Moody Center visitor guide: everything you need to know

Located on the University of Texas’ Austin campus, the Moody Center is a purpose-built venue ideal for your next concert. Designed with state-of-the-art acoustics and services in mind, you could do a lot worse than this 15,000+ seat concert venue.

Since it was first opened to the public in April 2022, the Moody Center has hosted some big names in music. Some performers of note include Lizzo, Harry Styles, Dave Matthews, and Kendrick Lamar. But music isn’t the only thing you can see here. Family shows and local events are often held here, and the stadium is the home of both the women’s and men’s University of Texas basketball games.

With all there is going on here, if you’re in Austin and enjoy live music or college basketball, chances are you might be looking for tickets to an event. Before you head to the venue, make sure you understand the Moody Center’s various rules. The bag policy is strict, so it’s also a good idea to put any unneeded bags in a Bounce Moody Center luggage storage. Then, it’ll be a breeze getting through security and to your seat.

Moody Center bag policy

While the venue recommends that guests leave their bags at home (or at a convenient luggage storage), if you absolutely need to bring one, you can. The Moody Center bag policy allows clear bags no larger than 14” x 14” x 6”. You can also bring clear re-sealable bags that don’t exceed one gallon.

The only exceptions to the Moody Center clear bag policy are small clutch bags or wallets. These items don’t have to be clear, but they do have to be 5″ x 9″ x 1.5” or smaller. 

Since the Moody Center bag policy is quite strict, they do usually provide a truck with lockers during concerts. These spaces fill up fast, so you’re better off storing your bags with Bounce before you even get to the stadium.

The Moody Center does not make exceptions for diaper bags as some stadiums do. If you’re traveling with one, the bag’s contents will need to be emptied into a suitable clear plastic bag.

Moody Center food policy

Something of a rarity in stadiums and concert venues, the concessions at the Moody Center are market-style. Choices for food are varied, with everything from jumbo hot dogs and fries to smoked chopped brisket sandwiches and homemade potato salad. Plus, you can get ice cream, pizza, and tacos, too.

Some of the restaurants to look out for are Stubb’s BBQ, Big Chicken, Koko’s Bavarian, and Austin Hot Links, all on the main concourse.

Fortunately, there is no Moody Center food policy that limits what you can take into the arena, provided that you don't fall foul of the stated bag policy. If you plan to bring outside food into the Center, just make sure it all fits in a one-gallon (or smaller) clear bag.

Moody Center transportation

It’s easy to figure out how to get to the Moody Center. It’s centrally located, and you can use any of the following:

Driving

While it can be very busy in the area during events, it’s not hard to get parking near the Moody Center, as long as you plan ahead. The arena’s website lets you book parking online by selecting the event you’re attending and showing you the available options. The closest intersection to the Center is E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd and S I-35 Frontage Road.

Public transportation

Using Austin’s Capital Metro, concertgoers can get to the Moody Center on the high-frequency routes of 7, 10, and 20. Additionally, route 18 offers one of the closest stops to the stadium available.

Rideshares

If you plan to use a service like Uber or Lyft, the pickup and drop-off should be done on the northeast side of the venue, and more specifically on Red River and Clyde Littlefield/Manor Road.

Moody Center camera policy

The Moody Center camera policy is one that changes based on the event you're attending. But what doesn’t change is that any recording equipment or still cameras, regardless of the lens size, are prohibited in the venue. If you’re only planning to snap pics or take videos using your smartphone, luckily, those are allowed.

Depending on the event you’re attending, some artists and performances may prohibit you from even bringing your phone in. The best thing to do is double-check your tickets for additional information related to event-specific camera policies.

Moody Center rules

In addition to bags, food, and cameras, there are a few other Moody Center policies to be aware of. They are:

• None of the vendors for food or merchandise here accept cash. The venue is completely cashless, so plan to use your credit or debit card or Google Pay/Apple Pay.
• Laptops are not permitted in the arena.
• The Center has two entrances - East and West. Both are equipped with a specific line for guests with disabilities.
• There is a no-re-entry policy during every event here. Once you scan your ticket and enter the venue, if you leave, you won’t be allowed back in.
• Everyone who enters the Moody Center needs to pass through a metal detector.

While not a rule, another interesting fact is that actor Matthew McConaughey is the Moody Center’s Minister of Culture. As an Austin native, he is tasked with ensuring that everyone’s experience here is true to its Austin location. 

Conclusion

Attending a concert or a basketball game at the Moody Center is certain to be an experience you won’t soon forget. The feeling is both intimate (it has the largest event floor in the US so that you can get close to the performers) and exciting, and in the case of music, the sound is always top-notch.

To make sure you have a seamless experience getting into the stadium, take these policies into account and store anything you don’t need at a nearby Bounce storage - you’ll be glad you did!