Entertainment
Neyland Entertainment District will shift this popular parking and tailgating spot
The new Neyland Entertainment District will transform Vols game days and create a vibrant community gathering spot just outside the stadium.
Picture fans mingling before games, listening to bands hype up the crowd, watching the Vol Navy boats pull in, enjoying restaurants year-round, and shopping for orange and white gear.
The change means a hugely popular tailgating spot will have to move, as well as some convenient parking adjacent to the Neyland Stadium and Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center.
The epicenter of the entertainment district will be built across the top level of the G10 parking garage. The massive parking structure runs along Neyland Drive and season ticket holders prioritize spots there for convenience and for setting up elaborate tailgates.
University of Tennessee officials said in a release the parking spots lost from the development will be replaced. They also will identify alternative parking if G10 is temporarily unavailable during construction.
Additional parking will be added to support the entertainment district and game day parking, and student spaces will not be reduced.
What is the Neyland Entertainment District?
A hybrid condo-hotel with a rooftop restaurant and bar will overlook Neyland Stadium. And a lively entertainment hub will be created in the area between Neyland Stadium and Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center.
UT has assembled the team for the bold project. It includes a management team that spurred the success of sports entertainment districts surrounding stadiums for the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers and Philadelphia’s Phillies, Flyers and Eagles.
The entertainment district will cover 175,000 square feet on the top level of the G10 parking lot, tying together Neyland Stadium and Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center into a game day entertainment hub.
Tailgating, restaurants, retail and other entertainment eventually would be part of the development.
“We are absolutely thrilled to witness our vision for this groundbreaking project taking tangible shape,” UT athletics director Danny White said in a school release. “The development team understood our vision and designed a legacy asset that will significantly impact our campus and overall community. We eagerly anticipate the upcoming phases of this historic endeavor, which is set to influence our campus and the city of Knoxville deeply.”