KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – For last Saturday’s game against Texas, the gates to Neyland Stadium opened three hours before kickoff to get fans in on time with President Donald Trump visiting.
Apparently, it was a huge success, because Wednesday evening, Tennessee athletics director Danny White announced on X (Twitter) that gates will open three hours before kickoff for the rest of the season with “Happy Hour” for the first hour.
“Should we make it a thing? Feels like we should make it a thing,” he wrote. “Inspired by Vol Nation’s incredible response to unusual pregame circumstances last week, Happy Hour at Neyland Stadium will be in effect for the remainder of the season! Gates will open three hours early, with half-priced concessions available for the first hour. I hope this is a small way we can show our appreciation to the best fans in the country. See y’all Saturday!”
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel seemingly joked about it on Monday’s Mike Keith Show, and it turned out to be true.
“I think the administration is going to do half-price drinks every ball game,” Heupel said. “But the atmosphere was electric. I knew it would be. Our fan base is second to none and a great home field advantage all day on Saturday.”
No. 17 Tennessee will host Auburn at 3:30 p.m. EDT Saturday at Neyland Stadium. The game will be televised on ESPN with play-by-play announcer Bob Wischusen and analyst Louis Riddick on the call. Stormy Buonantony will provide the sideline report. Gates will open at 12:30 p.m.
