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A family attending the Bingo event during Spring Family Reunion. They are all smiling together.

Vol Family Reunions

Vol Family Reunions are an opportunity for Volunteer families to return to Rocky Top and reconnect with their student, the university community, and the spirit of Big Orange Country. Each reunion weekend invites families to experience life on campus, explore Knoxville, and engage with the people and places that make the Volunteer experience unique.

Vol Family Reunions celebrate the partnership between families and the university in supporting student success and belonging. Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip to Rocky Top, these weekends are designed to foster connection, pride, and discovery for the entire Volunteer family.

Join us on Rocky Top on September 18–20, 2026, or October 16–18, 2026, for a Vol Family Reunion. Please note that families may only register for one weekend.

Registration

Registration for Vol Family Reunion will open on Tuesday, June 16 at 1:00 p.m. EDT.

Registration is $75 per person and includes access to most weekend events and activities, including the Tennessee Family Tailgate and Beer Garden. Registration also includes a game day tote for your family, small spirit and giveaway items, guest parking passes, printed materials, food, and activities throughout the weekend.

While a t-shirt is not included with registration, limited-edition spirit boxes will go on sale in August and will include a t-shirt and other exclusive Vol Family items. Spirit boxes will be available for purchase by all families, whether or not they are registered for Vol Family Reunion. More details will be shared later this summer.

All active members of the Tennessee Family Association will receive registration information via email. Families can only register for one weekend. We do not maintain a waiting list for this event.

Schedule of Events

Event information is subject to change, and new events are added periodically.

Friday, September 18 & October 16

Vol Family Reunion Check-in

Pick up your Vol Family Reunion registration materials and favors. To receive your materials, you must bring the unique QR code included in your confirmation email. During check-in, you will receive your access wristbands, which are required for entry into all events. Be sure to snap a photo in our Photo Booth while you are here.

Friday Night Kick-Off Event

Join the Division of Student Life for the official kickoff to Vol Family Reunion. Various campus departments will be set up with interactive activities, giveaways, and opportunities to connect. Stop by to explore campus resources, win prizes, and start your weekend off strong.

Saturday, September 19 & October 17

Tennessee Family Tailgate

Start your Vols game day with a delicious tailgate at the Student Union. The tailgate will feature live music, food, fun, and games for families and students to enjoy. Wristbands required for entry; guests must be 21 or older to consume alcoholic beverages.

Sunday, September 20 & October 18

Sunday Brunch

See what it’s like to eat like a Vol with your student. Use this time to connect and visit with other families as we conclude a great Vol Reunion.

UT students who have a meal plan may use a meal swipe to enter the brunch and can use their guest meals to cover their family members and guests. Students who don’t have a meal plan may use their Flex Plan or Credit/Debit Card and pay at the door. Family members and guests who cannot utilize their student’s guest meals can purchase their meal ticket for brunch ahead of time.

Additional Information

Football Tickets

Football tickets are not included in your registration and we do not provide a football ticket allotment. If you are interested in purchasing football tickets, we encourage you to visit the official website for Tennessee Athletics Ticketing.

Single-game tickets are expected to go on sale later this summer. Once an official on-sale date is announced, we will share that information with families.

Refund Requests

Due to the nature of processing, planning, and event coordination, Family Experience is unable to offer full refunds to Vol Family Reunion registrants at any time. If you need to modify or cancel your registration, please contact us at [email protected].
Vol Family Reunions will take place except in the most severe weather conditions. In the event of rain, all activities will take place as scheduled, possibly in alternate locations. However, in the event of severe weather such as lightning, Family Experience, together with the University of Tennessee may elect to delay or cancel any part of Vol Family Reunions at any time. For more information on the University of Tennessee’s Inclement Weather Policy, visit Public Safety.

Photo Release

There will be professional photography services on-site at Vol Family Reunions and other Family Experience events. The Family Experience reserves the right to use these pictures in publications and on University of Tennessee website(s) as it sees fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

The following is a list of questions we are most frequently asked about Vol Family Reunions, as well as responses to those questions. If you can not find the answer to your question, please contact us at [email protected].

