Tennessee stadium's upgrade: Inside massive Neyland Stadium renovation plans

Neyland Stadium is one of the most iconic stadiums in college football. Located on the University of Tennessee campus, it has served as the home stadium of the Volunteers since it was completed in 1921, replacing Baldwin Park, where the team originally played.

The stadium has undergone 16 expansion projects in its lifetime. It currently has an official capacity of 101,915 but its capacity was 104,079 at one point before reduction. This makes it the sixth-largest stadium in the United States and eighth-largest in the world.

With Tennessee boasting one of college football's most storied programs, it has always aimed to have a top-notch facility. This has made the school embark on a new ambitious stadium renovation plan which will be done over an extended period.

Neyland Stadium renovation plan

The decision to renovate the Neyland Stadium was approved by the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees in October 2016. It's a three-phase renovation plan that will give the iconic stadium a new and modern look while offering more comfort to Volunteers fans.

Phase I of the stadium renovation plan was initially projected to cost an estimated $106 million. However, the Board of Trustees approved the expansion of the project scope under a revised plan in November 2017, increasing the estimated budget to $180 million.

"We're excited about the long-term impact of this undertaking on future generations of Tennessee fans," then-Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics John Currie said.

"Our aim is to prepare Neyland Stadium — one of the most iconic venues in all of sport — for a second century of service, and I believe we have a plan in place to accomplish that endeavor in the most fiscally responsible manner possible."

Once again, in 2022, the Board of Trustees approved a revised Phase I renovation plan, which increased the budget to $288 million. Subsequently, in 2023, the Board of Trustees approved the athletic department's request to increase the budget to $337 million.

Work commenced on Phase I of the project in 2022 and is expected to be completed in 2026. This has seen the removal of the South Stadium Hall and a structural strengthening of the south end. There are also new restrooms in the stadium under the Gate 10 ramp

What’s left in the Neyland Stadium renovation plan

Syndication: Knoxville - Source: Imagn

With the Neyland Stadium renovation plan kicking off in 2022, there's been notable progress so far. Nonetheless, a lot of work still has to be done over the next couple of years.

Here's a look at the plan for each year to complete Phase I of the master plan.

2024

Installation of full stadium-wide Wi-Fi connectivity

Installation of new elevators in the Southeast, vertically connecting all concourses

Completion of the renovations and upgrades for all stadium skyboxes

Construction for the Westside Founders Suites in its initial stage

Creating new restrooms and concessions on North Concourse two

Renovation of stadium kitchen, commissary and loading dock

Building the new Gate 4 entry plaza

More brick cladding around passageways into the bowl of the stadium

2025

Expanding the South Concourse 1, including more restrooms and enhanced concessions

The Tee Martin Drive will be shifted south of the Gate 10 ramp

Completion of the Founders Suites

2026

Completion of all entry plazas at the stadium

Have a look at the rendering of the Neyland Stadium after renovation here

Obstruction of the Tennessee spring game

The Neyland Stadium renovation plan has caused a bit of obstruction to the Tennessee spring game over the last few years. This could be the case for the next couple of years. The Volunteers could only allow 10,000 fans into the stadium for the spring game this year.

The Volunteers played the spring game on the practice field in 2022 due to the stadium renovation with media, recruits and players’ families in attendance. The spring game was held at the stadium in 2023 but with a limited capacity as 58,473 fans were seated in the open areas.

“It’s a challenge," White said. "It’s the cost of progress. … There are cranes involved and just a lot of obstructions. We can’t put ourselves in a position where we slow down construction and put the possibility of having it ready for the first game in the fall, we can't put that at risk.”

The previous phase Neyland Stadium renovation

Tennessee launched the Neyland Stadium Master Plan in 2004, a comprehensive blueprint for the stadium's expansion, renovation, and long-term upkeep. This ambitious plan aimed to introduce club seats, create entry plazas and modernize the stadium's infrastructure.

With a projected cost of $200 million, the renovations unfolded over multiple phases, with funding sourced entirely from private donations and revenue generated by priority and club seats. The stadium renovation started in 2004 and was eventually completed in 2010.

The first phase of the renovation plan was completed in 2006 for $26 million. It saw the introduction of East Club Seats and the expansion of the north lower concourse. It also led to the installation of LED signage, and the addition of more restrooms and concessions.