George Strait Makes Triumphant Return to the Stage at Austin’s Moody Center

George Strait made his long-awaited return to the stage on Thursday evening (April 9). Donning his signature starched Wranglers and black Resistol hat, he appeared in front of 15,000 fans at the Moody Center in Autin, TX and delivered his first show of 2026.

The same arena where the country music icon previously opened with Willie Nelson in April 2022 welcomed him back with arms wide open. To celebrate his first performance in the venue in nearly four years, it was fully decked out with special Strait Moody Center signage.

Austin fans also showed up just as ready for what turned into a two-hour set featuring a massive 28-song setlist, packed tunes spanning his legendary career, including many of his 60 No. 1 hits. As the tunes lit up the speakers, the attendees kept the energy high by singing along and two-stepping through the aisles to classics such as “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind” and shuffling along to “I Just Want To Dance With You.”  

Midway through the set, Strait paused to take in the crowd, saying, “I see we got some cowboys out there tonight, I love it.”

“I love seeing you cowboys out there because you bring the cowgirls with you; this song is for all you cowgirls,” he added, setting the tone for his performance of “How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls,” which appears on his 2007 album, It Just Comes Natural. 

Texas native William Beckmann opened the Country Music Hall of Fame member’s performance and is set to return for his next concert in Moody Center, taking place Saturday, April 11. Carter Faith will also join Strait for his upcoming Moody Center shows on May 15 and 16, which will close out his limited seven-show run at the venue.

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In between his Austin appearances, the country music icon will take his show to Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas and Death Valley in Clemson, SC.

Last night served as yet another reminder of why Strait holds the title of “King of Country Music.” Throughout his legendary career, he has garnered more than 100 million RIAA-certified units, over 60 major industry awards, and a record-breaking streak of Top 10 hits spanning more than three decades.

The Texas native might not spend as much of his time on the road anymore, but he hasn’t completely slowed down. Fans got the latest taste of new music from the Texas native last year when he released his 31st studio album Cowboys And Dreamers. He was also recently inducted into the Texas Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.

Beyond the stage, Strait has used his platform to give back. In addition to his recent Strait to the Heart benefit, which raised more than $7 million for flood relief efforts in Texas, the Jenifer Strait Foundation, established by him and his wife, Norma, continues to preserve the memory of their daughter by raising millions of dollars for children’s organizations over the years.
 
Any fans hoping to score a ticket to see George Strait live on stage should act quickly as limited seats remain available for his remaining 2026 shows. Learn more at georgestrait.com. 

Remaining 2026 George Strait Shows:

Saturday, April 11   Austin, Texas    Moody Center
Friday, April 24    Lubbock, Texas    Jones AT&T Stadium 
Saturday, April 25    Lubbock, Texas    Jones AT&T Stadium
Saturday, May 2    Clemson, SC    Death Valley 
Friday, May 15   Austin, Texas    Moody Center
Saturday, May 16   Austin, Texas    Moody Center