There’s nothing quite like a Saturday in Knoxville. The air smells like BBQ, the streets are a sea of orange, and Neyland Stadium is shaking.
Whether it’s your first Tennessee football game or your fiftieth, here’s how to tackle gameday in Knoxville like a local pro.
Looking for current UT football parking, transportation, shuttle, traffic and stadium information? Visit our University of Tennessee Football Gameday Guide for the latest gameday details.
Start Your Tennessee Football Gameday in Downtown Knoxville
Wake up.
Take a breath of fresh East Tennessee fall air.
It’s a football gameday in Knoxville, Tennessee, and the Tennessee Vols — accompanied by thousands upon thousands of passionate fans — will soon make their way into Neyland Stadium to sing “Rocky Top” until they lose their voices.
First things first: get downtown early. And I mean multiple hours before kickoff early.
Take your time to explore downtown Knoxville before heading toward campus. Grab a meal in Market Square, peruse the shops on Gay Street, or make your way down to the Old City if you have time. Knoxville has no shortage of excellent places to eat, grab coffee, shop or purchase some UT gear to don for the big game. If you haven’t explored the University of Tennessee campus and Cumberland Avenue before, we’ve also got a guide to help you get to know this part of Knoxville.
Head Toward the University of Tennessee Campus
After filling your belly, having a beer or doing whatever gets you in the mood for football, make your way toward the University of Tennessee campus well before kickoff.
Tennessee is home to one of college football’s most tradition-filled gameday experiences, and it would be a travesty to miss it.
As you head down Cumberland Avenue toward UT’s campus, take in the sights: a sea of tailgaters sporting orange and white, footballs and cornhole bags flying through the air, good music and a general sense of excitement knowing that in only a matter of hours, the Tennessee Volunteers will take the field.
If you chose to walk from downtown, catch your breath. When they talk about “down in the East Tennessee hills” in the UT anthem “Rocky Top,” they are not kidding. But you made it to campus!
Now it’s time for some of the traditions that make a Tennessee football gameday unlike any other.
At the intersection of Peyton Manning Pass and Volunteer Boulevard lies one of the best places to experience a Tennessee gameday.
Circle Park, a quiet escape on campus during the week, transforms on football Saturdays into a tailgating scene filled with tents, TVs, good eats and a whole lot of orange and white.
Walk a lap around the park — it is a circle, literally — to see how Tennesseans tailgate. Families should also look for Vol Village, UT's free pregame fan experience, where activities vary by game and season. And keep your eyes open for Tennessee's beloved bluetick coonhound mascot, Smokey!
See the Vol Navy
Not many schools have a football stadium sitting directly along a river, much less a tailgate party on boats within walking distance of the game.
Fans have been traveling to Tennessee games by boat for decades, turning the Tennessee River outside Neyland Stadium into one of the most recognizable sights in college football.
Even opposing fans have admitted how spectacular the Vol Navy is — and SEC competitors are not usually quick to dish out compliments, if that tells you anything.
You don't need a boat to appreciate it. Take a walk along the riverfront and enjoy the sight of boats decked out in Tennessee orange arriving on Rocky Top.
Don't Miss the Vol Walk
You've seen the tailgating sights. You've probably already been told “Go Vols!”
What's left?
Oh yeah — the football team themselves.
Before each home football game, the Tennessee Volunteers make their way to Neyland Stadium during the Vol Walk.
The team begins its walk at the Torchbearer statue in Circle Park before heading down Peyton Manning Pass and into Neyland Stadium. Fans pack the route, the band plays, and the volume level steadily increases as kickoff gets closer. Find a good spot along the route and wait.
Trust me: the screaming fans will let you know when the team is heading your way, and you'll be ready to stick out your hands and collect a few high fives from players along the way!
The Vol Walk currently begins 2 hours and 15 minutes before kickoff, while the Pride of the Southland Band begins its march toward Neyland Stadium 1 hour and 40 minutes before kickoff. Always check UT Athletics' current gameday schedule before your visit in case timing changes.
Located along the Tennessee River in the heart of Knoxville, Neyland Stadium has been home to more than a century of Tennessee football traditions and today holds 101,915 fans. The stadium has continued to evolve over the years, but the experience remains unmistakably Tennessee. So head on in and find your spot amid the crowd.
It has been a long day of walking, eating and tailgating, and you have earned the priceless view from your seat. Take a look around.
