Tennessee Commits $433 Million to Football, Baseball Stadiums

The University of Tennessee plans a combined $433 million worth of upgrades to its football and baseball stadiums. 

The dual projects include $337 million committed to renovating Neyland Stadium, where Tennessee’s football team has played for over 100 years since 1921. Neyland Stadium’s renovations were initially planned to cost $49 million, but last week, UT’s board of trustees approved a budget increase to $337 million. 

Upgrades will be added to Neyland Stadium in time for this fall football season, with the project expected to be completed in 2026. The renovations will span the widening of concourses, expanded entry gates, full-stadium Wi-Fi, added restrooms, and new concession areas to offer more food and beverage options with reduced fan wait times. 

Another $95.8 million budget has been approved to renovate Lindsey Nelson Stadium, the Volunteers’ baseball stadium that opened in 1993. The Knoxville ballpark can currently host around 4,300 fans, but its seating capacity will expand to about 7,600 fans as part of the proposed renovations. Construction will begin this August and last multiple years. 

UT’s baseball stadium will be transformed into “one of the premier college baseball venues in the country,” the school said in a press release. The proposed renovations include new player development areas, multiple fan entry gates, wider concourses, more concession stands and restrooms, and new premium-seating options. 

Elsewhere in the SEC, the University of Florida is planning at least $400 million worth of renovations to its football stadium.