The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, welcomes football fans and alumni to campus Saturday for Homecoming.

Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. EDT for the Volunteers’ game against the Golden Eagles of Tennessee Tech. Gates open at 2 p.m. The SEC Network Alternate Channel will televise the game.

The UT Police Department reminds fans that alcoholic beverages, cans, bottles and coolers are prohibited in Neyland Stadium. Anyone attempting to bring alcohol into the stadium or enter the stadium while under the influence of alcohol will be subject to ejection or arrest.

Homecoming Events

This year’s Homecoming theme is “Journey through 100 Years of Volunteers,” marking the 100th anniversary of UT’s Homecoming celebration.

The annual Homecoming parade will begin at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4. The parade will start at Fiji Island beside Fraternity Park. The parade route is available at homecoming.utk.edu/homecoming/homecoming-parade.

The grand marshal will be John D. Tickle, UT alumnus and benefactor. The parade showcases student organization floats and includes the seventh annual Little Vol Walk, featuring children ages 10 and younger riding on decorated wagons, strollers or tricycles.

Homecoming’s signature event, Party in the Park and the Rocky Top Tailgate, will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday in Circle Park. Attendees can enjoy live entertainment, performances by the pep band and cheerleaders, door prizes, face painting and balloon art. There is no admission fee to attend the party and tailgate. Reservations are required for those who want to purchase the barbecue meal, and the cost for each meal is $12 per adult and $8 per child 10 and under. For more information on the Party in the Park, visit alumni.utk.edu/homecoming.

Colleges and student organizations will host reunion activities throughout the weekend. For a list of all event details, including registration information, visit homecoming.utk.edu/events.

Game Day Activities

The traditional Vol Walk will start at 1:45 p.m. at Torchbearer Plaza on Volunteer Boulevard as the members of the football team proceed down Peyton Manning Pass to the stadium.

The Pride of the Southland Band, joined by alumni band members, will begin marching at 2:20 p.m. from the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center on Volunteer Boulevard to the Haslam Business Building, then make a right turn onto the pedestrian bridge connecting Volunteer Boulevard to the Hill. The band will then circle down the slope to Phillip Fulmer Way, perform a musical salute to the Hill and enter the stadium from the north.

The Toyota Volunteer Village offers pregame festivities for fans of all ages beginning at 12:30 p.m. Located in the Humanities Plaza, Volunteer Village features pregame appearances from Smokey, Junior Smokey, cheerleaders and UT’s dance team.

Stadium Security

A no-fly zone extends over the stadium from one hour before the game until one hour after it ends, prohibiting flights within a three-nautical-mile radius and lower than 3,000 feet except as authorized by air traffic control. This restriction includes unmanned aerial vehicles such as drone aircraft. Any person who knowingly or willfully violates the rules pertaining to this airspace may be intercepted, detained and interviewed by law enforcement/security personnel and may be subject to certain criminal penalties under the United States Code.

To enhance safety and expedite fan entry to Neyland Stadium and other athletic events, UT has implemented new safety policies for fans bringing bags into athletic venues.

Only one clear plastic bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches or a one-gallon clear resealable plastic storage bag per person will be permitted. Fans also will be allowed a small clutch purse not to exceed 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches.

Fans interested in purchasing an approved clear bag may visit the Official Team Store at Neyland Stadium; VolShop locations in the Student Union, at 17th Street and Cumberland Avenue, and in University Commons; and other area retailers.

No other bags will be allowed inside athletic venues, including Neyland Stadium. All items, including clear bags and clutch purses, are subject to search at the gates.

Other prohibited items:

  • Alcoholic beverages, cans, bottles and coolers
  • Outside food, snacks and beverages
  • Radios without headphones
  • Open umbrellas
  • Video cameras, professional cameras or cameras with detachable lenses
  • Stadium seats with arms or pockets
  • Weapons of any kind, including pocket knives
  • Selfie sticks
  • Artificial noisemakers

No items can be left or stored at the gates. Fans can bring the following items inside athletic venues, provided they meet the size requirement:

  • Cushions or seats without arms or pockets
  • Small cameras, cell phones and binoculars
  • Small bags with medically necessary items must be searched at gates 9 and 21 (Note: Diapers and non-medically necessary items for babies and young children must be carried in a clear bag.)

For more information, see the clear bag and prohibited items policy.

Parking and Traffic

Only fans with permits can park on campus. UT encourages fans to use Knoxville Area Transit shuttle buses for a round trip to Neyland Stadium from the Old City; the Knoxville Civic Coliseum; Krutch Park, near Market Square in downtown Knoxville; or Farragut High School. More information on bus service is available on the Parking and Transit Services website.

Ongoing work on the Cumberland Avenue Corridor project has reduced traffic on the street to one lane in each direction in various spots. Left turns on Cumberland Avenue are prohibited until construction has finished, which may result in slowdowns both before and after the game. For more information on the Cumberland Avenue Corridor project, visit the Cumberland Connect website.

Phillip Fulmer Way will close to through traffic from Middle Drive to Tee Martin Drive three hours before kickoff.

Peyton Manning Pass will close to vehicles three hours before kickoff except for fans with parking permits in lots 9, 9B and C20. The road will close to all vehicles two and a half hours before kickoff. Once the road closes, fans with parking permits in lots 9 and 9B must enter from Phillip Fulmer Way. Permit holders for lot 30A near the stadium still will be able to access their lot from the west end of Peyton Manning Pass.

Thirty minutes before kickoff, the remainder of Phillip Fulmer Way, Middle Drive, and Lower Drive and Estabrook Drive will close to vehicles.

In accordance with state law, no smoking is allowed anywhere inside the stadium. If fans leave the stadium to smoke, they will not be readmitted.

Commercial solicitation in front of Neyland Stadium from Middle Drive to Gate 10 is prohibited from four hours before kickoff until the game ends.

Federal and state law prohibit UT from participating or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for federal, state or local office. Use of UT’s name, image, logos, nicknames or other UT trademarks in conjunction with a political campaign implies association with the university and is prohibited.

Fans are encouraged to follow @UTGameday on Twitter or visit UTSports.com/gameday for the latest updates on traffic, weather, gate information and game day events.