Fans heading to Neyland Stadium for Saturday’s Tennessee-Texas game can get a little something back for showing up early: half-off concessions from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
The Vols announced the offer on Friday, and it applies to concessions stands only. Grab-and-go markets are not included. Alcohol is part of the discount, too.
There’s also a bonus for the early crowd inside the stadium. Tennessee Football said ESPN’s College Gameday will be on the video board for fans who are already in their seats.
The early gate opening comes with a more serious reason behind it. President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend the game, and that means heightened security around Neyland Stadium. Fans will have to go through Secret Service Police screening, and the university is urging everyone to arrive “significantly earlier” than they normally would.
The security perimeter around the stadium will open at 8 a.m. In addition to the Secret Service’s screenings, there will be extra checkpoints and verification procedures in place around Neyland.
University of Tennessee Police are telling fans to have mobile tickets ready before they get to the stadium, keep what they bring to a minimum, and review the school’s clear bag policy.
Knoxville Police are also asking fans to build in extra travel time because of the president’s attendance. The matchup was already expected to draw a big crowd, since it is both a checker Neyland game and the site of ESPN’s College GameDay.
The added traffic won’t stop at the stadium gates. McGhee Tyson Airport has already said Sunday is expected to be its busiest day in airport history, with about 10,000 travelers moving through the airport between the Tennessee-Texas game and fall break starting for some area schools.
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