Knoxville is home to the University of Tennessee Volunteers and Knoxville is known for UT football game day. From September to November, every home game Saturday, you can expect to experience Rocky Top constantly blaring in the distance, a city encompassed in UT orange and white, and fans who (quite literally) never give up hope for their favorite team. And one thing about all these orange-and-white-sporting, hopeful fans is that they KNOW how to tailgate. WearKnox is here to teach you how to gameday like a true Knoxville native.
Where to tailgate in Knoxville, TN?
Tailgate Tennessee Game Day
Tailgate Tennessee is the official tailgate of Tennessee football. If you want to sit back, relax, and enjoy the Knoxville football game day without any of the hassle – Tailgate Tennessee was MADE for you. Tailgate Tennessee will set up a private tailgate in Circle Park just one block from Neyland Stadium with multiple packages to fit exactly what you need to enjoy your Rocky Top experience. They will even include flat screen TV’s or food catered from some of Knoxville’s favorite local eateries.
Vol Navy Tailgating
Next, Vol Navy is a University of Tennessee football-specific tradition dating all the way back to 1962. During all University of Tennessee home games, the Vol Navy congregates boats on the Tennessee River in sight of Neyland Stadium. However, you don’t need to have a boat to join the festivities! Join in by hanging out by the Tennessee riverbank and watch as the Vol Navy arrives for their favorite football teams’ game day!
Fort Sanders UT Football Game Day Tailgating
Lastly, Fort Sanders or as Knoxville Natives call it, “The Fort”, is a neighborhood area in Knoxville located west of downtown and north of the University of Tennessee campus. It is technically off campus but it is walking distance to Neyland Stadium and offers more convenient and budget-friendly parking options for your tailgate! Just bring a tent, your favorite game day snacks, and a speaker to obnoxiously blast Rocky Top until game time as passerby’s trek to Neyland Stadium!
What to wear on UT Game days?
Orange, orange, and more orange! Below are some of the best places to look your best on game days in Knoxville. We hope orange is your color…
WearKnox
WearKnox is a college course with a mission. University of Tennessee students manage the WearKnox brand – with many designs coming straight from UT students! But, that’s not all, when you buy WearKnox products and support the project, you also directly donate money for a good cause. WearKnox is a store operated by United Way of Greater Knoxville, and the other 50% of our revenue benefits local charities in and around Knoxville. Here are some of our favorite orange and white options from WearKnox: Ladies Orange Short Sleeve T-Shirt, KnoxChill Short Sleeve Unisex T-Shirt, Cuffed Knoxville, TN Beanie.
UT VolShop
The UT VolShop is the official campus store of the University of Tennessee. Shop online here or stop by 1502 Cumberland Avenue right across from Neyland Stadium on game day for any last-minute orange and white needs!
What to bring for game day tailgate snacks?
Now that you have the perfect set up and look to experience a UT Football game day, you just need the snacks to make your day sweet as soda pop (shameless Rocky Top reference…). We have all the snack ideas to appease even the pickiest of tailgaters… and, of course, they’re orange themed!
UT Football Game Day Buffalo Chicken Dip
First, is Buffalo chicken dip, a classic tangy, creamy snack option for the optimal UT football game day experience. Check out our favorite recipe here and even make it vegetarian by substituting jackfruit for chicken!
UT Football Checkerboard Rice Krispies Treats
You didn’t think we would make a UT football game day snack list without including a checkerboard, right? Next, for a classic, delicious snack for all generations – find our favorite Rice Krispies Treat recipe here. But, here’s the catch – make one batch with an added 10 drops of orange food coloring. Then, you can make a classic UT checkerboard for your tailgate guests to enjoy!
French Toast and Oranges
For the fateful noon games, when tailgates must begin at the crack of dawn, we have your go-to orange breakfast option. This rich, delicious recipe will take the edge off the 8:00 am tailgate time. Find our favorite recipe here that is sure to please even the late risers of the group!