Tennessee Football reveals Checker Neyland game, home game designations for 2024 season

On Tuesday, Tennessee released its 2024 home football game designations in Neyland Stadium. In head coach Josh Heupel‘s fourth season at the helm of the program, the Volunteers will have eight home games.

“#CheckerNeyland presented by Pilot takes center stage for the Vols’ SEC home opener against Florida on Oct. 12,” the program wrote in a press release. “#CheckerNeyland showcases Tennessee’s iconic checkerboard pattern through Neyland Stadium. This will be the eighth #CheckerNeyland in program history.

“When Tennessee hosts Kentucky on Nov. 2, it will be the third annual Champions Weekend presented by Pilot. That weekend, teams and individuals who won SEC and/or NCAA championships during specific years are invited back to Rocky Top to celebrate their achievements.”

UT will also honor the 2024 Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame Class on Nov. 2. The Volunteers’ Homecoming will be on Nov. 9 against Mississippi State. Finally, Tennessee will host its annual Salute to Service game when UTEP visits Neyland Stadium on Nov. 23.

Of course, Tennessee isn’t waiting until conference play to kick off the festivities. For its season opener on Aug. 31 against Chattanooga, UT will host a Youth Sports Day presented by DICK’S House of Sport. From 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., fans can participate in photo ops or jump on inflatables in Vol Village.

There will certainly be no shortage of Vols fans swarming Neyland Stadium this fall. The Kent State, Florida, Alabama, Kentucky and Mississippi State games are already sold out. Moreover, season tickets are sold out for the second year in a row.

Tennessee led the SEC in total home attendance (713,405) and average home attendance (101,915) last season. The Vols were ranked third and fourth nationally in those categories, respectively. 

“People around the country are trying to figure out how to make their stadiums smaller,” Tennessee athletic director Danny White said during the Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville in April. “We’re 102,000 strong and sold out for the season. We’re fortunate at Tennessee to have what I believe to be the best fanbase in sport.”

Neyland Stadium has been sold out 13 straight times, dating back to a 63-6 win over Akron on September 17, 2022. All seven home games last season were sold out and the final six home games of the 2022 season were capacity crowds.

Volquest’s Grant Ramey also contributed to this article.