There is not much more thrilling than Neyland Stadium on game day, filled with orange under a bright blue Tennessee sky with the City of Knoxville as a backdrop. But, the University of Tennessee football stadium’s prize location alongside the Tennessee River, smack in the middle of this college town is part of what can make parking a little difficult.
Traffic Patterns
Traffic patterns on and around campus are adjusted for home football games in an effort to make it safe to get to and from the stadium and to improve the flow of traffic around and through Knoxville. Starting two to three hours before kickoff on game days, traffic is rerouted away from some locations, and several main thoroughfares become one-way. Information on the traffic pattern for specific days is available on websites sponsored by the University of Tennessee, the City of Knoxville and others, including the Tennessee Department of Transportation. So, getting around Knoxville takes planning for everyone — not just people attending the game. Because the traffic patterns are different before and after the games and from game day to game day, plan your route in advance and take it slow. Throngs of fans will be walking to the stadium from all over downtown, so it’s crucial to drive carefully. If you are walking, remember to be on the lookout for vehicles. Even though you might have the right-of-way as a pedestrian, you don’t want to be the victim of a traffic accident.
Parking On Campus
Almost all parking on campus is by permit only. If you don’t have a permit, don’t even bother to try getting a spot in the one public lot. If you do have a permit, plan to arrive a couple of hours early.
Park and Ride
The most popular way to get to the stadium is to park in one of the downtown public lots and take a shuttle or one of the buses run by the Knoxville Area Transit. KAT shuttles pick up from the Civic Coliseum, the Old City (near Barley’s Taproom) and Market Square/Krutch Park. A shuttle is available from Farragut High School for an increased price. KAT buses usually operate throughout the day on their regular schedule. Parking is available in most city lots, including the Civic Coliseum, which holds 2,500 cars.
Be Safe
Add safety concerns to the mix as you map out your game day strategy. Volunteer fans are known to party hard before and after a football game, and alcohol can lead to carelessness. Whether you are walking or driving in or around campus on game day, practice extra caution. Don’t become a victim of personal injury due to another person’s neglect. A drunken driver, an angry or intoxicated fan or just someone who is not paying attention can wreck game day for an unsuspecting victim.
