The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, welcomes fans to campus Saturday, September 24, for the football game against the University of Florida. This is UT’s SEC opener and third home game of the season.
Broadcast Information
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. EDT in Neyland Stadium. Gates open at 1:30 p.m. The rivalry matchup is the SEC Game of the Week on CBS. Fans are encouraged to visit utsports.com/gameday/football or follow @UTGameday on Twitter for the latest updates on game information.
The ESPN College GameDay pregame show will broadcast on Rocky Top for the first time since the 2016 season. The show will air live from 9 a.m. to noon EDT from the lawn of Ayres Hall. ESPN’s SportsCenter will have live shots from the lawn between 8 and 9 a.m.
Checker Neyland
UT is asking fans to Checker Neyland for the sold-out game. Fans are encouraged to wear orange or white, depending on their seat location inside the stadium. Fans can go to CheckerNeyland.com to enter their section, row, and seat number as they appear on their digital ticket to determine which color they should wear. Fans in the North End Zone Party Deck are encouraged to wear white.
Game Day Schedule
Campus parking lots will open at 7 a.m. For more information, including downtown parking options for fans without a football parking permit, visit the Parking and Transit Services football web page.
Knox Area Transit game day shuttles to campus start at 12:30 p.m. Shuttles from downtown Knoxville cost $10 per person round trip. Shuttles from Farragut High school cost $20 per person round trip. Find routes and more information on KAT’s website.
Fans can stop by the Truly’s Tailgate for food and drinks starting at 11:30 a.m. Tickets will be required after 1:30 p.m.
The Toyota Volunteer Village located in Humanities Plaza opens at noon with food, games, music, and giveaways. Fans are also invited to stay for the game and watch on big screens.
The public is invited to the Voter and Civic Engagement Tailgate from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the Howard Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy, 1640 Cumberland Avenue. Enjoy chicken and biscuits, play cornhole, and learn about upcoming voting and civic engagement opportunities. The event is free.
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 1:25 p.m., with the Pride of the Southland Band march scheduled for 1:50 p.m.
A pregame flyover–coinciding with the national anthem–will feature a KC-135 from the United States Air Force 134th Air Refueling Wing at McGhee Tyson Air Base.
Digital Ticket and Gate Reminders
All tickets and parking passes will be digital and can be accessed through a mobile device. For quick and easy access, 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. Fans can find more tips in UT Athletics’ Digital Ticketing Guide.
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.
Students will enter at Gates 4, 4a, and 5 on the east side of the Neyland Stadium.
Fans entering the stadium through Gate 21, Gate 10, and Truly’s Tailgate will take part in a walkthrough weapons detection system before scanning their ticket. Fans should have their mobile devices ready to scan, but they will not have to remove keys or wallets from their pockets.
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.)
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CONTACT:
Lisa Leko (865-974-8698, lleko@utk.edu)
Tom Satkowiak (865-974-7501, tomsid@tennessee.edu)