How can I attend an Austin City Limits Taping?

No tickets are sold for Austin City Limits tapings. Instead, you must win passes by entering an online giveaway, which typically opens about a week before each taping on the official website.

Where do the tapings take place?

Tapings are held at ACL Live at the Moody Theater, located at 310 W. 2nd Street (Willie Nelson Blvd.) in downtown Austin. Prior to 2011, the show was recorded on the UT Austin campus.

What time do the tapings start, and when should I arrive?

Tapings start promptly at 8:00 p.m. and generally last at least one hour. Venue gates, will call, and exterior bars open at 6:00 p.m., studio doors open at 7:00 p.m., and you must enter by 7:40 p.m. to guarantee your admission.

What is the history and significance of Austin City Limits?

Austin City Limits is the longest-running music series in television history, having taped its pilot episode with Willie Nelson in 1974. It is the only TV series to receive the National Medal of Arts, and it has also been honored as a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Landmark and a Peabody Award recipient.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Austin City Limits Taping in Austin

Austin City Limits Taping

Experience the legacy of Austin City Limits, the longest-running music series in television history. Located at the Moody Theater, this iconic venue hosts legendary tapings that have shaped Austin's musical identity since 1974.

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What to know

Austin City Limits (ACL) stands as a monumental institution in American music history. As the longest-running music series in television history, it holds the unique distinction of being the only television series ever awarded the prestigious National Medal of Arts. The program's journey began on October 17, 1974, when it taped its very first pilot episode featuring the legendary Willie Nelson. Over the decades, ACL has evolved from its roots as a local outlaw-country showcase into a globally recognized, mandatory stop for superstars, innovators, and rising talents across all musical genres. For its first 36 years, the show was recorded on the University of Texas at Austin campus. Tapings took place on the sixth floor of the Jesse H. Jones Communications Building, specifically inside Studio 6A in Communications Building B. The program's immense cultural impact was cemented in 2009 when it was designated an official Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Landmark, followed by a rare institutional Peabody Award for excellence and outstanding achievement in 2012. In 2011, the show transitioned to a new era, moving its home to ACL Live at the Moody Theater. This state-of-the-art facility is situated in downtown Austin at 310 Willie Nelson Boulevard (also known as West 2nd Street), right next-door to the W Hotel. Now in its 50th season, this Austin PBS original show continues to draw music lovers from around the world. Attending a live taping is a highly coveted experience, but you cannot simply buy a ticket. Admission is entirely free, with passes distributed exclusively through public giveaways. Approximately one week before a scheduled taping, Austin PBS opens an online email registration form on their website. Winners are notified via email and receive a pair of passes to experience a piece of television and music history firsthand.

Visitor tips

No tickets are sold for tapings; you must register online about a week in advance for a chance to win a pair of passes.
If you win passes, arrive early: the front porch bar and will call open at 6:00 p.m., while theater doors open at 7:00 p.m.
Make sure to enter the studio by 7:40 p.m., as late entry is not guaranteed, and tapings start promptly at 8:00 p.m.
Keep an eye on your email inbox after registering, as giveaway winners are notified exclusively via email.

Nearby context

Located in the heart of Downtown Austin, ACL Live at the Moody Theater sits on Willie Nelson Boulevard, surrounded by the vibrant energy of the city's central business and entertainment district. After checking out the venue, you can easily explore the wider downtown area or head northeast to enjoy the green spaces of Waterloo Park, making this a perfect anchor point for a day of urban exploration.