Tennessee athletics announced a partnership with Pilot on Tuesday, preserving the iconic Neyland Stadium and Shields-Watkins Field names. 

The deal with Knoxville-based Pilot is slated to currently run for 20 years and designates Pilot as the presenting partner of the Neyland Stadium renovation project and the official travel stop of Tennessee Athletics. 

“As we navigate the changing landscape of college athletics, we are dedicated to building the best athletics department in the country,” said athletics director Danny White in a press release. “Because we were committed to preserving the name of Neyland Stadium, finding a partner who shared this vision was essential. With deep roots here in Knoxville, Pilot recognizes the significance of Neyland and the importance of tradition to our fans and the university. Our focus continues to preserve and honor our storied past while modernizing to ensure we lead the way in college sports.”

New signage that says “Home of the Vols” will be accompanied by a Pilot logo on the east side of the stadium. Pilot’s branding will be found on each side of the stadium and in sponsored content with Tennessee Athletics and the Vol Network.

The partnership is declared as: “Neyland Stadium. Home of the Vols. Proudly preserved by Pilot.”

“Neyland Stadium is one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world and UT is a significant part of making Knoxville a special place that Pilot is proud to call home,” said Pilot CEO Adam Wright in a press release. “Through this partnership, we will preserve the legacy of Neyland while also investing in its future to create exceptional experiences for generations to come. We look forward to seeing you out here as we cheer on the Vols in Neyland.”

The Neyland Stadium Renovation Project continues to bring the home of Tennessee football into the modern era. Tennessee said, in a press release, this partnership will “dramatically improve fan comfort and safety, reduce wait times, and allow for more food and beverage offerings.” Pilot-sponsored “Fast Favorites” will be located within Gate 21 in the main stadium. 

“Vol fans know better than anyone the magic of Neyland on game day and the feeling of singing Rocky Top in the same stadium where the greatest Vol legends made their name,” said UT Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman in a press release. “Our partnership with Pilot is all about preserving and enriching that experience to make sure fans and their families will continue to make these same kinds of memories for decades to come.”