Facts

Constructed:
1977

Cost:
$34 million

Architects:
B.W. Crane and Ralph Anderson of Houston based Wilson, Crane,
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
October 15, 1992
47 minutes
Attendance: 17,141

Most Recent Sellouts:
Full Arena Set-up
George Strait
January 28, 2005
Attendance: 16,335

Trans-Siberian Orchestra
December 22, 2006
Attendance: 10,719

The Cheetah Girls
January 5, 2007
Attendance: 12,007

Theatre Set-up
Dave Chappelle
November 13, 2005
Attendance: 10,225

Highest Grossing Event:
Luciano Pavarotti
February 7, 1999
Over $1.2 million

Special and Extraordinary Events:
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 23 Million

Frank Erwin Center
1701 Red River
Austin, TX 78701

(512) 471-7744
FAX (512) 471-9652

Send us a comment:
comments@erwin.utexas.edu