AUSTIN, Texas — It's almost time, Longhorn fans! The University of Texas at Austin is just about a month away from leaving the Big 12 behind and joining the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
To celebrate, UT and Texas Athletics have planned a free, all-day event on Sunday, June 30, from 1 to 10 p.m. across the Forty Acres.
"UT's move to the Southeastern Conference is an extraordinary moment for Texas Athletics, Longhorn Nation and our entire University. It is only fitting that we celebrate this occasion with a Texas-sized party on the Forty Acres, open to all," UT President Jay Hartzell said.
The "SEC Celebration" will include interactive games and activities starting at 2 p.m., including a Ferris wheel, a giant slide and more. The event will also be the first time Longhorn fans can purchase Texas x SEC co-branded merchandise.
Additionally, fans can take pics at various photo ops, learn more about the SEC at the "SEC Village" and see some treasured UT artifacts at the "Championship Corner." There will also be food trucks on site, as well as two places to grab a cold drink: the Still Austin Music Lounge on the Tower Plaza and Big Beertha on 21st Street.
Live music will start at 5:30 p.m. on the Tower Stage, in front of the UT Tower. According to the university, the music lineup will feature a 9 p.m. headlining performance by a "to-be-announced global superstar."
From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., the SEC Network will be broadcasting from the Main Mall, in front of the tower, and at 8:30 p.m., the official SEC Ceremony will be held at the Tower Stage. The event will feature leaders from both the SEC and UT and will "mark a historic moment" as the Longhorns are officially welcomed to the conference. Fireworks will follow.
The fun isn't exclusive to the Main Mall and 21st Street. There will also be free activities for fans to enjoy at UT's museums and centers – including the Blanton Museum of Art, LBJ Presidential Library and Texas Science & Natural History Museum – from 1 to 5 p.m.
Parking for the SEC Celebration will be free in designated UT parking garages and surface lots beginning at 11 a.m.
The university is encouraging fans to "come early, be loud, stay late, wear orange."
Background on UT's move to the SEC
Back in July 2021, the sports world was abuzz with rumors that UT and bitter rival, the University of Oklahoma, were considering leaving the Big 12 Conference for the SEC. On July 27, 2021, the two schools officially submitted a joint letter to join the SEC starting in 2025.
Roughly a week later, the conference voted to extend membership to the schools. Both UT and OU accepted.
Then, in February 2023, the Associated Press reported that UT and OU would be heading to the SEC a year earlier than originally planned after Big 12 officials cleared the way for the programs to exit in 2024.
Below is the 2024 Texas Football regular season schedule, including the return of the Longhorns' rivalry game against Texas A&M University:
- Aug. 31 – vs. Colorado State University
- Sept. 7 – at University of Michigan
- Sept. 14 – vs. the University of Texas at San Antonio
- Sept. 21 – vs. the University of Louisiana Monroe
- Sept. 28 – vs. Mississippi State University
- Oct. 12 – vs. OU at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas
- Oct. 19 – vs. the University of Georgia
- Oct. 26 – at Vanderbilt University
- Nov. 9 – vs. the University of Florida
- Nov. 16 – at the University of Arkansas
- Nov. 23 – vs. the University of Kentucky
- Nov. 30 – at Texas A&M