 7. Stop there first if you're working with cash. Fans will experience a metal detector screening before scanning their ticket for entry; those with a bag will undergo an added bag inspection. Come through the north or east gates if you can — the west side (Bellmont Hall) tends to be the most congested with season ticket holders.

The stadium offers designated seating areas for guests using wheelchairs and those with mobility impairments, along with their companions; these tickets should be purchased in advance. Fan Services provides ADA cart shuttle services, and roaming support staff offer wheelchairs, wayfinding, and event support backup throughout the game.

ADA parking spaces are compliant with the law, though they may not always be close to the venue; special accommodation parking spaces are conveniently located closer to the venue or at Lot 118. Closed captioning is available on the Freddie Steinmark Scoreboard. All restrooms within the stadium are designed to be accessible, and only trained service animals assisting guests with disabilities are permitted inside. If you need to reach Fan Services on game day, information booths are located on the North, West, and East sides of the stadium.

There is no formal designated away section at DKR — visiting fans are scattered throughout, typically concentrated in whatever unsold or resale seats they could find, often in the upper decks. If your group is big enough to fill a row, aim for the east upper deck (Sections 100s on the upper east side) where you'll have solid sightlines to the field but slightly less direct exposure to the loudest Longhorn sections.

The midfield seats offer the best view of the action; for dedicated fans, sections 3–5 provide the best vantage points, and sections 27–30 also come highly recommended. As an away fan, those midfield lower-deck seats are where you'll be most surrounded by the home crowd, so factor in your tolerance for sustained burnt orange enthusiasm. The south end zone (added in 2021) is the newer section and tends to have slightly less intense atmosphere — sometimes a reasonable landing spot if you can find tickets there on the secondary market.

Away fans should prepare for a different experience, often seated together in a dedicated visiting section.

The Longhorns' home record through December 2024 stands at 406–123–10 — which tells you something about the atmosphere they've built here. The crowd is loud, organized, and deeply committed to making your afternoon unpleasant in the most Texan way possible. That said, you won't get beer thrown on you or escorted out of the stadium by angry fans — the hostility is competitive, not mean-spirited. What genuinely catches visiting fans off guard is the sheer scale of the place: at 100,119 seats, it's one of the largest stadiums in the United States and the world. When it fills up — and it fills up — the noise bounces differently than at smaller venues, particularly on third downs when the west deck and the student section in the north end zone sync up. Wear your team's colors proudly, but maybe don't do a lot of chest-thumping in Row 5 of the lower west sideline.

By bus: CapMetro reroutes multiple lines post-game, but the buses fill fast. If you can, wait 20–25 minutes after the final whistle before heading to stops along Guadalupe or San Jacinto — the crush right at the final gun is real. Routes 7, 10, and 18 all run post-game detours; check the CapMetro app for real-time tracking.

By car: The rideshare pickup area for DKR is located north of the stadium on Dean Keeton Street between Robert Dedman Drive and Red River Street — near the LBJ Presidential Library — about a 10–15 minute walk from the stadium. For driving, East Campus lots tend to flow onto Red River Street faster than west-side lots, which are choked by Guadalupe. Realistically, budget 45–60 minutes before you're moving freely on I-35.

By rideshare: Surge pricing at the stadium perimeter immediately after a major game can be brutal — $60+ for a ride that would normally cost $15. Walk north to Dean Keeton or east toward Red River, pin your pickup there, and you'll likely shave $15–$20 off the fare and wait significantly less. Give it 20–30 minutes after the final whistle before requesting, and you'll find both shorter wait times and more reasonable pricing.

The one opinionated tip: Walk south toward the Capitol building. It's counterintuitive, it takes you away from most parking and transit, but the foot traffic thins dramatically after two blocks and rideshare availability opens up markedly along Congress Avenue.

What's the best way to get to DKR without a car?

CapMetro gets you within walking distance of DKR on gameday, with six high-frequency routes arriving every 15–30 minutes. Routes 7, 10, 18, and 837 all serve the stadium area on game days.

What is the bag policy at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium?

DKR enforces a clear bag policy — clear bags up to 12″ x 6″ x 12″, one-gallon clear bags, and small clutches up to 4.5″ x 6.5″ are permitted.

How much does parking cost at DKR?

Public garages including Health Center, Speedway, and East Campus Garage offer game-day parking for $50 , opening approximately five hours before kickoff. Third-party lots nearby may start lower; check ParkMobile or SpotHero before game day.

Is DKR Stadium cashless?

Yes — all concessions and merchandise transactions are cashless; Cash-to-Card Kiosks are available for fans without credit cards.

Where should away fans sit at DKR? There's no formal visiting section. Upper-deck east side seats (100-level east) offer solid sightlines with slightly less crowd intensity. Avoid lower-deck west sideline if you're sensitive to being surrounded — that's Longhorn country.

Can I bring food or drink into the stadium?

Outside food and drinks are not allowed in, but you can bring one soft-plastic, unopened water bottle per guest.

When do gates open at DKR? Gates typically open 90 minutes before kickoff. Many public parking lots and garages open five hours prior to game time. Arrive early to clear security without missing warmups.

What airport do I fly into for DKR Stadium? You'll fly into Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), about 10 miles southeast of campus. Allow 30–45 minutes for the drive or rideshare under normal conditions, and significantly more on game day.