The renovations of Lindsey Nelson Stadium are almost fully finished after three years of construction.
The Tennessee baseball stadium has been under renovation since November 2023, when the school broke
ground on an ambitious project to expand and revamp the venue that was initially budgeted at $95.8 million and later increased to $105.1 million. The most expensive, complicated and noticeable aspects of the renovations were completed before the 2026 season, so just a few areas remain unfinished.
Among them are an entrance plaza in left field, new offices for coaches and a new player’s entrance.
A UT spokesperson said that the left field plaza should be completed before Tennessee football’s first game on Sept. 5 and that hopes are the offices and player entrance will be finished in mid-October.
What’s left to be completed in Lindsey Nelson Stadium renovations
UT’s most recent construction updates in June listed the Lindsey Nelson Stadium renovations as 98% complete with a projected completion date of fall 2026. Barring any major setbacks, the multi-year project will be finished before the 2027 season begins.
The largest unfinished project is the left field plaza adjacent to Todd Helton Drive and the left field porches. It is at street level below the main concourse down the third base line. When completed, it will be an open-air area for fans to enter the stadium and congregate.
The area was a work in progress during the 2026 season, surrounded by temporary, blacked-out fencing with construction equipment parked there when activity paused. Now, the asphalt surface has been replaced with a more permanent cement one consistent with the rest of the stadium concourse. Brick posts with more permanent fencing are being erected on the perimeter of the plaza, some featuring signage for the porch gate.
The sidewalk following Pat Head Summitt Road between the home plate entrance and left field is fully paved, although work is still ongoing with the road unfinished. These areas are still actively under construction zone and not yet open to the public.
According to UT’s construction updates, work on the coaches’ offices began in June. Repairs to address water intrusion along the first-base concourse were also undertaken this summer.
Recent renovations at Lindsey Nelson Stadium
The groundbreaking ceremony for stadium renovations was in late 2023, but changes really started to take shape ahead of the 2025 season, when new features like seats behind home plate, a standing-room only student section down the right-field line, a new sound system and renovated restrooms were unveiled. Portions of the stadium tower were in place as cranes rose from behind home plate to assemble it.
All but a few aspects of the renovations were unveiled before the 2026 season. Seating capacity grew from about 6,300 to over 8,000 with additional standing room areas, and a third level was added to the stadium with suites, club space, a new press box and broadcast booths, plus a mezzanine level. The entrance behind home plate was redesigned with a new plaza area. Throughout the stadium, new concessions, restrooms and elevators were operational.
A new turf field and LED stadium lighting were also installed.
Emmett Siegel covers Tennessee baseball for Knox News. Email: emmett.siegel@knoxnews.com; X: @EmmettSiegel_
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: What's left for Lindsey Nelson Stadium renovations before 2027 Tennessee baseball season
