Neyland Stadium is rolling out half-price concessions, including alcohol, for early birds before the huge No. 13 Tennessee Vols take on No. 1 Texas this Saturday. This isn’t just a sweet deal; it’s a strategic move to manage what’s going to be an absolutely wild scene on September 26.
Get There Early or Miss Out (and Maybe Pay Full Price)
Here’s the deal: fans who get into Neyland Stadium between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. will snag 50% off all concessions. Yep, that includes your favorite game-day beverages! The promotion is designed to get people through the gates early because President Donald Trump is attending the game. You know what that means: enhanced security. Expect those usual entry lines to be even longer than usual. To help with the crush, gates are opening at 9 a.m., a full hour earlier than typical for a noon kickoff. It’s smart, but it also means if you’re not an early riser, you’re either paying full price or waiting in some serious queues. This isn’t just about grabbing a cheap beer; it’s about navigating a massive security event for a pivotal game.
Undefeated Showdown and a Storied Rivalry
This isn’t just any game, either. We’re talking about two undefeated powerhouses: the No. 13 Vols, rocking a perfect 3-0 record, going up against the No. 1 Texas Longhorns, also sitting pretty at 3-0. This is the kind of matchup that sets the tone for the season, a true test for both squads. And while these teams don’t play every year, there’s some serious history between them, especially in bowl games. Back on January 1, 1969, Texas absolutely gored Tennessee 36-13 in the Cotton Bowl. Vols quarterback Bubba Wyche was under pressure all day, getting grabbed by Texas defenders while looking for a receiver. Doug Dickey, the Tennessee head coach, showed the strain on the sidelines as his team struggled against the rampaging Longhorns in front of 72,000 fans. Bubba Wyche, Bobby Scott, and Hank Lauricella, who famously dashed 75 yards in an earlier matchup, were all part of that rivalry. However, it hasn’t always gone Texas’s way. The 1950 Tennessee football Volunteers celebrated a Cotton Bowl win over Texas on New Year’s Day 1951, a game that featured Hank Lauricella running wild. This upcoming game on Saturday has the potential to add another legendary chapter to that history, with both teams looking to keep their perfect records intact.
So, get ready for a packed house, enhanced security, and potentially some very happy (and hydrated) early-arriving fans. This noon kickoff is going to be electric, and with both teams coming in undefeated, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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