Sports in Austin usually revolve around the Texas Longhorns, but with an ever-growing transplant population there are fans of every sport and team in the capital city. While there's no major professional sports team in Austin (yet), there are plenty of places to catch big games around the city. Here are a few of our suggestions for every kind of sports fan.
College Football
Texas tailgating is a serious affair and nobody does it like the Texas Exes, the official alumni association of UT who roll big-rig BBQ pits in to fill just about every parking lot from I-35 to West Campus. For one of the most iconic tailgates in Austin, hit the hardcore Scholz Garten scene. Visit the Beir Garten for a pre-game pint, weinerscnitzel, bratwurst and old-fashioned Texas barbecue. Cheer on your favorite team, from the shores of Lake Austin at Abel's on the Lake. Chow down on Texas-style brunch items and flutes of mimosas as TVs blast football games in the background.
Cain & Abels. Courtesy of Austin Landmarks.
NFL
The option are endless! The NFL is the most popular league in the country and you'll find every game on screens all over the city. The Park is always a great spot for brunch, drinks and football, and they now have locations in The Domain and on South Lamar. Cover 3 has you covered if you like your games a little more upscale and they've also just added a new location downtown on West 6th Street. If you want to watch the game but also like staying active, work on your game at Topgolf with a TV right in your bay.
Soccer
Mister Tramps is in an odd spot off Research Boulevard but it has cheap drinks, a friendly bar staff and its one of the best soccer bars around. The bar opens early on weekends for Premier League (especially Tottenham Hotspur) games and it's always buzzing when the US Soccer team plays. Haymaker is a bar off Manor in East Austin and it is the home to fans of Chelsea and Manchester City. The bar has a huge selection of beer and great bar food.
The Best of the Rest
Lavaca Street Bar is in downtown Austin and it has a giant projection screen and TVs all around, as well as po' boys from Turf n Surf.
Contributed by Evan Knopp, Marketing and Tourism Intern.