Neyland Stadium

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One of the most iconic landmarks in sport, Neyland Stadium is the sixth-largest college football venue in the nation.

More Than a Century of Tradition
History
General Neyland
Quick Facts
How Neyland Stadium Grew
Stadium Tours
Directions to Neyland Stadium
Seating Chart

Neyland Stadium Information

Address:
1235 Phillip Fulmer Way SW
Knoxville, TN, 37996
Capacity:
101,915

Ticket Information
Gameday Information
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Neyland Stadium: What They're Saying

More Than a Century of Tradition

Tennessee Athletics in the fall of 2021 celebrated 100 years of Volunteers football at historic Neyland Stadium, usheringin a new era. During its first century of service to the Big Orange faithful, the venue grew in both capacity and reverence while evolving into one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world.

Six Tennessee teams that captured national championships have called Neyland Stadium home, while 22players and four head coaches authored careers worthy of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame on Neyland’s hallowed ground. The 2024 season will be the 103rd in the venue that

Recent decades have brought six-figure expansion, development of innovative premium-seating sections and stadium-wide amenity enhancements. Efforts to prepare Neyland Stadium for its next century of service continue thanks to a comprehensive stadium master plan fueled by the My All Campaign.

Renovation scope completed prior to the 2022 football season brought Neyland Stadium's capacity to 101,915.

Neyland Stadium Photo Gallery

The introduction of new lower-west club and upper-north social deck spaces for the start of the 2022 season brought Neyland Stadium’s seating capacity to 101,915—sixth largest among college football venues.

Other recent stadium enhancements include the restoration of the historic V-O-L-S letters along the top of the facility’s south end (2022), a second videoboard on the upper-north deck (2022) and bronze statues honoring four of Tennessee’s Black football trailblazers (2021).

Neyland Stadium rose to prominence once again during the 2022 seasonas Tennessee went 7-0 in its confines, outscoring opponents 387-152. They sold it out for six consecutive games and drew a total of 703,727 fans for an average of 100,532—both of which ranked in the top five nationally. It was the first time since 2007 that UT sold out six or more games.

In June 2023, the UT Board of Trustees approved Tennessee Athletics’ request to adjust the scope and budget of the ongoing Neyland Stadium renovations project to $337 million. The project includes new deliverables each football season through the fall of 2026. Future updates feature necessary upgrades to the south side and perimeter of the stadium, including the widening of concourses, construction of expanded gates and entryways and additional restrooms and concessions areas. In the spring of 2023, installation of a very high density (VHD) Wi-Fi network began in the stadium. The technology will be partially available to fans in the fall of 2023 with full stadium-wide connectivity available in 2024.

Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White’s vision for Neyland Stadium aligns with Tennessee Athletics’ stated goals of modernizing the fan and visitor experience through enhanced amenities and diversified seating options, improving fan safety and security and aligning stadium features and aesthetics with campus architectural standards.

A critical element in the plan is major and necessary upgrades to the south side and perimeter of the stadium, including the widening of concourses, construction of expanded gates and entryways and provision of additional restrooms and concessions areas. The delivery of this primary component will dramatically improve fan comfort and safety, reduce wait times and allow for more food and beverage offerings.

The ongoing renovations phase will provide annual deliverables through an anticipated project completion date of Fall 2026.

History

The present day Neyland Stadium, Shields-Watkins Field, had its beginning in 1919. Col. W.S. Shields, president of Knoxville's City National Bank and a UT trustee, provided the initial capital to prepare and equip an athletic field. Thus, when the field was completed in March 1921, it was called Shields-Watkins Field in honor of the donor and his wife, Alice Watkins-Shields.

The stadium, apart from the field it grew to enclose, came to bear its own distinguished name—Neyland Stadium. It was named for the man most responsible for the growth and development of Tennessee's proud football tradition. General Robert R. Neyland served as head coach from 1926-1952, with two interruptions for military service.

General Neyland

General Robert Neyland posted a 173-31-12 record in 21 seasons as Tennessee's head football coach. A twice life-size statue of Neyland at the stadium was dedicated in November 2010.

The history and tradition of Tennessee football began when Gen. Robert Reese Neyland came to Tennessee as an ROTC instructor and backfield coach in 1925 and was named head football coach in 1926. From that date, Tennessee was in the college football arena to stay.

