Tennessee fans heading to Neyland Stadium on Saturday should plan for a hot afternoon and start hydrating before they arrive.
The Weather Channel is forecasting a high around 95 degrees in Knoxville, with 65% humidity and a chance of an isolated afternoon thunderstorm. The UV index is expected to reach 9 out of 11.
With more than 100,000 fans expected for Tennessee’s season opener against Furman, Deputy Athletics Director and Chief Marketing Officer Alicia Longworth emphasized hydration when discussing game-day preparations.
“Stay hydrated. Drink water throughout the day before you get here,” Longworth said. “That would be a first win for all of us.”
Tennessee will have first-aid stations available on every level of Neyland Stadium. Water Monsters will also be available, along with additional concession water kiosks and rolling carts selling water throughout the venue.
Fans on the third level will have another option this season. Tennessee installed eight new water bottle filling fountains as part of its latest round of Neyland Stadium upgrades.
The additions come as Knoxville enters a stretch of unusually hot early-September weather. Friday’s high is forecast near 97 degrees before temperatures remain in the mid-90s Saturday.
Fans should also expect changes after the game.
Tennessee has worked with the City of Knoxville, Visit Knoxville, Knoxville Police Department, Tennessee Department of Transportation, and university officials since last October to develop a new postgame traffic plan.
Gen. Robert Neyland has a new home at the stadium that bears his name.
Officials tested portions of the plan during the Luke Combs concerts and Savannah Bananas games at Neyland Stadium this spring.
Longworth said one of the biggest changes this fall will allow two lanes of traffic to move toward Alcoa Highway.
“We’re going to be able to send two lanes of traffic up Alcoa Highway and get them onto 40 faster… So [it] should be even faster in clearing Neyland Drive and getting fans off campus and home safely,” Longworth said.
Tennessee also adjusted the security perimeter on the west side of the stadium, including the placement of fencing and metal detectors.
For fans attending Saturday’s opener, however, the most important preparation may happen well before kickoff: plan for the heat and hydrate early.
