In order to make the first home University of Tennessee football game as stress-free as possible, the City of Knoxville is offering some highlights and tips to help Vol fans navigate transportation and parking.
Street parking is severely limited near Neyland Stadium. Game attendees are encouraged to explore taking a Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) regular bus, which drops passengers two blocks away from the stadium gates. There are also more than 6,000 parking spaces at City-owned downtown garages, some directly serviced by KAT’s special football game shuttles.
The Sept. 8 home opener against East Tennessee State University will kick off at 4 p.m. Check out the University of Tennessee’s game day parking and traffic website for updated information.
“We encourage everyone to have a fun and safe day at the game by planning parking in advance and arriving early to avoid peak traffic times,” said Lt. Brian Evans, Traffic Services Coordinator for the Knoxville Police Department.
Getting to the game by bus
Want to avoid the cost of paying to park? KAT fixed-route buses can save you time and effort, in addition to cash.
KAT offers Passenger Playbook guides to assist riders in reaching Cumberland Avenue, just two blocks from Neyland Stadium. A day pass costs $4, or $2 for seniors 65 and older, persons with disabilities, and students age 18 and under with proper ID.
Day passes and wristbands are available at the Knoxville Transit Station, 301 Church Ave., starting a week before game day.
For additional information, visit www.katbus.com or call 865-637-3000. Use #KATGoesThere for game day updates.
Garage parking
All City-owned garages are open on game day. The Main Street, City County Building and Locust Street garages charge $20 to park; the fee at Knox County’s Dwight Kessel Garage is $15, and the City-owned Civic Coliseum Garage and Blackstock Avenue lot are $10 each.
The State Street and Market Square garages are free on game days, since they service other parkers – Farmers’ Market shoppers, for example, or people attending a movie at the Regal Riviera downtown.
Park and ride
KAT offers a football shuttle service, available for $10 round trip from the Old City, Civic Coliseum or Market Square; parking fees may apply, depending on where you park to catch the shuttle.
An additional option in West Knoxville is to park and ride a shuttle from Farragut High School. Parking is free, and you can make the entire round trip for $20. Shuttles begin three hours before kickoff and leave approximately every 20 minutes. The final trip departs from Farragut High School one hour before kickoff. Wristbands are available at Farragut High School beginning three hours before kickoff. Return service starts at the beginning of 4th quarter and continues for approximately one hour after the game.
Street parking
The City two years ago installed more than 1,000 new parking meters throughout downtown and in parts of the UT/Fort Sanders area. They accept payment by credit card as well as coins. Please be aware that meters and allowed times vary, but daytime payment is required on Saturdays for on-street parking.
On the UT campus, Volunteer Boulevard’s 10-hour meters on home-game football Saturdays will be charging a $25 flat fee beginning with the Sept. 8 home opener.
All City of Knoxville parking revenues are used to support parking and infrastructure improvements in the downtown and UT areas.
To further study your parking options for UT games, visit http://knoxparking.com/.
Traffic plans
Get details on pre- and post-game traffic flow plans, including detours and street closures designed to move large numbers of motorists more efficiently, by visiting www.knoxvilletn.gov/gameday.
Remember: Due to safety concerns and the heavy volume of traffic, there are no left turns allowed on Cumberland Avenue before, during or after the game.
To access restaurants or businesses on the north side of Cumberland Avenue, take southbound 17th Street to Cumberland Avenue; turn right onto Cumberland, then access the businesses by turning right into their parking areas.
To reach destinations on the south side of Cumberland, take Neyland Drive to Joe Johnson Drive; turn left onto West Volunteer Boulevard; turn right onto Cumberland. Or: Take Alcoa Highway and the Kingston Pike exit; turn onto Cumberland; turn right into the business.