Neyland, who came to Tennessee as an Army captain and left as a brigadier general, brought one of the most efficient single-wing offenses in the country to go with an unyielding defense. It was Gene McEver who kicked off the Neyland era with his 98-yard return of the opening kickoff in the 1928 Alabama game, a game the underdog Vols won 15-13. Each of his succeeding eras would be highlighted by similar big plays. Johnny Butler's 56-yard run against Alabama in 1939 and Hank Lauricella's 75-yard run against Texas in the 1951 Cotton Bowl.

Neyland's 1939 Vols were the last to shut out each of its regular season opponents. Over the course of his career, 112 of 216 opponents failed to score against his Tennessee teams and the Vols still own an NCAA record for holding opponents scoreless for 71 consecutive quarters.

Neyland's teams won Southern Conference titles in 1927 and 1932, piling up undefeated streaks of 33 and 28 games along the way, and SEC championships in 1938, 1939, 1940, 1946 and 1951. In addition, Neyland-coached teams won four national championships. The Vols were consensus national champions in 1951 and Neyland's 21-year record at Tennessee was 173-31-12.

His legacy continues to live through his name on the football stadium, UT's indoor football complex (Neyland-Thompson Sports Center) and the road paralleling the Tennessee River (Neyland Drive).

Quick Facts

First game as Shields-Watkins Field:
Sept. 24, 1921
Tennessee - 27 / Emory & Henry - 0

Dedication game as Neyland Stadium:
Oct. 20, 1962
Alabama - 27 / Tennessee - 7

First game on artificial turf:
Sept. 14, 1968
Tennessee - 17 / Georgia - 17

Final game on artificial turf:
Nov. 27, 1993
Tennessee - 62 / Vanderbilt - 14

Attendance:
Since attendance records were first kept beginning in the 1946 season, more than 37million fans have watched Big Orange football in Neyland Stadium. An average of 75,695fans have attended 490games in 76 years. That statistic is one that promises to climb each year, as Tennessee football enthusiasts pack the stadium each autumn Saturday the Vols are home. Average attendance has been on climb since 1946, when an average of 31,167 saw six home contests.

Tennessee success at Shields-Watkins Field:
In 101seasons and 637games, the Vols are 482-138-17 at home, a winning percentage of .770.UT’s NCAA win total was adjusted to 476-138-17 following the vacation of six home victories from 2019-20 due to the NCAA Committee on Infractions penalty ruling in July 2023.

Consecutive home games without a loss:
55, beginning Oct. 3, 1925, with a 51-0 victory against Emory & Henry and ending Oct. 21, 1933, with a 12-6 loss to Alabama.

Consecutive home wins:
30, beginning Dec. 8, 1928, with a 13-12 win against Florida and ending Oct. 21, 1933, with a 12-6 loss to Alabama.

Consecutive home losses:
4, beginning Nov. 13, 1954, with a 14-0 loss to Florida and ending Oct. 8, 1955, with a 13-0 win against Chattanooga, beginning Sept. 10, 1988, with a 31-26 loss to Duke and ending Nov. 5, 1988, with a 10-7 win against Boston College.

Winning seasons:
Tennessee has had 89 winning seasons in 101 years at Shields-Watkins Field, including 37 undefeated years at home. The 2022 team became the latest to go undefeated with a 7-0 mark in Josh Heupel’s second season. The Vols carry a nine-game home winning streak into the 2023 campaign.

Largest Crowd:
109,061 - Sept. 18, 2004 - Tennessee 30, Florida 28

First Night Game at Neyland Stadium:
Sept. 16, 1972 - Tennessee 28, Penn State 21

How Neyland Stadium Grew

YEAR	ADDITION	CAPACITY CHANGE	TOTAL CAPACITY
1921	Original West Stands	3,200 seats	3,200
1926	East Stands	3,600 seats	6,800
1929	West Stands	11,060 seats	17,860
1937	North Section X	1,500 seats	19,360
1938	East Stands	12,030 seats	31,390
1948	South Stands	15,000 seats	46,390
1962	West Upper Deck	press box, 5,837 seats	52,227
1966	North Stands	5,895 seats	58,122
1968	East Upper Deck	6,307 seats	64,429
1972	Southwest Upper Deck	6,221 seats	70,650
1976	Southeast Upper Deck	9,600 seats	80,250
1980	North Stands	net gain 10,999 seats	91,249
1987	West Executive Suites	42 suites	91,110
1990	Student Seating Adjustment	792 seats	91,902
1996	North Upper Deck	10,642 seats	102,544
1997	ADA Seating Adjustment	310 seats	102,854
2000	East Executive Suites	78 suites / 1,225 seats	104,079
2006	East Club Level	net loss 2,042 seats	102,037
2008	West Club Seats/Press Box Renovation	net loss 2,026 seats	100,011
2010	West Terrace/Gate 21 Plaza	2,444 seats	102,455
2022	Lower West Club/Upper North Deck	net seating loss; credential count updated (increased)	101,915

