Tennessee will open the gates of historic Neyland Stadium to the fans for the Vols’ second game of the season. UT’s home opener will come on Saturday, Sept. 6, in a non-conference game against ETSU at 3:30 p.m. in a game broadcast on SEC Network+ and ESPN+.
Fans will see a slew of new enhancements, changes, and upgrades to the stadium experience this fall, including new vendor items, new restrooms, new chairbacks in selection locations, and much more.
Perhaps the most notable change that will impact all fans going into the season at Neyland Stadium is that it will turn into a cashless venue. As written by Tennessee Athletics in a press release, “fans should be prepared as they approach concession stands, Vol Shop or any retail locations inside the stadium. All Tennessee venues will be cashless during the 2025-26 athletic year.”
Fans have adjusted to the digital ticket system in Neyland since the 2022 season. The in-stadium purchases will now be going in the same direction with the cashless venue change.
Another point to note is that Tennessee’s RockyTopWiFi is now fully functional throughout the entire stadium, providing fans a better way to stay connected with friends online during the games.
There are also several new concession changes and additions around and outside of the stadium. At the Truly’s Tailgate, located outside Gate 9, fans will have the option of purchasing Texas Roadhouse food, along with Scoops Ice Cream Shop, Good Ol Chicken Shack, Mac’nMore macaroni and cheese, Petro’s Chili & Chips, Calhoun’s, The General’s Grill items, and more. Additionally, there will be new in-stadium options, including buffalo chicken mac n’ cheese, Knoxville flavored chicken tenders, curly fries, rotating chef specials in select areas, ice cream, and more.
In the premium Tennessee Terrace seating section, there will be new options such as Chesapeake’s, Copper Cellar, and Calhoun’s.
Gate 9, which is located next to the South Ramp that enters the stadium close to the G10 parking garage, has doubled in size. The nearby southwest plaza has also been expanded to help ease the traffic heading into the stadium in that specific location.
The Vols’ pregame routine is also changing. While The Pride of the Southland marching band will still be coming down Peyton Manning Pass, it will no longer be passing over pedestrian bridge on campus prior to entering the stadium. Instead, Salute to the Hill will take place at the bottom of Peyton Manning Pass and Phillip Fulmer Way. While not lining up to see the band or at their own tailgate, fans are encouraged to check out Tennessee’s Volunteer Gameday Show, which takes place two hours before kickoff from Truly’s Tailgate.
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Here’s a list of the remaining changes and updates, courtesy of the Tennessee Athletics press release this week:
South End Zone Updates
- Fans will see larger, new restrooms, a new UT Medical first aid station and a significantly wider concourse to help fans navigate their way around the south end of the stadium.
- Fans will discover a Vintage Volunteer trailer located behind section M on the new south concourse of Neyland Stadium. The shop will offer vintage gear and unique items.
- A new elevator has been added to the southeast corner of Neyland Stadium, allowing patrons to access all three levels on the south.
Updated Chairbacks
- The new chairback seats that were installed in the bowl of Neyland Stadium last season now have an updated design that will limit the amount the chair reclines on those seated behind each fan. This improved feature will be on all chairbacks around the stadium.
West Sideline Signage
- Returning to Neyland Stadium this season, fans will see fixed signage along the west sideline showcasing Tennessee football’s retired numbers and national championships. Changes were made to this area due to ongoing construction projects and enhancements.
Premium Seating Enhancements
- New graphics, murals and modern Tennessee branding have been applied in the lobbies at Gate 15 and 19.
- New windows have been installed on both the east and west skyboxes. Suite holders will see improved functionality to the windows.
Pregame Updates
- Fans on the south end of the stadium will notice an extended security perimeter this season. Fans will be asked to walk through metal detectors on the southeast corner of Neyland Stadium closer to the Zeanah Engineering building, while exiting the middle walkway of G10 garage onto the south pedestrian walkway, on Phillip Fulmer Way outside of the G10 entrance, at the exit point of G5/30 on Phillip Fulmer Way and just south of Peyton Manning Pass.
- Fans will be able to go in and out of the extended security perimeter throughout the day, and they will be able to use the restrooms located under Ramp 10 in Truly’s Tailgate.
- Tickets will not be scanned until a fan enters at a gate and gates will open two hours prior to kickoff.
Phillip Fulmer Way Closure
- Beginning this fall, Peyton Manning Pass and Phillip Fulmer Way from Cumberland Avenue to Lake Loudoun Boulevard will be closed. The closure will go into place each gameday at 5 a.m. ET.
- Only vehicles with permits for Lot 9/9B and Middle Drive will be allowed to turn onto Phillip Fulmer Way from Cumberland Avenue. No vehicles will be permitted access to Lot 9/9B down Peyton Manning Pass and only approved/commercial vehicles will be permitted up Phillip Fulmer Way from Lake Loudoun Boulevard.
- The changes provide enhanced security measures in the most congested areas surrounding Neyland Stadium, minimizes risk and creates a safe gameday environment.
Parking Passes
- Parking passes will utilize the same mobile technology as all tickets. Fans will no longer see a QR code and should see a moving barcode on all parking passes. A reminder, fans will not be able to use screen shots for entry.
Public Shuttles/Ride Share
- Shuttles from the Ag campus and off-campus locations will no longer drop off in Circle Park. All shuttles that previously dropped at Circle Park will now drop on Volunteer Boulevard at the Stokely Garage (G16) bus-cutouts.
- KAT will continue to offer Vol fans safe and easy public transit options. KAT will run from Civic Coliseum and Market Square for all games. An Old City shuttle will run for SEC gamedays on Sept. 13 (Georgia), Oct. 11 (Arkansas), Nov. 1 (Oklahoma) and Nov. 29 (Vanderbilt). For more information on KAT, visit here.
- Pregame and postgame ride share will now drop off and pick up at “The Hill.”
ADA Parking/Shuttles
- Tennessee Athletics makes assignments to its Tennessee Fund donors, including individuals requiring accessible parking. Individuals attending games who do not qualify for Tennessee Fund accessible parking may apply for accessible parking through the UT Parking and Transportation Services Office.
- Please note that this type of accessible parking is limited and requires documentation of a valid accessible parking placard/license plate and current season football tickets. Accessible parking is not available for donor-only lots unless a valid permit for that specific lot is presented.
- Limited, free ADA/accessible parking is available on the UT Agriculture campus on a first-come, first-served basis and a valid accessible parking placard or license plate is required.
- Free, fully accessible shuttle service to the student union loading dock beginning three hours prior to kickoff and running one hour postgame is available.
- The accessible shuttle picks up at the Business Incubator Building at 2450 E.J. Chapman Drive.
- Football shuttles begin returning to parking areas with 10 minutes left in the third quarter.
- Once UT ADA/accessible parking is full, visitors can utilize Civic Coliseum parking at 500 Howard Baker Jr Avenue.
For a full list of every change and enhancement that’s coming to Neyland Stadium for the 2025 football season this fall, check out Tennessee’s official press release with additional information and links here.
