The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, welcomes fans to campus Saturday, October 22, for the homecoming football game against the University of Tennessee at Martin. The 2022 homecoming theme is Salute to Smokey to honor Smokey X for his service to the university and the addition of Smokey XI.
Kickoff is set for noon EDT in Neyland Stadium. Gates open at 10 a.m. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network. Fans are encouraged to visit utsports.com/gameday/football for the latest updates on game information. This is the second time the Vols have played UT Martin. The Skyhawks last visited Neyland Stadium in 2010.
Homecoming Events
There are dozens of homecoming activities on campus leading up to the game including the Little Vol Walk and Homecoming Parade Friday, October 21. The parade starts at 4 p.m. on Volunteer Boulevard across from the LaPorte Track and Field Stadium. It will head north, passing Circle Park, and end as it passes the Joe Johnson and John Ward Pedestrian Mall.
The parade features grand marshals Drew and Ellie Holcomb. The married singer-songwriters met while students at UT. The Holcombs will also join fans Saturday at the Tennessee Tailgate outside the 21st Mortgage Plaza next to the Student Union three hours prior to kickoff.
Game Day Schedule
Campus parking lots will open at 7 a.m. Saturday. 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 three hours before kickoff. Find routes and pricing information on KAT’s website.
Fans are invited to Truly’s Tailgate for food and drinks starting at 9 a.m. Tickets will be required after 10 a.m.
The Toyota Volunteer Village located in Humanities Plaza opens at 8:30 a.m. with food, games, music and more. Fans are invited to stay for the watch party and cheer on the Vols throughout the game. No ticket is required.
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 Vol Walk will begin at 9:45 a.m., with the Pride of the Southland Band march scheduled for 10:20 a.m.
Digital Ticket and Gate Reminders
All tickets and parking passes are digital and can be accessed through a mobile device. 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 with questions about digital tickets should visit 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 are not allowed on the playing surface at any time.
- 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:
Maggie Palmer (865-974-3993, mpalme19@utk.edu)
Tom Satkowiak (865-974-7501, tomsid@tennessee.edu)