DKR–Texas Memorial
Stadium Guide
Everything out-of-town fans need to know before attending a game at DKR — seating sections, parking, gates, entry policies, food, gameday traditions, and what to do in Austin before and after kickoff.
Stadium at a Glance
🤘 A Century of Longhorn Football
DKR–Texas Memorial Stadium has stood on the UT Austin campus since 1924, growing from a 24,000-seat facility into one of the five largest stadiums in college football through eight major renovations. It was renamed in honor of head coach Darrell K Royal in 1996 — the man who led Texas to three national championships and 11 Southwest Conference titles across a 20-year tenure. The south end zone renovation completed in 2009 brought the stadium to its current capacity and enclosed the bowl completely.
Seating Guide
Where to sit based on your priority — midfield, budget, premium, or visiting fan
🏆 Best Seats — Midfield Lower
The prime midfield lower sections offer the best sightlines on the field. Sections 4–5 are directly in front of the Texas sideline bench. Rows 10–30 give you the ideal height to see plays develop. These are the most in-demand and highest-priced tickets in the building.
⭐ Premium Clubs
All four club options include chairback seating, climate-controlled lounges, complimentary food and beverages, and private restrooms. The Texas Club occupies a narrow band of midfield east sideline sections and is the most exclusive option. Longhorn Foundation membership is required for most club access.
💰 Best Value — Upper Level Corner
Far views and a corner angle keep prices lower here than anywhere else in the stadium. Rows 1–5 in these sections are a sweet spot — better views than the higher rows and shorter walks to the concourse. Sections 9 and 10 get the best sun relief during day games.
☀️ West Sideline — Upper
Large sections with up to 54 rows. These seats get the sun at their back earlier in the day compared to the east side — a significant advantage for afternoon games in September and October when Austin heat is a factor. Entry tunnel is near Row 18.
🎓 Student Section
Located in the southeast corner beneath the massive Freddie Steinmark Scoreboard, the student section is the loudest part of the stadium. Sections 33–39 are directly under the board. Student tickets are only available to currently enrolled UT students — not purchasable on the secondary market.
🏈 Visiting Fan Sections
Visiting team fans are allocated seats in the upper northeast corner. The visiting team's sideline bench is in front of sections 28–29 on the lower level. If attending as a fan of the opposing team, your ticket will direct you to these sections — entering via Gate 27 on the east side is most convenient.
Stadium Orientation
Compass layout — West side is San Jacinto Blvd (Bellmont Hall). East side faces I-35.
Gates & Entry Points
Your ticket specifies your assigned gate — fans must enter at the gate printed on their mobile ticket
Gates open 2 hours before kickoff for general public · 3 hours for UT student Big Ticket holders (Gate 25) · ADA entry at Gates 7, 14, 16, and 27
🚗 Parking at DKR
Parking near the stadium is largely permit-only and fills hours before kickoff. Most general lots require advance-purchase permits through UT Athletics. A handful of cash lots are available at $30/space on a first-come basis. The stadium is visible from I-35 and is accessible from multiple directions — plan your route in advance, especially for marquee games like Ohio State and the Lone Star Showdown.
Entry Policies
Know before you go — these rules are enforced at all DKR home games
👜 Clear Bag Policy
- Only clear bags up to 12" × 6" × 12" permitted
- Small non-clear clutch purses up to 4.5" × 6.5" allowed
- No mesh bags, straw bags, duffle bags, or camera cases
- Diaper bags must be clear and meet size requirements
- No exceptions — checked at all entry gates
📱 Mobile Tickets
- All tickets are mobile — no paper tickets accepted
- Download your ticket to your phone before arriving
- Screenshot your ticket in case of poor connectivity
- Fans must enter at the specific gate printed on their ticket
- Re-entry not permitted once you exit the stadium
💳 Cashless Venue
- All concessions, merchandise, and parking are cashless
- Credit and debit cards accepted at all permanent stands
- Cash-to-Card Kiosks at the Hall of Fame and Gate 7
- Traditional ATMs at Gate 1, Gate 7, and Section 107
- Major credit cards only — no cash transactions
🪑 Chairbacks
- Personal chairbacks permitted if under 12" × 12" × 18"
- Must have no pockets or zippers
- Chairback rentals available inside Gates 1, 7, 8, 25, 32, 104, 107, and 116
- Most seating is aluminum bench — a chairback is worth it
- All club sections include chairback seating
♿ ADA Access
- ADA entry at Gates 7, 14, 16, and 27
- ADA elevators: west side inside Gates 1 and 7; east side inside Gate 27
- ADA parking spaces available in compliance with law
- Folding chairs provided for guests with wheelchairs
- Closed captioning available on the Freddie Steinmark Scoreboard
🐾 Animals & Other
- Certified service dogs welcome — must remain leashed or harnessed
- No other animals permitted in the stadium
- No autographs available on game days
- Baby changing stations in all public restrooms
- Stadium Wi-Fi available throughout
Food & Drink Inside DKR
Wide selection across the concourse — all cashless
🤘 DKR Gameday Traditions
A Texas home game is more than just football. These are the traditions that define the DKR experience — know them before you arrive.
