According to a press release on Friday afternoon, the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees has approved “Tennessee Athletics’ request to increase the budget for phase 1 of the historic Neyland Stadium renovation project by $49 million to $337 million.”
Neyland Stadium has gone through significant renovation to the interior and exterior of the stadium over the past two years. A party deck was added to the north end of the stadium to allow for a particularly unique viewing and social experience during the game. A new state-of-the-art jumbotron was also added to the north section of the stands.
Additionally, Tennessee also added premium club-level chairback seating to certain sections of the west portion of the stadium.
Externally, Tennessee revived the illuminated V-O-L-S letters that sit atop Neyland Stadium and overlook the Tennessee River. U.T. Athletics took it one step further, though, and added a second set of V-O-L-S letters on the opposite side of the jumbotron.
Despite the previous renovations, there is still more work to be done.
“Future updates feature necessary upgrades to the south side and perimeter of the stadium, including the widening of concourses, construction of expanded gates and entryways and additional restrooms and concessions areas,” the Tennessee press release reads. “The delivery of this component will dramatically improve fan comfort and safety, reduce wait times and allow for more food and beverage offerings.”
More from RTI: Tennessee Releases Renderings Of Expanded, Renovated Lindsey Nelson Stadium
Here’s a look at the timetable that Tennessee has planned out through 2026 via the press release on Friday:
Fall 2023
- Removal of South Stadium Hall with structural strengthening of the stadium’s south end
- Partially completed Wi-Fi capabilities
- Brick cladding around in-bowl vomitories
- New restrooms under the Gate 10 ramp
Fall 2024
- Full stadium-wide Wi-Fi connectivity
- Stadium kitchen, commissary and loading dock
- New southeast elevators vertically connecting all concourses
- New Gate 4 entry plaza
- Brick cladding around in-bowl vomitories (phase 2)
- Renovations and upgrades complete for all stadium skyboxes (see updated renderings below)
- Initial construction for the westside Founders Suites New restrooms and concessions on north concourse two
Fall 2025
- Expanded south concourse 1 (increased restrooms, enhanced concessions, wider concourse)
- Completed Founders Suites
- Tee Martin Drive to shift south of the Gate 10 ramp
Fall 2026
- Completion of entry plazas
Tennesee also revealed new renders of the skybox suites, including new operable windows overlooking the crowd and the field. The previous and current skybox windows were stationary and did not allow the stadium to be heard as well as it would have in the open air.
Here’s a look at the skybox renders that Tennessee revealed on Friday:
To view the full Neyland Stadium press release from UT Athletics, click here.
One Response
Forget about the skyboxes. The south portion of the stadium should have priority over that.
It has been unacceptable for years, and I am appalled that you would prefer expediting more booths and concessions for alcohol instead of addressing the restroom and portion size of the aforementioned area. I have had my tickets since the sixties as I was strength coach for years under Majors, and Mears. I offends me very much.