It’s finally football time in Tennessee again! With the season opener against Georgia State coming our way tomorrow, it’s time to get ready for a successful day! Here are 11 Big Orange tips for a successful day in and around Neyland Stadium:
Get your ticket ready!
If you choose to go paperless, take a screenshot of your ticket and make sure your phone stays charged. Alongside your ticket, you will also need your Vol Card to get in the gates. If you have a cracked screen or know your phone can’t hold a charge, head over to the library and print your ticket at least a day before the game.
Come early!
Get a group of friends and head to the gates an hour before kickoff to make sure you can beat the crowds and find your seats. Make sure you go to the correct gates — students access Neyland through Gate 4 or Gate 23.
Stay hydrated!
This weekend’s game is in the afternoon, so spend the morning drinking water to prepare for the projected 95-degree weather this Saturday. The last thing you want is to leave early or feel sick while cheering on our Volunteers.
Protect yourself from the sun!
Speaking of that 95-degree weather, lather up on the sunscreen and bring extra in your UT-approved clear bags! Get a new Tennessee hat from the VolShop to protect your skin from the sun.
The University of Tennessee provides specific parking for game day, and publishes a map of game day parking for each football game.
Participate in Big Orange Friday!
Every Friday, fans and members of the UT community will don their Tennessee Orange and participate in activities around campus to get excited for the big day! Make sure you post pictures with #BigOrangeFriday and connect with UTK SGA to learn more about and participate in Big Orange Friday events!
Walk the Vol Walk!
Speaking of traditions, 2 hours and 15 minutes before kickoff, you can be part of the football team’s walk from the Torchbearer Statue to the stadium.
Have Pride in the Pride!
After giving your best sendoff to the players, watch the band march to the stadium and give their “Salute to the Hill” on their way into Gate 21. Make sure you give your loudest “woo” during Rocky Top!
Have a Zero Waste Day!
If you tailgate with friends before the game, make sure you clean up after yourselves and recycle to help Make Orange Green. If it looks like plastic, recycle it! Flatten any cardboard boxes you may use and put those next to the recycling dumpsters. When you’re in Neyland, seek out the orange and white recycling bins and do your part! If a recycling bin is overflowing, walk to the next. Good sports always recycle!
The Zero Waste Game Day initiative plans to make all home games zero waste events.
Don’t get a parking ticket!
Noncommuters, your spots are safe! Commuter students can walk, take rideshares, use public transport or catch a ride to campus on game day! Don’t leave your car in a commuter spot overnight because after 8 PM on Fridays, commuter parking is over. Paid public parking is available on campus at the Visitor Center, Old Sports Bubble and Lot S12 on Lake Avenue. Parking can be found all around campus so make a plan and get there early!
Review Neyland’s policies!
Your selfie stick will have to stay in the car with your backpack, snacks and water bottles. If you are bringing a bag into the gates, review UT’s bag policy and make sure you won’t be turning around at the gates. Read up on UT’s alcohol policies and remember that alcohol sales begin with the UT v. BYU game.
Have fun and be safe!
Fans set the tone for what gameday in Neyland looks like, so sing Rocky Top at the top of your lungs, cheer when you see Smokey and keep the energy going the entire time! Make a safety plan with friends and stick to it. Vols help Vols so be mindful of others and make sure everyone gets home safely.
