AUSTIN, Texas — Texas is planning 100% capacity at football games this fall. One fan is eager to have fans next to him again as he attends his 536th consecutive Texas Longhorns football game.

What You Need To Know

  • Texas fan and alumnus Scott Wilson is set to attend his 536th consecutive game 

  • He hasn't missed a game in more than 50 years and has the goal of attending 600

  • This fall, Texas football games at DKR Stadium will have 100% capacity

  • Some protective measures will be in place, and although masks will not be required, health experts strong recommend them

He hasn’t missed a game in over 50 years. He doesn’t plan to start now.

“I hope I can make it to 600 and probably not to 700,” Longhorns fan and University of Texas at Austin alumnus Scott Wilson said. “I don't know but I hope I can keep going a little ways because I'm almost 70 years old.”

His 536th game in a row will be the 2021 season opener against Louisiana.

When 2020 approached he was at risk of losing his streak. DKR Texas Memorial Stadium was operating at 25% capacity due to COVID-19, but missing a game wasn’t an option. 

“There was no question,” Wilson said. “The only worry was that some people were having games where they were excluding fans. They said no fans, but we didn't have that type of game.” 

This 2021-2022 football season, DKR is set to operate at 100% capacity, meaning more than 100,000 people packing the stands with the addition of the South End Zone. 

According to TexasSports.com, social distancing markers will be placed around the stadium in areas where lines may form including restroom facilities, concessions and merchandise locations. Additional wayfinding and safety signage will be added to support queuing at exterior gates, seating section entrances and parking/transportation areas.

Austin Public Health Chief Epidemiologist Janet Pichette says that at any event that brings fans together in a congregate manner, people need to take measures to protect themselves. 

“We have widespread community transmission going on right now,” Pichette said. “In some areas of a game where I see that there could be transmission of disease occurring easily is as folks are queuing, entering the stadium, exiting, when they're waiting in that line for the bathroom or waiting in line for a food vendor and they're in a very tight space.”

This season masks are optional, but she says the best thing fans can do is keep facial protection on.