President Donald J. Trump is expected to attend Saturday’s football game between Tennessee and Texas, and that means Neyland Stadium is set for a different kind of game-day grind.
Fans are being told to get there early and be ready for tighter security around the stadium. All gates will open at 9:00 a.m., and ticketed attendees are strongly encouraged to arrive much earlier than they would for a normal game. The Secret Service Police will handle enhanced screening at every stadium gate, and longer waits are expected as kickoff gets closer.
Once a ticket has been scanned, re-entry will not be allowed.
There will also be extra checkpoints and verification procedures in the areas surrounding Neyland Stadium. To make the process move faster, fans are being asked to have their mobile tickets ready before they reach the gates.
Attendees are also being urged to travel light and review the University of Tennessee Athletics clear bag policy and prohibited items list before coming to campus. Restricted items will not be allowed inside Neyland Stadium, and there are no storage locations for them.
Guests should either leave those items at home or keep them locked in their vehicles. For the complete Secret Service prohibited items list, fans are directed to https://www.secretservice.gov/prohibiteditems.
Traffic is expected to be heavy for hours before kickoff, both for vehicles and pedestrians, with parts of campus likely to see temporary roadway closures, traffic control measures, and adjusted pedestrian routes. Fans are being told to build in extra time and plan on arriving well before kickoff.
Delays and congestion are also expected before and after the game as people move through campus and the areas near the stadium.
For the latest updates on game day, parking, traffic, and stadium policies, fans should follow the official University of Tennessee Police Department, Tennessee Athletics, and City of Knoxville social media channels.
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UCF Suddenly Faces A Bigger Problem Than Just TCU
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Keyone Jenkins is expected to start at quarterback in Barnetts place, and several other players are listed as probable or have already shifted roles to cover the gaps. For a team trying to get through conference play with some stability, the bigger challenge may be finding enough continuity to survive the adjustments rather than simply game-planning for the Horned Frogs. [Read more 🡒]
TCUs New Transfer Could Solve More Than One Special Teams Need
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John Schobel Is Giving TCU One More Reason To Believe On Defense
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For a defense that leads the Big 12 in scoring defense, that kind of early contribution matters, especially from a player with deep family ties to the program. Schobel now heads into the upcoming league opener against UCF with his own momentum building and another chance to show how much he can add to a unit that has already given TCU plenty to feel good about. [Read more 🡒]
