Hook ‘Em Horns: Make the Most of Your Texas Longhorns Game Day

When it comes to Texas Longhorns fans, the tailgates and traditions sure do “hook ‘em.” On gameday at the University of Texas at Austin, the Eyes of Texas fall on Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium while home team fans are raring to unleash one long-standing Longhorn tradition after another. Before heading into the DKR, grab your Texas Longhorns tickets, Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium tickets and beef up on gameday rituals, pregame activities and more below.

Start Your Day on Bevo Boulevard

Since 2018, the University of Texas has hosted fans on campus for free food, games and entertainment at Bevo Blvd. Located outside of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on San Jacinto Boulevard between 20th Street and the DeLoss Dodds Way, the pregame pep rally features games, food trucks, happy hour discounts, meet and greets and more. Meanwhile, college football fans can watch the pregame broadcast and follow along with other matchups already in progress. Guests can even view Bevo Blvd. from above thanks to the 180-feet zipline.

However, the star of the show is Texas’ live steer mascot, Bevo, whose arrival at three hours ahead of the game comes with a full street parade. Luckily, he hangs around for pictures with fans. With two and half hours left before kickoff, fans can make the short walk to greet players during the Stadium Stampede as they enter the stadium with the Longhorn Band and cheerleading squad.

Bevo Blvd. runs from three hours to 30 minutes prior to kickoff. No game ticket is required for entrance.

Tailgating Texas Style

For tailgating, Texas Longhorns fans are known to graze all throughout the city of Austin. However, the highest concentration of Longhorn Nation can be found on campus, where tailgating is mixed between official university activities, sponsored events, private reserved spaces and open lots. Exclusive on-campus tailgates include Longhorn Tailgaters and Horn-Ball Texas Tailgaters, while the university itself holds private tailgates for Texas Exes and Legends Club members. At the same time, Texas offers reservable tailgating spaces with optional amenities via REVELxp. Open lots go up for grabs at 6:00 p.m. the night before a home game and typically cost $50 per space, while parking lots open at 7:00 a.m. day-of.

Beyond Bevo Blvd., fans can hang around the Texas football stadium and catch a free show at the Longhorn City Limits concert series, which has previously booked Ludacris, Nelly, Zach Bryan and more. Elsewhere around the stadium, stop by Smokey’s Midway for carnival games and rides, Hook ‘Em Hangout in Winship Circle for a wide variety of food trucks and local beers and Big Bertha’s Bazaar for exclusive team merchandise. Whether you buy something there or not, be sure to arrive in your best burnt orange outfit.

Embrace the Longhorn Traditions

Over the years, the list of Texas Longhorns gameday rituals has only grown longer and sharper. Texas Longhorns football traditions that every fan should know include:

Bevo

Texas’ live mascot, Bevo the Longhorn steer, has been putting a point on Texas games since 1916. One of college football’s most famous mascots, the title of Bevo has passed to 15 steers. Usually standing close to the endzone at home games, Bevo has also made appearances at pep rallies, livestock shows, numerous Rose Bowls and two U.S. presidential inauguration ceremonies. Bevo is cared for during games by the undergraduate student organization Silver Spurs.

Hook ‘Em Horns

Every fan becomes a Longhorn when they put up the “Hook ’em Horns” hand sign. Formed by sticking up the index finger and pinky while clasping the thumb, middle and ring fingers, the sign was first introduced in 1955 by a Texas cheerleader. Although any moment could use “hook ‘em horns,” fans will collectively put them up during “The Eyes of Texas” and “Texas Fight.”

Smokey the Cannon

Cover your ears! Each Texas Longhorns gameday receives an initial blast from Smokey the Cannon. The replica Civil War cannon fires on the first kickoff, after any Longhorns score, at the end of quarters and during renditions of “The Eyes of Texas.” Originally constructed in 1953, three canons have since been dubbed Smokey, with its current version weighing 1,200 pounds. The canon is maintained by the Texas Cowboys student service organization.

Big Bertha

Used by the Longhorn Band since the late ’50s, the “World’s Largest Bass Drum” Big Bertha actually dates back to 1922 at the University of Chicago. Texas later acquired the 8-foot bass drum for one dollar and Big Bertha quickly became the “Sweetheart of the Longhorn Band.” Big Bertha is wheeled around the field and played by the Bertha Crew, who also sound the drum after touchdowns. The 9.5-foot Big Bertha II replaced the original in 2022.

The Largest Texas Flag

Speaking of larger-than-life traditions, the Longhorns also unfurl a Texas state flag, measuring 100 feet by 150 feet, on field during home games. Overseen by the Alpha Rho chapter of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity, the flag run has taken place before kickoff since 1962. Though several versions have held the distinction, the current Largest Texas Flag debuted in 2007.

“The Eyes of Texas”

The official school song of Texas perfectly expresses what gameday feels like at the DKR. Written in 1903, “The Eyes of Texas” has become one of college football’s longest enduring fight songs. The tune, which pairs with the “Hook ‘Em” sign at games, is also one of the easiest to learn as it follows the same melody as “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.”

“Texas Fight”

After a touchdown, fans will break out the “Texas Fight” song. Based on the military funeral standard “Taps,” the official school fight song speeds up the proceedings as fans bid “goodbye to all the rest!” Introduced in 1923, “Texas Fight” and later added several lines from “The Eyes of Texas” to its final verse.

Lighting the Tower

Following a Longhorns win, look west of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium to see the UT Tower above the Main Building light up. Major victories and rivalry games will net a larger spectacle with fireworks or custom lighting displays, but the 307-foot structure always makes for an impressive sight at the end of the night.

Don’t Forget Your Game Day Essentials

Put your worries out to pasture by preparing for Longhorns gameday well ahead of time. For starters, make sure to keep your Texas Longhorns football tickets secured along with any parking passes, money and photo ID. As for an outfit, bring your boots and be ready to dress in the Texas Longhorns’ burnt orange from horn-to-hoof.

Before packing your clear bag for inside the venue, review the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium policy for bags and permitted items. Finally, stow away enough sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a portable fan for long stretches in the Texas sun.

Keep the Party Going After the Game

Just like the city’s widespread tailgating scene, a postgame party can be found nearly anywhere in Austin. Continue the celebration in neighborhood nightlife hubs like Rainey Street, Sixth Street and West Fourth Street or bar-hop between mainstays like Victory Lap, Scholz Garten, The Tavern and Crown and Anchor Pub. To grab a bite after the game, head to fan favorites like Cain & Abel’s near West Campus or Pluckers Wing Bar.

Texas Longhorns Game Day Schedule

Football season is in full swing, with games occurring almost every week through the fall. To catch one of the Texas Longhorns’ home games, take a look at their regular season football schedule.