The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, welcomes fans to campus Thursday, September 1, for a prime-time matchup against Ball State University. This is UT’s first football game of the season.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. EDT in Neyland Stadium. Gates open at 5 p.m. The SEC Network 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.
Digital Tickets and Parking Passes
Starting this season, all tickets and parking passes will be digital and can be accessed through a mobile device to improve security, reduce the risk of fraud, and make the process more convenient for fans.
Fans will be admitted into Neyland Stadium with a unique bar code which will be scanned directly from a mobile device. Staff will scan mobile tickets and pedestal scanners will be located throughout the stadium at select gates. Staff wearing neon green shirts will be able to assist fans. Parking permits will be scanned by lot attendants.
For quick and easy entry, fans are encouraged to download the Tennessee Athletics app from the Apple App Store or Google Play and download their tickets to their Apple Wallet or Google Pay before arriving on campus. Screen shots and tickets printed at home will not be accepted. Fans without a smartphone should contact the UT Ticket Office ahead of game day at 865-656-1200. Fans can find more tips in UT Athletics’ Digital Ticketing Guide. Everyone, regardless of age, must have a ticket.
Game Day Parking and Shuttles
Parking lots will open to fans starting at 1 p.m. ADA shuttles from accessible parking locations will begin running at 4 p.m. Accessible parking for those with a preassigned permit is located in the G10 garage or on the UT Institute of Agriculture campus. Additional first-come, first-served general public accessible parking is located on the UTIA campus.
Knox Area Transit football shuttles that take fans to and from downtown parking locations and Farragut High School will not be running. The KAT Orange Trolley will remain operational until 11:15 p.m. The trolley will bring guests from downtown Knoxville to either the Student Union or Peyton Manning Pass. Guests can also choose to take a regular KAT bus to campus. A day pass costs $2, and there are five routes that can take fans to Cumberland Avenue:
Gate Changes
There are gate changes for the 2022 season. Students will no longer enter the stadium through Gate 23. They will now enter at Gates 4, 4a, and 5 on the east side of the stadium. The Lower West Club entrance is Gate 21b, and fans heading to the North Deck will enter at Gate 23. Fans entering Neyland Stadium through Gate 21, Gate 10, and Truly’s Tailgate will take part in a new walkthrough weapons detection system before scanning their ticket. Fans should have their mobile devices out and ready to scan, but they will not have to remove keys or wallets from their pockets.
Game Day Activities
Fans are invited to the Truly’s Tailgate for food and drinks starting at 4 p.m. Tickets will be required after 5 p.m.
Fans can enjoy food, games, music, and giveaways at the Toyota Volunteer Village, located in Humanities Plaza, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
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 traditional Vol Walk will begin at 4:45 pm., with the Pride of the Southland Band march scheduled for 5:20 p.m. The band march will begin at the pedestrian bridge for the September 1 game.
At the conclusion of the national anthem, three UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the Army Aviation Support Facility at McGhee Tyson Air Base will conduct a flyover of the stadium.
Halftime entertainment includes a Neyland Lights show.
Game Day Safety Measures
- Fans can bring into the stadium one unopened factory-sealed clear water bottle and one empty clear water bottle per person.
- Medical bag checkpoints will be at Gates 14 and 21.
- 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. No other bags will be allowed inside the stadium.
- 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.
- All items are subject to search at gates.
- For more information, see the clear bag policy.
- Fans can report suspicious activity by texting 865-974-1205 with their seat location (concourse, section, row, seat number) and issue.
- 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 beginning four hours before the scheduled kickoff time of a football game, during the game, and for 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.)
–
CONTACT:
Lisa Leko (865-974-8698, lleko@utk.edu)
Tom Satkowiak (865-974-7501, tomsid@tennessee.edu)