Details are beginning to emerge for the first show at Neyland Stadium in 16 years.
As you’ve most likely heard by now, Garth Brooks will take advantage of a rare second open date for the Tennessee Volunteers on November 16th.
While the Vols won’t hit the field for a home game for a span that stretches almost a month, the third Saturday in November will not stray from the traditional game-day experience, according to Thompson-Boling Arena Director Tim Reese. “If you’re a concert-goer who isn’t used to attending games at the University of Tennessee, you might want to get here sooner than you would for a regular show.”
The tailgating aspect will also be in full effect for the once-in-a-lifetime concert. “We’re encouraging people to be on campus early. The basketball team will be playing in Toronto at 5:00PM, so fans can bring their tailgating TVs and catch the first half before going in to the concert,” said Reese.
The doors for the event will open at 5:00 for those looking to get a lay of the land pre-show and a yet-to-be-determined opener will begin at 7:00.
In many cases, Brooks brings regional talent on board to open his shows, and with Nashville being so close to Knoxville, the middle part of the Volunteer state could be well represented. “It would not surprise me if there were some special guests,” Reese mentioned.
In terms of production, the “front” of the stage will be placed at the 34-yard-line. It will be an open stage setup, with large video screens wrapping around the top of the structure. The center of the stage will sit around the 20-yard line and there will be viewing on all sides, including some special seats in the end zone at the “back” of the stage. The stage will “start” around the six-yard line. Reese mentioned that there is not a traditional “front” of the stage in that all seats will have sight lines. “It’s like an ‘in the round’ format,” he mentioned.
The stage is constructed in the shape of a human eye, with the widest part of the eye running parallel with the checkerboard end zones.
A second round of tickets for the event go on sale Thursday, September 19th at 10 AM EST. Each ticket costs $94.95, including all fees, and can only be purchased via Ticketmaster through one of the following three methods :
- Online via Ticketmaster.com/GarthBrooks
- Charge by phone on the Ticketmaster “Garth Brooks Line” – 1-877-654-2784
- Via the Ticketmaster App, which can be downloaded on a mobile device.
Reserved parking passes will be available as an add-on on the ticketing page. Reese encourages attendees to look into these options as parking will be very similar to that of a traditional home game for a football game. Those who are traveling can check with their respective lodging provider about shuttles to and from the show. Detailed information about the Knoxville concert-goer experience, such as local accommodations, will be available online at VisitKnoxville.com/GarthBrooks. Rooms offered at a specialized rate will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis and are expected to go fast.
ADDITIONAL CONCERT INFORMATION
Alcohol will be available for purchase at the concert.
The clear bag policy will be in place just as it is for all home games.
A designated rideshare drop-off/pickup area will be located on Circle Drive near Ayres Hall (not Circle Park).
Concert apparel is available for purchase on GarthBrooks.com and also will be available at Neyland Stadium the day of the show.
HOW DOES THIS CONCERT IMPACT THE ONGOING TENNESSEE FOOTBALL SEASON?
Staging for the Garth Brooks concert will begin early the week of Nov. 11, and a stage will be constructed on a covering over the turf at Shields-Watkins Field.
The Volunteers have an open date the day of the concert (Nov. 16) and play a road game on Nov. 23 before returning to Neyland Stadium to host Vanderbilt for the regular-season finale on Nov. 30.
The university has made plans to restore and re-sod the field beginning on Monday, Nov. 18, and expects the playing surface to be well established and playable when Tennessee kicks off against Vanderbilt.
