Why Did Spurs Push for Third Moody Center Game This Season? 'It Just Made Sense'

AUSTIN, Texas — The San Antonio Spurs weren't given the choice of who they'd face for any of the three games they plan to play at Austin's Moody Center this season. With all eyes set to be on Texas' capital in late October, however, the NBA played along.

Between Formula 1's United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas on Oct. 25 and Texas Longhorns football hosting the Ole Miss Rebels at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium on Oct. 24, Austin was already set to be the center of the sports world for the weekend.

Now, the Spurs and Houston Rockets will both be in on the action. The two teams are scheduled to face each other on Prime Video on Friday, Oct. 23 at 8:30 p.m. Central.

“The NBA is very particular about not letting teams influence opponents and scheduling," Spurs Sports & Entertainment SVP of Strategic Growth Brandon James told Spurs On SI over a phone call, "but ... I think given the opponent that we got, it is validation that the NBA is on board with our global growth efforts. It sees the value of our presence here.”

Feb 21, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; The San Antonio Spurs Coyote performs in the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Moody Center. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Sending the Rockets to Austin allows ex-Longhorn Kevin Durant, now entering his 19th season in the league, to return to his college town for the second time since February 2025, adding to the allure around the stand-alone matchup on the University of Texas' campus.

The last time Durant was in town, his Phoenix Suns took the court against the Spurs on the same day Victor Wembanyama received his season-ending deep vein thrombosis diagnosis.

"I think it's going to be an electric time," Durant said the day before the game. "This city is a basketball city ... just bringing that NBA energy is going to be amazing. Of course (fans are) going to come show out for the Spurs and a former Longhorn."

With both players currently healthy, the hope for all parties is to attract an even larger crowd; the Spurs have sold out every matchup at Moody Center since their first one in 2023.

“It's far exceeded what we anticipated," James explained. "This was always a long-term commitment, so we've been very strategic and very intentional about how we show up ... we want to make sure that what we do is additive and not a distraction or a nuisance.”

As for throwing their hat in the ring for F1 weekend in Austin? It was an easy decision.

"Every eyeball in sports is going to be on Austin," James said. "We felt that we should be part of that. We want our fans to see our brand in appealing ways ... it just made sense."

Mar 8, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) looks up in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Adding a third "home" game in Austin became possible after the Spurs pushed for Bexar County commissioners to amend their non-relocation agreement in July, allowing them to host as many as four games away from Frost Bank Center in 2026-27 and 2027-28.

The two games at Moody Center that normally break up San Antonio's annual Rodeo Road Trip in February are still slated to happen. The Spurs will host the Memphis Grizzlies on Feb. 26 and the Denver Nuggets on Feb. 28, while their fourth "home" game will be on Jan. 14 against the New Orleans Pelicans in Paris as part of the NBA's ongoing global expansion.

While Wembanyama has obvious ties to France, he — like the rest of his teammates — have begun to embrace Austin as an extension of their San Antonio fanbase. That, James says, has helped accelerate the growth the Spurs have seen in Central Texas.

"Austin is super cool," Wembanyama said on his third trip. "For me, San Antonio, they’re my people, but Austin, they’re my people, as well. They welcome us and show much love."

Added Stephon Castle: “It’s obviously not a San Antonio home game, but we’ve still got a lot of fans out here. No matter where we play, we’ll always have a little bit of energy.”

Feb 19, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) leads the crowd in a cheer after a victory over the Phoenix Suns at Moody Center. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Spurs' efforts in Austin haven't been limited to the games they've played. For the past three years, the team has hosted activations, meet and greets and given back to Austin during what it coined "Spurs Week" in the days leading up to the pair of games.

In November, the Spurs expanded their presence in Austin further by becoming the first NBA team to secure naming rights for a half marathon. The second Spurs Austin International Half is slated for Jan. 17 on the same day the Spurs face the Pelicans in Manchester.

Partnerships like that have served as proof for James, who has spearheaded the Spurs' global expansion efforts since 2022, that connecting with non-local fans, especially in Austin, is a matter of getting out what you put in. He says it's been smoother each year.

“Fans are really seeing that we're coming here and being authentic to who we are," James said of the Spurs' Austin push. "We spent so long building these relationships and telling the story of our purpose here in Austin that ... fans are telling the story for us now, it seems like.”

While the week leading up to the next installment of the Spurs' visit to Central Texas is still being worked on, the Spurs are remaining firm on one thing: expanding their fanbase beyond the limits of San Antonio does not undermine their commitment to the city.

Just because F1 comes to Austin doesn't mean the Spurs want to pack up and move.

“We are absolutely committed to San Antonio," James said to conclude the interview. "We're also committed to leveraging our brand and reaching our audiences wherever they may be. Austin is absolutely a part of our market. Both things can be true."

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