Sports fans will find lots to love in Austin. Whether you want to catch the action of a Major League Soccer match, watch top NASCAR racers speed around the COTA track or get in the game yourself and run a marathon through the city, you’ll find it all here. We’ve listed Austin’s top 10 sporting events to add to your calendar.

Two formula one cars round the turn in front of fan stands at Austins Circuit of The Americas racetrackFormula 1 USGP at COTA. Courtesy of Circuit of The Americas.

1. FORMULA 1 & RACING

This February, NASCAR at COTA returns with a pedal to the metal weekend of racing at Circuit of The Americas (COTA). Three days are jam-packed with action surrounding the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series.

In March, see some of the greatest motorcycle riders in the world compete during the three-day MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas racing championship, held at COTA’s Grand Prix venue. Don’t miss the only North American stop of one of the biggest racing events of the year, along with exciting off-track activations.

The Formula 1 United States Grand Prix returns to COTA in October. Get ready to experience a weekend of pulse-pounding racing by some of the world’s top drivers, concerts by big-name stars, carnival rides and lots of local food to sample.

Fast fun awaits the weekend after Labor Day when the Lone Star Le Mans returns to COTA for a round of its 24-hour endurance world championship. The six-hour event at COTA will be its only round held in North America. 

2. UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS FOOTBALL

Echoes of  "Hook 'em horns!" are heard throughout the city each Saturday in the fall. Founded in 1883, The University of Texas at Austin campus is located just north of the heart of the city and is home to a diverse population of more than 52,000 students. University of Texas Longhorn fans take football seriously. Nationally known for their high energy and team spirit, fans live for home games and tailgating. In 2024, fans joined in the excitement and bled burnt orange as the Longhorns moved conferences from the Big 12 to the SEC. The move paid off big, with the team making the College Football Playoffs.

Image of the pitch at Q2 stadium showing the stands packed with Austin FC fans.
Courtesy of Austin FC.

3. SOCCER

Catch an Austin FC soccer home game at Q2 Stadium, played during the regular season from February through October. Cheer on this exciting Major League Soccer team, co-owned by iconic actor and local Minister of Culture Matthew McConaughey.

Austin's newest women's football club is on a mission to create opportunities for the highest level of women’s soccer. Austin Rise FC dominated its 2024 season, earning the Lone Star Conference champions title, and is gearing up for the 2025 summer season. Check their website for schedule details. 

Don your best orange-and-white outfit and head to the Mike A. Myers Stadium and Soccer Field to see The University of Texas at Austin Women’s Soccer team in action. The Texas Longhorns women’s team has won three conference championships. The regular season runs from August through November.

Two women in matching athletic clothes high-fiving in front of the Texas State Capitol Building and finish line of the Austin Marathon.
Austin Marathon. Courtesy of High Five Events.

4. RUNNING EVENTS

Get ready to run, or just cheer from the sidelines, when the Austin Marathon comes to town in February. The course winds through city neighborhoods, passing landmarks like UT Tower and the I the Love You So Much mural, ending in front of the Texas State Capitol. Once the race is over, join in a rousing festival at the finish line, complete with live music.

Catch up with the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, held in March at The University of Texas at Austin. This race brings athletes at high school, collegiate and professional levels to compete in speedy competitions.

The Cap10K, held in April, is Texas’ largest 10K race, and the sixth largest in the country. More than 20,000 professional and amateur runners are expected to participate in the race across Austin, which stretches from Congress Avenue to Auditorium Shores.

Man on horseback rides around area during Rodeo Austin
Courtesy of Rodeo Austin.

5. RODEO

The Austin Gamblers are one of 10 teams in the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series, an elite bull riding league showcasing world-class athletes and bulls competing for their city's pride. The Gamblers were the first pro sports tenant in the, state-of-the-art Moody Center and hosted other teams from around the nation. The PBR Team Series runs July through November with Gambler Days hosted in Austin each August.

Since its humble beginnings in 1938 as a small livestock show, Rodeo Austin has become one of the state’s premier rodeos, held every March at the Travis County Expo Center. ProRodeo events are followed by nightly concerts, plus there’s an after-hours honky-tonk for dancing, a carnival, a livestock show and much more.

ATX Open stadium at Westwood Country club with Hill Country and Austin skyline in the background.
Courtesy ATX Open.

6. Tennis

In February and March, Austin hosts its second Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour tournament. The ATX Open is one of the first U.S.-based events on the 2025 Hologic WTA Tour calendar. The WTA 250 tournament will again be played at Austin’s Westwood Country Club, which includes a 1,700-seat Stadium Match Court and amenities for thousands of tennis fans. 

7. ROLLER DERBY

The Texas Roller Derby (TXRD) is one of the leagues responsible for the revival of the raucous sport of roller derby. Founded in 2001, TXRD is a banked-track roller derby league known for its fun combination of camp and athleticism. The skater-owned league is made up of seven teams. Check the TXRD site for up-to-date information on scheduled bouts at the Palmer Events Center.

8. BASEBALL

Get into the swing of baseball season and catch a game by the Round Rock Express, a Minor League Baseball, Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers that calls Dell Diamond home. The family-friendly ballpark features a kids’ fun zone, plus theme nights and regular fireworks displays. The Round Rock Express season runs from April through September.

The Huston-Tillotson University baseball team's season runs from January through April. The Rams play at historic Downs Field, which was once home of the Austin Black Senators, the city's first Negro League Baseball team.

Austin Spurs basket ball player mid-shot for a free point while other basketball players line up along the lane.Credit Austin Spurs.

9. BASKETBALL

The Austin Spurs basketball team, a member of the NBA G League, plays games in the H-E-B Center home. Don’t be surprised if you run into Da Bull, the Spurs’ beloved mascot, as he entertains the crowd. The Austin Spurs basketball season runs from November through April.

Gear up for the San Antonio Spurs at Moody Center during the I-35 Series in February. The NBA team will play the Phoenix Suns and the Detroit Pistons in the two-game series. The NBA team will play the Denver Nuggets and the Brooklyn Nets in the two-game series. 

10. VOLLEYBALL

Don't miss the Austin League One Volleyball (LOVB) matches played by Austin's new women's professional volleyball team. LOVB competes against teams from five other markets. The team’s season runs from January through March. 

The University of Texas at Austin Women's Volleyball athletes continued to shine in 2024, ending the season with a No. 11 ranking. The team won the 2023 NCAA National Championship, repeating their 2022 feat. The regular season begins in August and runs through November. 

No matter what time of year you visit, there is always a sporting event taking place in the city. Visit our sports events calendar to learn more about upcoming games, matches, races and more.