The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, welcomes fans to campus Saturday, Nov. 4, for the homecoming football game against the University of Connecticut. This is the first contest between the Volunteers and Huskies. The 2023 homecoming theme, There’s No Place Like Neyland, pays tribute to Tennessee’s iconic stadium.
Kickoff for the sold-out game is set for noon EDT inside Neyland Stadium. Gates open at 10 a.m. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network. Fans can listen to Tennessee Athletics’ official radio broadcast on the Vol Network of 70 stations across Tennessee and the Southeast (locally, WIVK-FM 107.7/WNML-FM 99.1), SiriusXM (Ch. 133 or 191) and the SiriusXM app (Ch. 962), and the Varsity app. A live audio stream of the broadcast will also be available on UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics app. Fans are encouraged to visit utsports.com/gameday/football for the latest updates on game information.
Homecoming Activities
Homecoming features dozens of events for students, alumni, employees and fans to show off their UT pride. The public is invited to take part in the Little Vol Walk and Homecoming Parade on Friday, Nov. 3. The parade along Volunteer Boulevard starts in front of Fraternity Park and ends on Peyton Manning Pass in front of Neyland Stadium. This year’s grand marshal is Vol for Life and College Football Hall of Fame legend Al Wilson.
Honoring Pat Summitt
The team will honor former Lady Vols Basketball Coach Pat Summitt by wearing Summitt Blue accessories with their uniforms. Summitt often faced UConn throughout her legendary career. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase a commemorative cup where fountain drinks are sold that will benefit Alzheimer’s disease research at UT Medical Center. Summitt retired in 2012 after more than a thousand career wins and died in 2016 after a battle with Alzheimer’s.
Game Day Timeline
Parking lots will open at 7 a.m. There is no paid public parking on campus. Shuttles for season ticket parking permit holders will begin running at 9 a.m. Detailed parking information, including public parking options off campus and Knox Area Transit bus routes, is available on the Parking and Transportation football web page.
Fans can enjoy food and drinks at Truly’s Tailgate when it opens at 9 a.m. Tickets are required starting at 10 a.m.
Toyota Volunteer Village, located in Humanities Plaza, opens at 9 a.m. and features live entertainment, games and food.
The traditional Vol Walk starts at 9:45 a.m. The Pride of the Southland Band march is scheduled for 10:20 a.m. Members of the Alumni Band will march with the Pride during halftime as part of the homecoming festivities.
A pregame flyover will feature four T-38 Talon jet fighter trainers from Whiteman Air Force Base in Johnson County, Missouri.
Gate Reminders
Students will line up outside the Neyland Stadium along Phillip Fulmer Way and enter at Gate 10. Ambassadors will be outside the stadium at Gates 10 and 21 to help students and fans navigate the crowds and find their entry points. There will be no entry to the stadium at Gates 16 and 17.
Truly’s Tailgate will enter at Gate 8. Lower West Club will enter at Gate 16A, and Gate 21 is the designated entrance for ADA support. All gates can check medical bags.
Digital Tickets and Parking Passes
All tickets and parking passes will be 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 can find additional information on the UT Athletics Digital Ticketing Guide.
Fans who need assistance with their digital tickets can visit ticket office locations at Gates 21 and 23.
RockyTopWifi
RockyTopWifi, Neyland Stadium’s new Wi-Fi system, continues to be a work in progress. Fans will have Wi-Fi available around the immediate perimeter of the stadium and at each gate to assist with ticket scanning. Fans seated throughout the lower bowl will have access to Wi-Fi in most areas, and all fans seated in the premium sections will have Wi-Fi access. Fans should note that they will not have access to RockyTopWifi in every section of the stadium. Fans can join RockyTopWifi from their mobile device settings. No registration is required.
Phone charging stations will be available in premium and public areas of the stadium.
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.
- 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.
- The clear bag policy has more information.
- Fans can report suspicious activity by texting 865-974-9898 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 (unless medically necessary)
- 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)
Bill Martin (864-974-4167, billmartin@tennessee.edu)