As we all know, Austin is a hub for vibrant culture with an established art scene. Over and above these renowned activities, the city is also home to a growing list of sporting events and activities, thanks mainly to the emergence of Austin FC as an MLS stalwart over the past few seasons.
The Texas Longhorns are also competitive participants in several College sports, played out of the largest university in the Longhorn State, the esteemed University of Texas. Austin also offers diverse sporting opportunities for residents and visitors alike, and we’ll run through some of these in this article.
Austin FC
Austin FC was founded in 2018 and gained entry into the MLS in 2021 as the first professional sports league team to play out of the Texas capital. The franchise plays its home games at the state-of-the-art Q2 Stadium and has built a steady following of local soccer fans, with the official fan club known as Los Verdes.
The club, with help from Los Verdes and some standout players, including Argentinian captain and star player Sebastián Driussi, goalkeeper Brad Stuver, Finnish midfielder Alex Ring, and blossoming young Venezuelan international Dani Pereira, has become a favorite among local punters using Texas sports betting apps, where, according to Brett Curtis, sports betting is “sought after by thousands.”
Although still in its developmental stages and a long way shy of favorites Inter Miami (+200) in betting for the 2024 MLS Cup, Austin FC (+6500) has improved in the betting since last season and is drawing enthusiastic crowds to its matches while fostering a strong sense of community among its supporters.
Texas Longhorns
Many years before Austin FC arrived on the scene, while Austin was the largest city in the United States without an established professional sports league franchise, the University of Texas at Austin drew large local fanbases to the numerous college sports types the flagship institution of the University of Texas network offers.
With football reigning supreme in the hearts of most Austinites, the Texas Longhorns football team draws massive crowds to the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on game days. With four National Championships between 1963 and 2006, a coveted fifth remains elusive, but the fans still flock to the venue. The attendance record at the stadium is 105,213, set as recently as 2022.
Longhorns baseball holds the national record for the most trips to the College World Series with 35, and the university boasts six World Series wins between 1949 and 2005. Over the years, The Longhorns swimming and diving teams have accumulated 16 NCAA Division I titles, with the 13 won by the men’s team being more than any other team in the top division.
The Texas Longhorns also compete nationally in basketball, softball, volleyball, golf, and track and field, with the track and field program producing numerous Olympians throughout history.
Part-time and Recreational Sports
Austin caters to athletes of all levels through several running and fitness events. From the annual Cap10K race to the Austin Marathon, runners can test their endurance by competing with fellow fitness enthusiasts. Other sporting options, like joining a local kickball league or an amateur softball or volleyball club, also exist in Austin.
The city’s extensive park, trail, and waterway networks offer ample opportunities for hiking, biking, paddleboarding, or kayaking, with Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin being a hub for outdoor activities. With scenic trails and picturesque views of the Austin city skyline, the reservoir is a popular destination for locals and tourists wanting to experience the fresh air and outdoor activity.
