The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, invites Vol fans and visitors to Rocky Top Thursday, Sept. 1, for a rare midweek start to the Volunteers' football season.
The Vols will face the Mountaineers of Appalachian State University at 7:30 p.m. The weekday start means fans should leave early and expect traffic to be heavier than normal.
Parking and Traffic:
Only fans with permits can park near the stadium. For the Sept. 1 game, Knoxville Area Transit will offer a reduced number of shuttles between the stadium and the Knoxville Civic Coliseum parking garage. The Old City football shuttle will operate on a regular level of service, but there will be no shuttle service from Market Square or from Farragut on the west side of Knox County. No KAT trolley services on any lines will operate after 3 p.m. Sept. 1. For the remaining home games this season, shuttle and trolley service will revert to the normal gameday schedule. More information on bus service is available on the KAT website.
Ongoing work on the Cumberland Avenue Corridor project has reduced traffic on the street to one lane in each direction in various spots. This may result in slowdowns both before and after the game. For more information on the Cumberland Avenue Corridor project, visit the Cumberland Connect website.
Phillip Fulmer Way will close to through traffic from Middle Drive to Tee Martin Drive three hours before kickoff.
New this year is the closing of Peyton Manning Pass to vehicles two and a half hours before kickoff. Once the road closes, fans with parking permits in lots 9 and 9B must enter from Phillip Fulmer Way. Permit holders in 30A near the stadium still will be able to access their lot from the west end of Peyton Manning Pass.
Thirty minutes before kickoff, the remainder of Phillip Fulmer Way, Middle and Lower Drives, and Estabrook Drive will close to vehicles.
Stadium Security:
To enhance safety and expedite fan entry to Neyland Stadium and other athletic events, UT has implemented new safety policies for fans bringing bags into athletic venues.
Only one clear plastic bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches or a one-gallon clear resealable plastic storage bag per person will be permitted. Fans also will be allowed a small clutch purse not to exceed 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches.
Fans interested in purchasing an approved clear bag may visit the Official Team Store at Neyland Stadium; VolShop locations in the Student Union, at 17th Street and Cumberland Avenue, and in University Commons; and other area retailers.
No other bags will be allowed inside athletic venues, including Neyland Stadium. All items, including clear bags and clutch purses, are subject to search at the gates.
Other prohibited items:
-Alcoholic beverages, cans, bottles and coolers
-Outside food, snacks and beverages
-Radios without headphones
-Open umbrellas
-Video cameras, professional cameras or cameras with detachable lenses
-Stadium seats with arms or pockets
-Weapons of any kind, including pocket knives
-Selfie sticks
-Artificial noisemakers
No items can be left or stored at the gates. Fans can bring the following items inside athletic venues, provided they meet the size requirement:
-Cushions or seats without arms or pockets
-Small bags with medically necessary items, subject to search (Note: Diapers and non-medically necessary items for babies and young children must be carried in a clear bag.)
-Small cameras, cell phones and binoculars
For more information, see the clear bag and prohibited items policy.
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 from four hours before kickoff until the game ends.
Fans are encouraged to follow @UTGameday on Twitter or visit UTSports.com for the latest updates on traffic, weather, gate information and game day events.