Neyland Stadium will feature a pimento cheese hot dog, a Vol Lager craft beer, better Wi-Fi and Pilot logos on the field when Tennessee football kicks off the 2024 season.
That’s a few of the new things fans will see when No. 15 Tennessee plays Chattanooga on Saturday (12:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network).
There are structural and cosmetic changes as UT continues its $337 million renovation to Neyland Stadium.
Pilot logos are the most noticeable new addition after the Knoxville-based company struck a landmark deal for branding rights to Neyland Stadium. The venue’s iconic name remains. That was the top priority of Pilot.
But revenue from that Pilot deal helps fund many of the fan amenities added to the stadium.
Here are 24 new things Tennessee football fans may notice on game day in the 2024 season.
‘HOME OF THE VOLS’ How it returned to Neyland Stadium thanks to a Johnny Majors picture, Pilot deal
Grilled cheese, beer, new food and drinksPilot Fast Favorites is a new quick-service market with drinks and snacks at Gate 21. There are now more than 100 points-of-sale throughout the stadium.Vol Lager, introduced by Yee-Haw Brewing Company as the official craft beer of the Vols.Ole Smoky moonshine, also an official beverage of the Vols.Checkerboard Cheese is a new concept, where fans can buy grilled cheese sandwiches made in the new stadium kitchen.Vol Classics concession stands now have pulled buffalo chicken sandwiches and Korean BBQ sandwiches.Pimento cheese dogs and buffalo chicken dogs are the new items at K-Town Dog PoundBraised Philly beef is the go-to grub at The General’s Grill.Cookies & Coffee is exactly what it sounds like. But you might find pastries there as well.North concourse got a makeoverNew walk-through concessions area on Level 2 north concourseNew restrooms on Level 2 north concourse, which has been widened to relieve congestionCorporate branding that helps pay for amenitiesThe traditional “Home of the Vols” sign returns, flanked by Pilot logos. It is located on the east tower.Pilot logos are also located at each 25-yard line on Shields-Watkins Field.Yee-Haw Brewing Company and Ole Smoky logos are on the social deck on the north end.The Lower West Club is now the Transcard Premier Club, and it’s gotten some extra perks. If you’re among the fans with access to the premium area, you’ll see new food options, a bar with new craft beers, automated concession kiosks and private restrooms.Wi-Fi plus better sights and soundsTennessee says the stadium has complete Wi-Fi coverage, dubbed Rocky Top Wi-Fi.About 100 TVs have been mounted throughout the stadium. Most of the new TVs are hung in the north and east concourse on Level 1 and the east and south concourse on Level 3. Other new TVs are in the main Vol Shop inside Gate 21 and the NIL Vol Shop inside Gate 24.Fans had complained they couldn’t hear the public address announcer in some pockets of the stadium. So new upgraded speakers have been added to the overhang area in the lower bowl.Collectibles and classic Vols merchandise to buyOld-school Vols products and classic gameday merchandise are available at Vintage Volunteer Shop inside Truly’s Tailgate outside Gate 9.Tennessee football trading cards can be purchased at vending machines inside Gate 24 outside the NIL Vol Shop.Tickets are on mobile devices. But if you miss the classic paper ticket, you can purchase a commemorative ticket following each home game. Tickets will be customed to each fan’s seating location.Brick and mortar, plus more construction aheadNew Gate 4 entry plaza for students should relieve congestion on the south end. That south concourse has already been widened and refurbished with new bricks around the passageways into the bowl of the stadium. More construction will be finished there in 2025.Skyboxes have been renovated and upgraded for the first time in 14 years, and initial construction has begun on westside Founders Suites.Hidden under the south end is a full kitchen, commissary and loading dock. Most of the food is prepared for the premium areas, but some items like grilled cheese will be found throughout the stadium.Construction continues. The statue of Gen. Robert Neyland kneeling has been moved temporarily to protect it from debris. It is now located in the Doug Dickey Hall of Fame Plaza at the north entrance of the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center. It will be returned to Neyland Stadium when construction concludes.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email [email protected]. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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Publish date : 2024-08-29 11:05:00
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