Longhorns Set to Make Moody Center Debut: Texas Volleyball to Play First Match at New Home in 2025

For the first time in program history, Texas volleyball will call the Moody Center home in 2025 — and it’s more than just a change of address. It’s a move that reflects the growing stature of the sport, the evolving priorities of collegiate athletics, and the continued excellence of one of the NCAA’s most dominant volleyball programs.

The University of Texas announced this spring that its volleyball team will host matches at the state-of-the-art Moody Center beginning in the 2025 season, a monumental transition from Gregory Gym, where the Longhorns have built one of the most formidable home-court advantages in the country. The announcement was met with enthusiasm from fans, players, and coaches alike, signaling a bold step forward in the ever-evolving landscape of women’s collegiate athletics.

The Moody Center, which opened in 2022 and serves as the primary venue for Texas men’s and women’s basketball, is a gleaming 15,000-seat arena situated in the heart of Austin. With world-class acoustics, LED displays, luxury suites, and every modern amenity imaginable, it’s among the finest indoor arenas in the nation. Now, it will play host to a sport that’s become synonymous with excellence on the Forty Acres.

For Texas volleyball, this move is both symbolic and strategic. The Longhorns have consistently been one of the NCAA’s powerhouse programs under head coach Jerritt Elliott, who has led the team to multiple national championships and perennial Final Four appearances. Gregory Gym, which holds around 4,000 fans and often sells out for marquee matchups, created an intimate but electric atmosphere that opponents dreaded. Moving to the Moody Center represents a major scaling up — and a challenge to recreate that same intensity in a much larger venue.

But Elliott and his team are embracing the opportunity.

“This is about growing the game,” Elliott said in a university statement. “It’s about showcasing our athletes and providing the best environment possible for our fans and our program. The Moody Center offers us a chance to elevate Texas Volleyball even further.”

That elevation has been years in the making. The Longhorns have led the Big 12 in attendance for over a decade and rank among the national leaders in fan support annually. With the rise of name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, increased visibility through ESPN and network broadcasts, and a surge in national interest around women’s sports, volleyball is enjoying a moment — and Texas is making sure it’s front and center.

The timing couldn’t be better. Texas is preparing for its debut season in the SEC, joining a conference that boasts some of the nation’s best volleyball programs. Powerhouses like Florida and Kentucky await, bringing with them competitive fire and passionate fanbases. It’s a move that raises the stakes and underscores the importance of providing elite facilities and a game-day experience that reflects the caliber of play on the court.

The Moody Center certainly fits that bill. Originally constructed with an eye toward professional-grade events and high-profile concerts, the venue is also uniquely suited for volleyball. Its seating bowl is designed to keep fans close to the action, and early renderings suggest that the court layout will mirror the high-energy feel fans loved at Gregory Gym, just on a grander scale. Fans can expect a combination of high-tech visuals, premium concessions, and seamless access, making match nights not just a sporting event but a full-scale experience.

Players are already looking ahead with anticipation.

“Gregory Gym will always be special to us, but the chance to play in a place like the Moody Center is unbelievable,” said junior libero Avery Carlson. “To have that kind of spotlight, that kind of stage — it makes us want to go out and prove we belong on it.”

Carlson is part of a team that enters 2025 with championship expectations. Texas returns a core group of experienced players and brings in another top-ranked recruiting class, making them immediate contenders not just in the SEC but nationally. Their debut match at Moody is expected to be a non-conference showdown against a marquee opponent, with details still to be finalized.

What’s clear, however, is that it will be a celebration — not just of a new home, but of a new era.

Fans are likely to pack the house for the inaugural game, creating a moment that echoes beyond the lines on the court. Much like Nebraska’s record-breaking outdoor match at Memorial Stadium in 2023, which drew over 90,000 fans and brought national attention to the sport, Texas hopes to create a memory that cements its place at the forefront of collegiate volleyball’s evolution.

The university is expected to launch a full promotional campaign leading up to the event, highlighting the team’s rich history, current stars, and commitment to excellence. Alumni are likely to return, national media will take notice, and the student section — always a raucous presence — will have an opportunity to make a bigger impact than ever before.

There’s also a financial component to the move. With rising costs and new revenue opportunities around athletics, schools are increasingly looking to leverage all aspects of their programs. Moving volleyball to the Moody Center opens the door for additional ticket sales, premium seating packages, merchandising, and enhanced sponsor visibility. It also positions the program as a leader in the broader push for gender equity in athletics, placing women’s sports in premier venues rather than second-tier facilities.

But as with any major transition, there will be growing pains. Some fans have expressed concerns about losing the unique vibe of Gregory Gym, where the walls almost seemed to shake during five-set thrillers. Others worry about the challenge of consistently filling a 15,000-seat arena for a sport that, while growing, still fights for mainstream visibility in some circles.

The team, however, isn’t daunted by the challenge — they’re inspired by it.

“We know what we’re capable of, and we know what this program means to people,” said head coach Elliott. “It’s not about abandoning our past. It’s about building on it.”

Indeed, the foundation is solid. Since Elliott took over the program in 2001, Texas has produced All-Americans, Olympic athletes, and national champions. It’s become a destination for elite talent, a model of consistency, and a symbol of pride not just for the university but for the entire state.

The Moody Center move only amplifies that legacy. It’s a recognition of what Texas Volleyball has become — and a statement of what it still intends to be.

From the coaching staff to the athletic department, from alumni to incoming freshmen, there’s a sense of excitement that’s hard to contain. The 2025 season won’t just be another year — it will be a milestone.

And when the lights go down, the crowd roars, and the Longhorns take the court for the first time inside their new home, it’ll be more than just a volleyball match. It will be the start of something bold, bright, and unmistakably Texas.