Tennessee exploring possibility of a 'Neyland Entertainment District'

Tennessee athletic director Danny White is exploring the possibility of a “first-in-class entertainment district” near Neyland Stadium and Thompson-Boling Arena, the Vols announced in a press release Wednesday afternoon. 

The potential project for the “Neyland Entertainment District” would be “a public-private partnership” and would span the Tennessee River’s waterfront near the stadium. The Vols currently have ongoing renovation plans at Neyland Stadium that run through Fall 2025.

“Anchored by a planned hotel adjacent to the stadium’s south end, the mixed-use Neyland Entertainment District could uniquely enhance the Tennessee football gameday experience,” Tennessee wrote in the press release, “while also transforming the campus riverfront and supplementing Knoxville’s array of gathering centers with yet another attractive leisure and entertainment hub.”

The proposed Neyland Entertainment District would connect and serve both Neyland Stadium and Thompson-Boling Arena. 

Neyland Entertainment District could include ‘tabletop’ development above G10 parking garage

According to the press release, Tennessee’s “initial concept for the project—which would improve the aesthetics of Neyland Stadium’s exterior façade and strengthen campus’s connection with the Tennessee River—includes a boutique, full-service hotel with for-sale condominiums and conference/event space. The vision also features the potential development of a ‘tabletop’ above the existing G10 parking garage to support additional tailgating, restaurants, retail and family-friendly entertainment activities.”

Tennessee has made a formal “Request of Information” to gauge interest from developers.

“Innovation is at the forefront of everything we do,” White said in the press release. “The ideation of this new Neyland Entertainment District exemplifies that mindset. This is a massive project that has the potential to positively impact our entire city. We’re eager to see what world-class developers dream up to creatively maximize this extraordinary market opportunity. We have the capacity for constructing an entertainment ecosystem that doesn’t presently exist anywhere across the collegiate landscape.

“This is far greater than an activation on seven or eight days a year. This is a year-round destination that not only enhances our gamedays but also elevates the everyday academic experience of our entire student body and campus community year-round.”

Project could create provide a ‘year-round destination’ for Tennessee fans on campus

Tennessee is using the firm Brailsford & Dunleavy “as a guiding partner” in the exploratory phase of the Neyland Entertainment District.

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

“This public-private partnership opportunity will enhance the look and atmosphere of Neyland Stadium and the Knoxville campus,” University of Tennessee President Randy Boyd added in the release, “while creating an additional destination for the city of Knoxville, all without state funding.”