Neyland Stadium to be Centerpiece of New Entertainment District – Claiborne Progress

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As Tennessee State Athletics continues to actively pursue its mission to lead collegiate athletics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White has begun exploring public-private partnerships aimed at developing a first-of-its-kind recreation district, Across the Tennessee River waterfront, near historic Neyland Stadium.

Anchored by a planned hotel adjacent to the southern end of the stadium, the mixed-use Neyland Entertainment District could uniquely enhance the Tennessee football game day experience while transforming the campus riverfront and complementing Knoxville’s array of gathering centers Another attractive leisure and entertainment center.

The university’s initial concept for the project—which will enhance the aesthetics of the Neyland Stadium façade and strengthen the campus’ connection to the Tennessee River—includes a boutique, full-service hotel with for-sale apartments and meeting/event space. The vision also includes the possible development of a “tabletop” above the existing G10 car park to support additional tailgating, restaurants, retail and family-friendly entertainment.

A formal Request for Information (RFI) has been issued to gauge developer input and interest.

“Innovation is at the forefront of everything we do,” White said. “This vision for the new Niland Entertainment District embodies this mindset. It is a massive project with the potential to have a positive impact on our entire city. We are eager to see the dream of a world-class developer creatively maximizing the Capitalize on this extraordinary market opportunity. We have the ability to build an entertainment ecosystem that does not currently exist in the entire university environment.

“It’s much bigger than seven or eight days of activation a year. It’s a year-round destination that not only enhances our game days, but also enhances the day-to-day academic experience throughout the year for our entire student body and campus community.”

The University has engaged project management firm Brailsford & Dunlavey as a guiding partner for the exploration phase of the Neyland entertainment precinct.

“Neyland Stadium has long been known for having one of the best gameday environments in college football,” said Chancellor Donde Plowman. “We welcome Vol Nation to campus on Saturdays in the fall. This project has the potential to create a year-round destination that blends with the Tennessee River waterfront and enhances the campus and our community.”

Since 1993, Brailsford & Dunlavey has empowered hundreds of colleges and universities, municipalities and professional sports organizations to realize their bold visions through the built environment. The firm’s consulting expertise includes analytical and technical activities ranging from market analysis and financial modeling to development structure assessment and construction supervision.

“This public-private opportunity will improve the look and feel of Neyland Stadium and the Knoxville campus while creating an additional destination for the City of Knoxville,” said University of Tennessee President Randy Boyd. All without state funding.”

At the heart of this grand vision is Neyland Stadium, one of the most iconic venues in global sport. It is the eighth largest stadium in the world and the sixth largest of its kind, with a capacity of 101,915. Neyland Stadium is surrounded by the key elements of a state-of-the-art integrated entertainment precinct:

• UT’s enrollment has grown 17 percent over the past five years.

• The University has over 260,000 alumni.

• The University of Tennessee’s annual impact on the state’s economy is $1.7 billion.

• Greater Knoxville is located at the intersection of three major interstates, I-75, I-40 and I-81, in the heart of the greater Eastern Tennessee region. The city is within a day’s drive of half the country’s population.

• Knoxville is within eight miles of Asheville, Atlanta, Charleston (SC), Charlotte, Chattanooga, Cincinnati, Louisville (KY), Memphis, Nashville, St. Louis and Washington, D.C. hour drive.

• For the first half of 2022, Knoxville is one of the top five booking markets in the nation, along with Atlanta, Nashville, Washington, D.C., and New York City.

• Knoxville is home to several unique clusters of micromarkets including the Las Vegas Strip, Old Town, Market Square, Bearden, Turkey Creek and more.

• Tennessee Athletics is a globally recognized and respected brand with one of the most traditional and championship histories in college sports.

• UT’s ticketing campaign consistently ranks among the national leaders in average home attendance.