The Eyes of Texas
Played before kickoff and after every Longhorns victory. The entire stadium sings along — visitors are encouraged to join in. Written in 1903, it's been the unofficial anthem of the university ever since.
Hook 'Em Horns ✌️→🤘
The iconic hand sign — extend your index finger and pinky to form the longhorn steer's horns. Used as a greeting, celebration, and battle cry by Longhorn fans everywhere. Throw it up when the band plays.
Bevo the Longhorn
The live Texas longhorn steer mascot lives on the sideline in the south end zone throughout home games. One of the few live animal mascots in college football — and one of the most iconic sights in the sport.
Team Entrance
The Longhorns enter the field from the northwest corner at the intersection of San Jacinto Blvd and DeLoss Dodds Way — known as "Bevo Boulevard" on game days. Arrive early to watch the team walk in to a roaring stadium.
Bevo Boulevard
The stretch of San Jacinto Blvd that fronts the stadium is closed to traffic on game days and rechristened "Bevo Boulevard" — featuring live music, food carts, fan activities, and Smokey's Midway (carnival rides and games for families).
Longhorn Band
The Longhorn Band has performed at every home game since 1900. Their halftime show is a full production — arrive at your seat early to catch the full performance. The band's playing of The Eyes of Texas post-game is a highlight of every win.
Around the Stadium
The best of Austin before and after the game
🍖 Pre-Game Food Near Campus
- Scholz Garten (0.5 mi) — Austin's oldest beer garden, legendary game day atmosphere
- Hat Creek Burger Co. (0.1 mi) — closest fast food to DKR, lines build game day
- Torchy's Tacos — multiple campus-area locations, reliable pre-game option
- The Drag (Guadalupe St.) — the campus strip, bars and quick bites heading to the stadium
- Franklin Barbecue (1 mi east on 11th St) — lines start at dawn, worth it for evening games
🍻 Post-Game & Nightlife
- 6th Street Entertainment District — Austin's main bar and live music corridor, 1.5 mi south
- Rainey Street — craft cocktail bars and food trucks, slightly removed from the crowds
- West Campus bars along San Jacinto and Guadalupe — closest to stadium post-game
- East 6th Street — trendier, less touristy bar scene, 1.5 mi from DKR
- South Congress — restaurants and bars with an Austin character, 2 miles south
🏨 Hotels Near DKR
- AT&T Hotel and Conference Center (0.5 mi) — on campus, most convenient
- DoubleTree by Hilton Austin University Area (0.6 mi)
- Hampton Inn & Suites Austin University Capitol (0.6 mi)
- Downtown Austin hotels — 1.5–2 mi, walkable for motivated fans
- Book 2–3 months out for marquee games — Austin hotels fill fast on game weekends
🎸 Austin Beyond Football
- Texas State Capitol — 0.8 mi south, free tours available
- Sixth Street Live Music — more than 200 live music venues citywide
- Barton Springs Pool — natural spring-fed pool, 3 miles south
- Lady Bird Lake and Zilker Park — kayaking, hiking, running trails downtown
- Congress Avenue Bridge bats — 1.5M free-tail bats emerge at sunset, year-round
Pro Tips for First-Time Visitors
Ready to Experience DKR?
Xenia Events is Austin-based — we live five minutes from this stadium and know every detail of the game day experience. Contact us to build a complete Texas football package: tickets, hotel, transport, and dining sorted before you land at AUS.