The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, welcomes fans to campus Saturday, Sept. 12, for the first home football game of the 2015 season.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. EDT for the Volunteers’ game against the University of Oklahoma Sooners. Gates open at 4 p.m. ESPN will televise the game, which is sold out.
The UT Police Department reminds fans that alcoholic beverages, cans, bottles and coolers are prohibited in Neyland Stadium. Anyone attempting to enter the stadium under the influence of alcohol will be subject to ejection or arrest.
Chief Troy Lane said all UT sporting events should be held in a safe and family-friendly environment so fans and visitors can enjoy the experience. He added that recent complaints regarding disruptive or disorderly behavior have necessitated the need for increased enforcement, specifically regarding public intoxication and underage consumption of alcohol.
“Increased complaints about unruly behavior, mostly regarding persons who have had too much to drink, have caused us to more aggressively address these issues. We want UT fans of all ages to enjoy the game in a family-friendly atmosphere,” said Lane.
Fans are encouraged to follow @UTGameday on Twitter or visit http://www.utsports.com/gameday/football for the latest updates on traffic, weather, gate information and game day events.
Parking and Traffic
Due to construction and road closures in the campus area, fans are encouraged to arrive early and to plan ahead to determine the best routes of travel and parking.
Ongoing work on the Cumberland Avenue Corridor project has reduced traffic to one lane in each direction between Alcoa Highway and 22nd Street. There are also no left turns allowed off Cumberland Avenue. This may result in significant traffic slowdowns both before and after the game. UT and the city of Knoxville have recommended specific routes to campus. To view or download a map of the routes, visit http://tntoday.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2015-GameDayParkingMap.pdf. For more information on the Cumberland Avenue Corridor project, visit http://www.cumberlandconnect.com.
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; and Farragut High School. For more information on shuttle routes, visit http://www.katbus.com/maps/route51.pdf.
Downtown Knoxville has several city garages and private lots. To plan where to park, visit http://www.knoxparking.com and http://parkdowntownknoxville.com.
Phillip Fulmer Way will close to through traffic from Middle Drive to Tee Martin Drive three hours before kickoff.
Thirty minutes before kickoff, the remainder of Phillip Fulmer Way as well as Peyton Manning Pass, Middle and Lower Drives, and Estabrook Drive will close to vehicles.
The latest information on campus construction can be found at http://conezone.utk.edu.
Stadium Security
No backpacks of any kind or size are allowed inside Neyland Stadium. All items, including purses, are subject to search at the gates. Purses or other bags larger than 12 inches by 12 inches by 12 inches cannot be brought into the stadium.
The following items are also prohibited from the stadium:
- weapons of any kind, including pocket knives
- stadium seats with arms
- video cameras
- open umbrellas
No items can be left or stored at stadium gates. Fans can bring the following items inside the stadium, provided they meet the size requirement:
- cushions and seats without arms
- small diaper bags that accompany infants
- small cameras, pagers, cell phones and binoculars
For a full list of permitted and prohibited items, visit http://www.utsports.com/gameday/football.
Due to security checks at the gates, fans are encouraged to arrive at their designated gate at least 30 minutes prior to kickoff.
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 starting four hours before kickoff and until the game ends.
Game Day Activities
This Saturday, fans will again have the opportunity to “Checker Neyland” by wearing orange or white. Each fan’s seat location will determine whether they should wear white or orange to help create the familiar checkerboard pattern. For more information, visit http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090815aal.html.
The traditional Vol Walk will start at 3:45 p.m. on Volunteer Boulevard near Circle Park, as the members of the football team proceed down Volunteer Boulevard and then continue down Peyton Manning Pass to the stadium. The Pride of the Southland Band will begin marching at 4:20 p.m. from the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center on Volunteer Boulevard and will then follow the same path as the Vol Walk.
View more game day activities by visiting http://tntoday.utk.edu/2015/08/26/pregame-showcase-kicks-september-12-mcclung-museum.
The Toyota Volunteer Village offers pregame festivities for fans of all ages beginning at 2:30 p.m. Located in the Humanities Plaza, Toyota Volunteer Village features pregame appearances from Smokey, Junior Smokey, cheerleaders and UT’s dance team.
A special Navy flyover is planned for the conclusion of the national anthem. U.S. Navy officers will fly a Boeing P-8 Poseidon Naval aircraft over the stadium as the anthem concludes, weather permitting.
