About the Erwin Center

Since 1977, the Frank Erwin Center has fulfilled its mission of serving the greater Austin area with the most spectacular live entertainment.

It is deep in the heart of 51,000 University of Texas students and more than 1.7 million people in the greater Austin area. The convenient location off of IH-35 is within walking distance of downtown Austin and the Texas Capitol.

Visit the Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau website for information on hotel accommodations and more.

Mission Statement

(revised and adopted August 16, 2006)
•To provide a first class experience to all guests who enter our building
•To support the university’s mission and provide benefits to the Central Texas community

Interesting Facts about the Frank Erwin Center

Constructed:

1977

Cost:

$34 million

Architects:

B.W. Crain and Ralph Anderson of Houston based Wilson, Crain,
Anderson Partnership (now C/A Architects)

Claim to Fame:

Houston’s Astrodome

Structural Engineers:

Walter P. Moore & Associates of Houston

General Contractor:

H.A. Lott of Houston

Renovations and Expansions:

2001-2003
Life safety upgrades, new concession stands and restrooms, addition of 28 suites, new scoreboard and indoor electronic video signs, addition of outdoor electronic video sign, Lone Star Room (reception hall) renovations

Cost:

$55 million

Architect:

Heery International

General Contractor:

Hensel Phelps Construction Co.

First Event:

UT Men’s Basketball vs. The University of Oklahoma
November 29, 1977 | Attendance: 12,650

First Concert:

Lawrence Welk
March 12, 1978 | Attendance: 15,676

First Sellout:

Lawrence Welk
March 12, 1978 | Attendance: 15,676

Largest Crowd:

John Denver
May 6, 1978 | Attendance: 17,829

First Two-Night Run:

Prince
January 11 & 12, 1985 | Attendance: 31,007

Other Two-Night Runs:

George Strait
September 10 & 11, 1987 | Attendance: 25,368

Pink Floyd
November 19 & 20, 1987 | Attendance: 25,131

Janet Jackson
July 5 & 6, 1990 | Attendance: 25,228

Fastest Sellout:

Garth Brooks | 47 minutes
October 15, 1992 | Attendance: 17,141

Most Recent Sellouts:

Drake’s The Club Paradise Tour with special guests Kendrick Lamar and A$AP Rocky
February 27, 2012 Attendance: 11,669

Radiohead
March 7, 2012 Attendance 11,689

Roger Waters The Wall Live
May 3, 2012 Attendance 10,230

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers with special guest Regina Spektor
May 5, 2012 Attendance 10,988

Highest Grossing Event:

George Strait and Reba with special guest Lee Ann Womack
January 14, 2011 | Attendance: 16,737

Special and Extraordinary Events:

Fire Relief Benefit Concert
October 17, 2011

Davis Cup by BNP Paribas
July 8-10, 2011

American Idol Auditions
August 11, 2010

ESPN GameDay Live
February 21, 2009

ESPN GameDay Live
February 25, 2006

Neighbors in Need - Austin’s Katrina Relief Concert
September 21, 2005

A Holy Talk with His Holiness the Dalai Lama
September 20, 2005

American Idol Auditions
August 23-27, 2005

Dixie Chicks Perform a Live Broadcast for the Academy of Country Music Awards
May 21, 2003

Liz Carpenter Lecture Series featuring President Bill Clinton
February 12, 2003

George W. Bush Presidential Announcement
July 25 & 27, 2000

UT School of Liberal Arts Liz Carpenter Lecture featuring President Bill Clinton
October 16, 1995

Attendance since 1977:

Over 25.8 Million