Getting tickets to see the Tennessee Vols football team play at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville can be a challenge for fans. As one of college football’s most storied programs, demand for Tennessee tickets is always high. However, there are ways to get tickets directly through the University of Tennessee athletic department, as well as through secondary marketplaces. Planning ahead, understanding the different ticket options, and knowing when to buy can help ensure you get seats to the big game.
Buy from the University of Tennessee
The best way to get Tennessee Vols tickets directly is through the University of Tennessee athletic department. There are a few different options:
Season Tickets
Season tickets offer tickets to all home games for the season. This is the best way to guarantee you have tickets if you want to attend every home game. However, season tickets require making a significant upfront investment. Season tickets can only be purchased through the Tennessee Ticket Office.
Usually season tickets go on sale each winter for the upcoming football season. Current season ticket holders get the first option to renew their same seats. Any remaining season tickets are made available to people on the waiting list. So make sure to get your name on the season ticket waiting list as early as possible to increase your chances.
The number of years spent on the waiting list generally determines the order for available season tickets. Expect to wait several years at a minimum before getting offered season tickets as a new buyer.
Single Game Tickets
If you just want to go to one or two home games, single game tickets may be the best option. Single game tickets are also sold through the ticket office, usually in the summer leading up to the season. Availability is very limited, with most tickets getting quickly snapped up.
Your best chance is to purchase single game tickets as soon as they go on sale to the public. Sign up for the ticket office email newsletter to be notified when the on-sale date is announced. Set a calendar reminder and be ready to log in right at the specified time to buy online. perseverance and quick fingers will be required.
Mini Plans
For fans who want to attend multiple games but not the full season, mini plans offer a middle ground. Mini plans come in packages of either three or four games, allowing you to choose among early season non-conference matchups or SEC rival showdowns.
Mini plans have the same timed public on-sale date as single game tickets. Arrive promptly online to purchase the package you want. While not as scarce as single game tickets, mini plan availability also goes fast.
Buy from a Reseller
If you strike out getting tickets directly from UT or want more choice in seating options, the secondary ticket market is a reliable alternative source. Reseller sites like Vivid Seats, StubHub, SeatGeek, and TickPick all sell Tennessee Vols tickets.
The major benefit of using a reseller is the wide selection of seating locations available for each game. Since season ticket holders often resell some of their less desirable games, you can shop around for the exact seats you want.
Downsides are having to pay above face value and steep service fees. Prices fluctuate according to demand, so larger opponents and SEC games command premium pricing. Buy early when selection is best; last minute buys typically have fewer choices and more inflated costs.
Here are some tips for finding the best deals on the secondary market:
- Compare prices across multiple sites.
- Look for seats in the upper decks or corners to save money.
- Avoid extra charges like “premium” or “VIP” ticket options.
- Be flexible on which game you choose if saving money is your top priority.
Get on the Waitlist
If you don’t succeed in getting tickets through either primary or secondary channels, all hope is not lost. Call the Tennessee ticket office and ask to be added to ticket waitlists. Fans wanting to change locations or needing to sell unused tickets will sometimes release them back to the University.
The ticket office then offers these seats to fans on the waitlist. It’s not guaranteed and often involves getting a call at the last minute from a UT representative. But it’s possible lucky waitlisted fans get offered tickets just days or hours before kickoff. Monitor your voicemail and texts closely as gameday nears if you choose this route.
Join the Volunteers Athletic Scholarship Fund
Becoming an annual donor to the Volunteers Athletic Scholarship Fund (VASF) unlocks access to ticket perks. Membership levels start at a $100 minimum annual gift. Higher giving amounts confer priority for seat selection and tickets.
For example, a $1,000+ yearly VASF gift comes with the opportunity to buy season tickets after just one year of membership instead of waiting on the regular waitlist. Major donors also get personal assistance securing coveted seats to marquee games.
Go Through Your Alumni Association
If you’re a University of Tennessee graduate, the Alumni Association offers multiple avenues for getting football tickets:
- Members can enter a ticket lottery for certain games by redeeming priority points.
- Some regional alumni chapters organize group ticket orders.
- alumni travel packages to away games and neutral site matchups like the “Third Saturday in October” rivalry against Alabama may include tickets.
Check the Alumni Association website for details on current football ticketing and travel offers. Don’t forget to leverage your alumni status when contacting the ticket office as well.
Head to an Away Game
If the intense demand is just too much hassle, going to an away game is an easier ticket route. Tickets for road contests can be purchased directly from the hosting school’s athletic department, usually with no waiting list or special requirements.
Away tickets also appear more abundantly and cheaper on secondary sites due to fewer fans making out of state trips. You’ll have the bonus memory of cheering on the Vols as the visiting underdogs on the road.
Attend a Neutral Site Game
Neutral site games are another good alternative. The Vols often open their season at the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta against a high-profile opponent. Other neutral site contests taking place in NFL stadiums also dot Tennessee’s schedule periodically.
Neutral site tickets are sold through the host stadium or college football association organizing the game. Allocation is divided between both fanbases to ensure equal access. Buying early is still wise since these contests draw big crowds, but scarcity and prices are not as crazy as Neyland Stadium itself.
Conclusion
Here are some final tips for boosting your odds of getting prized Tennessee Vols tickets:
- Join booster groups like the VASF for early access purchasing perks.
- Follow Tennessee football social accounts and sign up for email/text alerts so you don’t miss on-sale announcements.
- Enlist family and friends to help search for available tickets across all channels.
- Avoid scalpers selling counterfeit tickets.
- Consider attending a road game or neutral site matchup for a lower-stress ticket experience.
Getting into a packed Neyland Stadium to watch the Volunteers take on an SEC rival is a quintessential college football experience every fan dreams of. While Tennessee tickets are in short supply, strategies like planning ahead, monitoring multiple sources, and staying persistent give you a fighting chance to grab seats. With flexibility on games and locations, plus smart utilization of ticket office and donor membership benefits, your opportunities expand. Use these tips to make your Tennessee Vols gameday visions a reality.