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a large crowd attending a football game in Neyland Stadium

Get Ready for the First Football Game!

It’s football time in Tennessee and we can’t wait to see the Orange Bowl Champions back in action! Neyland Stadium is electric and attending a Volunteers football game is a bucket list experience for many students, so let’s talk about the top 10 need-to-know info about getting student tickets and attending home football games.

1. The Basics

Student tickets are $10 each, and students can only purchase tickets if they request tickets and are drawn in the weighted lotteries called Claim 1 & Claim 2. These lotteries are weighted based on loyalty points. Request periods open about 10 days before the game, and exact dates can be found on the Big Orange Tix website.

2. Loyalty Points are Essential.

Loyalty Points are used to determine which students are offered tickets in Claim 1 and Claim 2. The more points you have, the better your chances of being drawn in the lottery!

3. Earning Points

Each home game offers a different number of loyalty points this season. If you request, purchase, and attend a game, you earn those points. If you request tickets but are not chosen in Claim 1 or Claim 2, you earn one more loyalty point than those attending the game to better your chances in the future.

4. Going with Friends

Students can only create groups during the request period. The average loyalty points of the students in the group is what is used by the lottery. So your entire group will be drawn altogether or not at all during Claim 1. In Claim 2’s lottery, groups will be broken up and individuals may be chosen to purchase a ticket based on their own loyalty points.

5. Game Day Must Haves

Students who were drawn in the Claim 1 or 2, and purchased their tickets will receive an email before game day with all the important details. This email will include what gate students need to enter, and a reminder about the clear bag policy. You’ll need to have your student ID, and your ticket downloaded to your phone or printed out. No screenshots of tickets will be accepted this year.

6. Get there early!

Gates open 2 hours before kick-off. Avoid the last-minute rush and ensure you don’t miss any second of the game by arriving at the gates early! Plus: Occasionally games offer swag and prizes for early entrants!

7. Hydrate and Wear Sunscreen

It’s sunny in Neyland for most games, so be sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day, and apply sunscreen regularly.

8. Be Responsible

We know how fun it is to attend tailgates while celebrating the Vols before the big game, but we want to be sure everyone is responsible and safe. If you are 21 and over and choose to drink alcohol at the game, make sure you stay hydrated, identify a designated driver, and if you see someone in distress, text VOLS to 69050. Learn more at wellness.utk.edu.

9. Request Request Request!

We expect several sold-out games this year. Students who continue to request tickets, whether they are drawn during the Claim periods or not, will continue to gain points and increase their future chances.

Students who only request tickets for big rival games are less likely to have the loyalty points to be chosen compared to those who have attended or requested tickets for several games during the season.

10. Sign up for Reminders!

Never miss a request window for a home game by opting into reminder emails! Students can choose to receive reminder emails when request windows open for football. To opt-in for these emails, students must log in to the Student Ticket Portal, click student information, and check the “reminder email” button for all sports or individual sports under their student status information. Get started at Big Orange Tix today.