Stadium Tours

GENERAL INFORMATION:

60-minute guided tours offered at 10:00am Monday-Thursday only.
Pre-purchased reservations are required to participate in the tour. No walk-ups will be admitted.
Tours are unavailable Friday-Sunday, on University-observed holidays, home football gamedays or when construction/special events prohibit.
Tour reservations are available for purchase 30 days in advance. Capacity is limited.
Public tours are booked on a first come, first served basis. Individual bookings could be combined with multiple other groups at the same time.
Tours will check-in at Gate 21 Plaza of Neyland Stadium.

TOUR ROUTE:
Tours begin at Gate 21 of Neyland Stadium and may* include:

Stokely Family Media Center
Wolf Kaplan Recruiting Center
Peyton Manning Locker Complex
Tennessee Team Tunnel
Lauricella Center for Letter Winners
Shield-Watkins Field Patio
(NEW!) Lower West Club
(NEW!) Neyland Social Deck

*Space availability subject to change. There is no guarantee that all spaces will be included in every tour.

There is no access to Shield-Watkins field available during tours.Important Note:Extensive renovations and upgrades to Neyland Stadium are ongoing and construction activity will take place during all tours.

RESERVATIONS:

Reservations are required for Neyland Stadium tours and can be purchased HERE
Adults: $20/person
Youth: $10/person (13 & under)
For large groups, private tours, photography sessions, proposals, etc. contact utevents@utk.edu.

PARKING:
Traffic Advisory: Phillip Fulmer Way from G-10 Garage to Neyland Stadium's Gate 20 is closed for construction. Please avoid the area when traveling to campus for your tour.

Hourly visitor parking on campus is available at Volunteer Hall Garage
Address: 1525 White Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37916
Distance: 0.35 mile (approx. 6-minute walk to Gate 21-Plaza)
Cost: $1.00 per 30-minutes
UT Athletics is not responsible for any citations received for unauthorized tour/visitor parking.

For more information about tours, contact utevents@utk.eduor call 865-974-1205.

Directions to Neyland Stadium

From McGhee Tyson Airport: Turn north on U.S. Highway 129 leaving airport. After crossing the Tennessee River bridge just outside of Knoxville, exit onto Neyland Drive (Tennessee Highway 153). Turn left (south) at the bottom of the exit ramp and follow road until Food City Centeris visible. Turn left onto Lake Loudoun Boulevard. Turn right at stoplight. Follow Phillip Fulmer Way to stadium area.

From I-40 east (from Nashville) and I-75 north (from Chattanooga): Follow I-40 and I-75 to I-40/I-75 junction in west Knoxville. Continue on I-40 east to U.S. Highway 129 south. Follow 129 south to the exit for Neyland Drive (Tennessee Highway 153). Turn left (south) at the bottom of the exit ramp and follow the road until Food City Centeris visible. Turn left onto Lake Loudoun Boulevard. Turn right at stoplight. Follow Phillip Fulmer Way to stadium area.

From I-40 west (from Asheville, N.C.): (updated for I-40 construction) Follow I-40 west to the Hall of Fame Drive. Take a left at the top of the exit and follow Hall of Fame Drive to the Neyland Drive exit (Tennessee Highway 153). Follow Neyland Drive until Food City Centeris visible. Turn right onto Lake Loudoun Boulevard. Turn right at stoplight. Follow Phillip Fulmer Way to stadium area.

From I-75 south (from Lexington, Ky.): Follow I-75 south to I-275 south just past Merchants Road. Follow I-275 to I-40 east. Exit I-40 east onto James White Parkway and follow Parkway to Neyland Drive (Tennessee Highway 153) until Food City Centeris visible. Turn right onto Lake Loudoun Boulevard. Turn right at stoplight. Follow Phillip Fulmer Way to stadium area.

Campus Maps

Seating Chart

All of Tennessee Athletics' facilityand capital projectsare supported by donations to the Tennessee Fund and season-ticket revenue.

For more information on how you can help support Tennessee Athletics and its more than 500 Vols and Lady Vols student-athletes, visit the Tennessee Fund homepage.

Neyland Stadium - Facilities (2024)