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Frank Erwin Center Tickets

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The venue

About Frank Erwin Center

The Frank Erwin Center, affectionately known as The Drum, was on the UT campus at 1701 Red River Street in Austin, TX. Opened in 1977 as the Special Events Center and renamed in 1980 to honor Frank C. Erwin Jr., this on-campus multi-purpose arena hosted major concerts and events before being replaced by the Moody Center in 2022. While the building has since undergone demolition (Nov 2023–May 2024), the Frank Erwin Center’s legacy lives on in local history and the UT events landscape. If you’re planning a night out near the UT campus, we’ll help you find the best route, parking options, and nearby places to stay and eat. We’ll also point you to current transit options that connect to CapMetro routes and light rail for a smooth trip to the area.

Note: For current UT athletic and event logistics, the Moody Center pages provide up-to-date transit and parking details. If you’re visiting the UT campus area for a show, secure your seats and plan ahead with the nearby hotel and dining recommendations. We’ve highlighted affiliate partner options for convenient stays and dining experiences near the university. Whether you’re catching a historic concert or a UFC event memory, we’ve got you covered with practical, no-fuss information to make your night out in Austin easy and enjoyable.

Good to know

Seating, Parking & Venue Information

  • Address: 1701 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78701.
  • Venue type: on-campus multi-purpose arena (nicknamed 'The Drum').
  • Original name and rename: opened as Special Events Center (1977) and renamed Frank C. Erwin Jr. Special Events Center in 1980.
  • Capacity: 16,540 for basketball (2013–2022); 17,900 center-stage for concerts; 7,820 theatre.
  • Last UT ticketed event: April 2, 2022; Moody Center opened April 20, 2022 as the replacement venue for UT basketball.
  • Demolition: began Nov 2023 and completed by May 19, 2024.
  • Notable events: hosted UFC events (2010, 2014, 2018) and major concerts (Taylor Swift, U2, Madonna, etc.).
  • Transit and parking: Moody Center plans and UT Parking pages provide current transit and parking options (CapMetro routes 7, 10, 20, 670, 671; Plaza Saltillo light rail).
  • Nearby hotels: UT-area options include AT&T Hotel & Conference Center (on-campus), DoubleTree by Hilton Austin – University Area, and DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Austin – University Area.