AUSTIN (KXAN) — The 15,000-seat Moody Center, the future home of Texas Longhorns basketball and Austin’s newest entertainment venue, will open its doors to the public when John Mayer takes the stage Wednesday, April 20.
The sounds of construction filled the massive venue as the final touches were being put into place Monday ahead of Mayer’s show.
“What you’re looking at is the inverse of the Frank Erwin Center. There are 360 degrees of pure windows which bring the outside in and allow the excitement out” Vice President of Marketing for the Moody Center Veronica Cantu said.
She says architects and developers have been working on this dream for three years. In fact, the final beam was placed last June and now nearly 11 months later the doors will finally open this week.
It is a privately-funded $375 million venture, located at 2001 Robert Dedman Drive. The Moody Foundation gave $130 million toward the project that now bears its name.
The venue will hold 10,000 fans for UT basketball games. 15,000 fans will pack the stands for concerts and entertainment shows.
UT basketball player Brock Cunningham said he “snuck” into the Moody Center Monday just to get a look at his new playing spot.
“It gave me goosebumps. I’m excited to fill it up,” Cunningham said.
The plan for the arena is to have more than 150 nights of “unique entertainment” on top of hosting college basketball games for the UT men’s and women’s basketball programs.
The Moody Center features all the big Austin names in food and beverage. Fans must remember to leave their cash at home and, instead, bring their phones and credit cards. Tickets will be on your phone and concessions will be bought with a credit card.
Cantu says bands that once skipped over Austin are now making it a main stop because of this new music venue. Mayer takes the stage for concerts Wednesday and Thursday.
“This venue isn’t changing Austin — it is amplifying what is here,” says Cantu.
Just announced Monday, tickets will go on sale Friday for Daddy Yankee.
An inside look at the Moody Center
Artwork is prominently displayed at Austin’s Moody Center. (KXAN/Todd Bynum) 
The 15,000-seat Moody Center, the future home of Texas Longhorns basketball and Austin’s newest entertainment venue, will open its doors to the public April 20. (KXAN/Todd Bynum) 
Artwork is prominently displayed at Austin’s Moody Center. (KXAN/Todd Bynum) 
The 15,000-seat Moody Center, the future home of Texas Longhorns basketball and Austin’s newest entertainment venue, will open its doors to the public April 20. (KXAN/Todd Bynum) 
The 15,000-seat Moody Center, the future home of Texas Longhorns basketball and Austin’s newest entertainment venue, will open its doors to the public April 20. (KXAN/Todd Bynum) 
The 15,000-seat Moody Center, the future home of Texas Longhorns basketball and Austin’s newest entertainment venue, will open its doors to the public April 20. (KXAN/Todd Bynum) 
The 15,000-seat Moody Center, the future home of Texas Longhorns basketball and Austin’s newest entertainment venue, will open its doors to the public April 20. (KXAN/Todd Bynum) 
An inside look at the Moody Center on the University of Texas campus just days before the first event April 20, 2022. (Todd Bynum/KXAN) 
An inside look at Austin’s Moody Center on the University of Texas campus. (Photo: Todd Bynum/KXAN) 
An inside look at the Moody Center on the University of Texas campus just days before the first event April 20, 2022. (Todd Bynum/KXAN) 
An inside look at the Moody Center on the University of Texas campus just days before the first event April 20, 2022. (Todd Bynum/KXAN) 
Rendering: Aerial view of the Moody Center on the University of Texas campus. 
Renderings of the Moody Center 
Renderings of the Moody Center 
Renderings of the Moody Center 
Renderings of the Moody Center 
Renderings of the Moody Center 
Construction at the Moody Center (KXAN photo/Andy Way) 
Construction at the Moody Center (KXAN photo/Andy Way) 
Construction at the Moody Center (KXAN photo/Andy Way) 
The final beam was placed in the frame of the Moody Center in a ceremony. (KXAN photo/Julie Karam) 
The final beam was placed in the frame of the Moody Center in a ceremony. (KXAN photo/Julie Karam)
At 10 a.m. Tuesday, the official ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place. Alongside the Leiwekes at the ceremony will be Charles Attal from C3 Presents, UT’s Minister of Culture and fellow developer Matthew McConaughey, UT President Jay Hartzell, UT Athletic Director Chris Del Conte and UT System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife.
The Moody Center replaces the Frank Erwin Center as the Longhorns’ home gym and Austin concert venue. The roof of the Erwin Center also provided the backdrop for an interview between men’s basketball coach Chris Beard and McConaughey before the final UT men’s game in the gym.
