The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, welcomes fans to campus Saturday, September 11, for the football game against the University of Pittsburgh. This is UT’s second home football game of the 2021 season.
Kickoff is set for noon EDT in Neyland Stadium, and gates will open at 10 a.m. ESPN will televise the game. Fans are encouraged to visit UTSports.com/gameday/football or follow @UTGameday on Twitter for the latest updates on game information.
The Vols and Panthers will pay tribute to a shared gridiron icon with the game’s designation as the Johnny Majors Classic, in honor of the late legendary head coach and player. The first meeting between the two teams since 1983, the game will include special festivities celebrating Majors’s legacy. Johnny Majors Classic apparel will be available for purchase. The two teams will reprise the event on September 10, 2022, when they meet at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.
During the second quarter, first responders will be honored and recognized on the field, commemorating the 20-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the Pride of the Southland Band’s halftime performance will recognize both 9/11 and Majors.
Fans with digital tickets are strongly encouraged to download them to their mobile devices before arriving on campus. Those with a parking permit, either printed or mobile, are asked to have their permit ready to display upon entering their parking lot.
Vaccine Opportunity
In partnership with the UT Student Health Center and the Knox County Health Department, Tennessee Athletics is offering doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on campus Saturday. The vaccine will be administered by trained medical professionals during a free vaccination clinic event at Vol Village in Humanities Plaza from 9 to 11 a.m.
Members of the public age 12 and older are eligible to receive their first or second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. For those receiving their first dose, resources to coordinate the required second dose also will be available.
Walk-ins are welcome, but preregistration is available online.
Timeline of the Day’s Events
- Parking lots will open at 7 a.m. For more information, see the Parking and Transit Services game day web page.
- Fans can stop by the new Truly’s Tailgate, located outside Gate 9, for food and drinks beginning at 9 a.m. Truly’s will stay open through the end of the third quarter, giving fans in the south concourse a variety of food and drink options and additional restrooms.
- For personal tailgates, fans will be allowed to bring a tent as large as 10 feet by 10 feet for their group. Tents must not block parking spaces or vehicle traffic within a parking area.
- The Toyota Volunteer Village, located in the Humanities Plaza, will offer activities for fans attending the game starting at 8:30 a.m. Fans will be able to take part in 9/11 memorial activities. Signage and volunteers will direct attendees to Room 51 of the Humanities and Social Sciences Building for the vaccine event starting at 9 a.m. Free Tennessee T-shirts and other gifts are available for individuals who receive the vaccine.
- The fan favorite Vol Walk will begin at 9:45 a.m., with the Pride of the Southland Band march scheduled for 10:20 a.m. In the interest of health and safety, fans are asked to remain on the sidewalks along Peyton Manning Pass and Phillip Fulmer Way and refrain from hugs, high-fives, and handshakes during the Vol Walk.
- The Kickoff call-in show, broadcast from the stage near the Gate 21 Plaza, will be available for listeners on the Vol Radio Network starting at 10:30 a.m.
Game Day Safety Measures
- A limited number of boat mooring spaces will be available at the Volunteer Landing and Vol Navy docks. Shuttles will not be available.
- Though not required for entry to Neyland Stadium or movement throughout the seating bowl, facial coverings are encouraged for stadium patrons on game day. Masks are required on the shuttle buses.
- Stadium staff will perform a self-screening for COVID-19 before they enter the stadium.
- Fans are asked to perform a health self-screen and stay home if they feel sick or may have been exposed to COVID-19.
- Fans can bring into the stadium one unopened factory-sealed clear water bottle and one empty clear water bottle per person.
- As required by the SEC, fans are allowed to bring to the stadium one clear plastic bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches or a one-gallon clear resealable plastic storage bag. They also will be allowed a small clutch purse not to exceed 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches.
- Fans interested in purchasing an approved clear bag can visit the Official Team Store at Neyland Stadium; VolShop locations in the Student Union, at the corner of Cumberland Avenue and 17th Street, and in University Commons; and other area retailers.
- No other bags will be allowed inside the stadium. All items are subject to search at the gates.
- For more information, see the clear bag policy.
- Medical bag checkpoints will be at Gates 14 and 21.
- Smoking is prohibited at UT, including within private vehicles parked or operated on university property. The prohibition extends to any lighted tobacco, electronic cigarettes, and other vape devices.
- Anyone attempting to enter the stadium with alcohol will be denied entry.
- The same policies apply to fans sitting in the student section of the stadium.
Unmanned aircraft systems are prohibited on university property within four hours prior to the scheduled kickoff time of a football game, during the game, or within two hours after the conclusion of the game.
Other prohibited items:
- Artificial noisemakers
- Open umbrellas
- Outside food, snacks, and beverages
- Radios without headphones
- Video cameras, professional cameras, and cameras with detachable lenses
- Stadium seats with arms or side pockets
- Selfie sticks
- Weapons of any kind, including pocket knives
No items can be stored or left at the gates. Fans can bring the following items inside the stadium, subject to search at the gates:
- Cushions or seats without arms or side pockets
- Small cameras, binoculars, and mobile phones
- Small bags with medically necessary items (Note: Diapers and non-medically necessary items for babies and young children must be carried in a clear bag.)
Suspicious activity can be reported to the UT Police Department at 865-974-3114.
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CONTACT:
Brooks Clark (865-974-5471, nclark5@utk.edu)
Tom Satkowiak (865-974-7501, tomsid@tennessee.edu)