Thousands of Tennessee fans surround you — some who have been coming here every year of their lives and others experiencing the awe and wonder of Neyland Stadium for the very first time.
The energy is palpable, and Neyland Stadium is clad in Big Orange for as far as the eye can see. Then the Pride of the Southland Band takes the field.
The anticipation builds. And the Tennessee Volunteers run through the Power T.
One thing is certain:
It's Football Time in Tennessee!
Make a Weekend of Gameday in Knoxville
Here's the part first-time visitors sometimes miss: Tennessee football doesn't have to be the only thing you experience while you're here.
Downtown Knoxville and the University of Tennessee campus sit remarkably close together, making it easy to build an entire weekend around the game.
Explore Market Square, walk Gay Street, grab a drink in the Old City, visit the Sunsphere, follow the riverfront or find a Knoxville restaurant for a celebratory postgame meal.
Because the game may be the reason you came to Knoxville.
But there's plenty more worth sticking around for.
FAQs
What on earth is the "Vol Navy"?
It’s exactly what it sounds like—a massive fleet of over 200 boats! Fans "sailgate" on the Tennessee River right outside the stadium. It’s one of the coolest traditions in sports. Just walk the Neyland Greenway (the riverfront path) to see the floating party for yourself.
Unique Factor: Only three stadiums in the country allow you to boat to the game. We do it best.
The View: Even if you don't have a boat, the river walk is the best place for a pre-game photo.
When can I see the Vol Walk?
Set your watch for 2 hours and 15 minutes before kickoff. That’s when the players and coaches march down Peyton Manning Pass. It’s loud, it’s high-energy, and it’s the best way to get hyped for the game.
The Music: Stick around for the Pride of the Southland Band. Their march starts 1 hour and 40 minutes before kickoff.
Don't Be Late: You must be in your seat 20 minutes before the game starts. Missing the team "Run Through the T" is a gameday sin!
What’s the bag policy at Neyland Stadium?
Keep it clear! To get through security quickly, you need a clear plastic bag no bigger than 12" x 6" x 12". If your bag is solid or oversized, the stadium staff will send you back to your car.
Phone Check: Your ticket is on your phone. Make sure your battery is charged—paper tickets won't work!
Rain Plan: Umbrellas are allowed, but don't open them in the stands. A cheap poncho in your clear bag might be easier to deal with.
Where is the best gameday grub?
For the full experience, head to Market Square for a sit-down meal or hit Cumberland Avenue ("The Strip") for classic student hangouts. If you’re already inside the stadium, you have to try a Petro’s. It’s a Knoxville legend: chili and toppings served right in a chip bag.
The Local Staple: Grab a "Hint-of-Orange" iced tea at Petro's. It's refreshing and on-brand.
The After-Party: Win or lose, the Old City is the place to be after the game for celebrating with a local craft beer.
What are the must-see traditions at a Tennessee football game?
For a first-time visitor, put the Vol Walk, Pride of the Southland Band march, Vol Navy, Tennessee tailgating, and the team's Run Through the T at the top of your list.
How early should I arrive for a Tennessee football game?
Plan to arrive in Knoxville several hours before kickoff. Gameday is much more than the football game itself, and arriving early gives you time to enjoy downtown Knoxville, walk to campus, experience tailgating and see traditions like the Vol Walk. For current kickoff-specific timing, parking, transportation and road information, check Visit Knoxville's University of Tennessee Football Gameday Guide and official UT Athletics gameday information.
Can you walk from downtown Knoxville to Neyland Stadium?
Yes. One of the advantages of attending a Tennessee football game is the proximity of downtown Knoxville to the University of Tennessee campus and Neyland Stadium. Just remember: Knoxville isn't exactly flat so wear comfortable shoes.
What is the Vol Navy?
The Vol Navy is Tennessee's famous tradition of football fans arriving and tailgating by boat on the Tennessee River beside Neyland Stadium.
Even visitors without a boat can enjoy the spectacle from Knoxville's riverfront.
Where can I find current parking and transportation information?
Because parking areas, traffic plans, road closures and shuttle information can change, we keep those details on our University of Tennessee Football Gameday Guide. Check that page before every trip to Neyland Stadium for the most current information.
Author
Visit Knoxville
Visit Knoxville is the official Convention and Visitors Bureau for Knoxville and Knox County. It’s our priority and privilege to promote Knoxville as a nature-loving-adventure-seeking-artsy-kinda-town! If you're seeing this, that means a VK team member, past or present, or maybe even an intern, wrote this post.
