Tennessee football announced it will open gates at 9 a.m. and encouraged fans to arrive "significantly" earlier than normal due to President Trump attending the Sept. 26 game against Texas at Neyland Stadium.
No. 13 Tennessee (3-0) plays No. 1 Texas (3-0) on Sept. 26 (noon ET, ABC) at Neyland Stadium in the SEC opener.
The Knoxville Police Department is preparing to assist with Trump’s visit, spokesperson Christyn Allen told Knox News. Fans should expect increased security in and around the stadium.
"If you’re attending the game, plan accordingly and allow extra travel time," police advise.
Tennessee gameday guidance with President Trump attending game
Tennessee confirmed Trump's attendance to the game and provided guidance to fans in a university release on Sept. 23.
Ticketed attendees are strongly encouraged
to arrive significantly earlier than they would for a typical game. Enhanced security screening will be conducted before entry by the Secret Service Police at all stadium gates. Fans should expect increased wait times as kickoff approaches.
Re-entry is not permitted once a ticket has been scanned for admission.
Fans should also anticipate additional security checkpoints and verification procedures in areas surrounding Neyland Stadium. To help expedite entry, attendees should have mobile tickets ready before approaching stadium gates.
Guests are encouraged to travel light and review the University of Tennessee Athletics clear bag policy and prohibited items list before arriving on campus. Prohibited items will not be allowed inside Neyland Stadium, and there are no storage locations available for prohibited items. Guests should leave restricted items at home or securely stored in their vehicles. For a complete list of Secret Service prohibited items, visit https://www.secretservice.gov/prohibiteditems.
Heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic are expected across portions of campus several hours before kickoff. Temporary roadway closures, traffic control measures, and pedestrian routing adjustments may be implemented to support game day operations. Fans should allow extra travel time and consider arriving well in advance of kickoff.
Fans should also expect congestion and brief delays when moving through campus and areas near the stadium before and after the game.
The sellout game was already going to be a spectacle. With Trump attending, it will add to the scene and tighten security around Neyland Stadium, which has a capacity of 101,915.
Fans should expect extra security and a Secret Service presence at the game.
Tennessee worked all offseason to solve traffic issues around Neyland Stadium. But some fans encountered long lines and extra security measures at the Vols' first two home games of the season. Trump's arrival will exacerbate those challenges.
It already was expected to a lively game day. ESPN's "College GameDay" will air live from 9 a.m. to noon, originating from the lawn of Ayres Hall and moving inside Neyland Stadium for the final hour.
ESPN declined to comment to USA TODAY Sports on Sept. 23, when asked whether Trump will appear on "College GameDay."
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football has early plan for fans with Trump attending game vs Texas