Registration

Registration for the fall Vol Family Reunions will open in June or early July. All active members of the Tennessee Family Association will receive registration information via their email.

Families with active membership in the Tennessee Family Association can register for Vol Family Reunions. If you are not a member of the Association, you can join for free by visiting the Tennessee Family Hub.

No, families can register for one weekend only.

While we hope your student will attend Vol Family Reunion events with you, they aren’t automatically included in your registration. You will need to register each individual member attending a Vol Family Reunion, including your student.

Unfortunately, we are not able to take registrations over the phone. You may register online using the Tennessee Family Hub.

No, there is no onsite registration.

Yes, your family is still welcome to join us on Rocky Top. There will be plenty of events and activities on campus and in the community for your family to participate in.

Additionally, you and your family are welcome to plan another weekend to visit your student on Rocky Top. Visit Plan Your Visit to learn more about how to find events & activities in Knoxville.

No, we are unable to provide a waitlist for closed events. It is possible that passes/tickets to “sold out” events will become available if current registrants make changes to or cancel their registrations. When this occurs, their tickets are released and become available online.

Due to the nature of processing, planning, and event coordination, Family Experience is unable to offer full refunds to Vol Family Reunion registrants at any time. If you need to modify or cancel your registration, please contact us at [email protected].

No, unfortunately, we do not allow registrations to be transferred to another Volunteer family. If you need to cancel or modify your registration, please email us at [email protected].

The Family Experience Team will send a comprehensive email including the finalized schedule, parking information and check-in instructions one week prior to each Vol Family Reunion.

Football Tickets

No, football tickets are not included in your registration and we do not provide a football ticket allotment. If you are interested in purchasing football tickets, we encourage you to visit allvolls.com, the official website for Tennessee Athletics Ticketing.

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide log-in assistance for the Tennessee Athletics ticketing site. You will need to contact them directly via the LiveChat feature or by phone at 865-656-1200.

Events and Accommodations

Vol Family Reunions start on Friday and the schedule for the weekend traditionally includes a Welcome & Kick-Off event, Slap the Rock with the Student Government Association (SGA), the Tennessee Family Tailgate, and Sunday Brunch at Rocky Top Dining Hall. There will be additional events from various offices and academic departments hosted throughout the weekend as well. Be sure to check out the schedule of events for continuous updates leading up to the weekend.

Check-in for Vol Family Reunions will take place on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Additional information will be provided via email to all registered families.

We will not offer an opportunity for late check in. We encourage you to have your student check-in on your behalf if you are unable to pick them up.

Once you have registered for a Vol Family Reunion, we ask that you email the Family Experience team at [email protected] to provide the dietary accommodations needed for you and your family members or guests.

Accessible parking is available throughout the weekend and will be shared in our communications.

Family Experience is unable to provide mobility chair reservations or guarantee shuttling and other types of mobility assistance for Vol Family Reunions. Events and activities take place in accessible locations on campus, but guests will be responsible for their transportation to the venue.

Vol Family Reunion participation will usually involve significant amounts of walking and traversing campus, especially crowded spaces on Gameday. These events may not be suitable for all guests.

Families and guests participating in Vol Family Reunions are responsible for their own lodging accommodations for the weekend. Members of the Tennessee Family Association have access to hotel discounts and can access this list in the Tennessee Family Hub.

On-campus parking accommodations during Vol Family Reunions are only provided on Friday and Sunday. All registered family members will receive detailed parking instructions one week prior to each weekend.

We will not provide parking accommodations on Saturday for game day. Information regarding parking for game day can be found on the Parking & Transportation website. Please plan accordingly.

There’s plenty happening on a weekend in Knoxville. Be sure to check out the Plan Your Visit for the latest event updates throughout the weekend. Check back periodically as we get closer to September for the most up-to-date information!