ENHANCEMENTS & CHANGES COMING TO THE FOOD CITY CENTER
Two years ago, when Tennessee Athletics partnered with Food City and we promised a modernized experience for our fans within this building. Now, as we look toward the future and you can expect new videoboards, a new arena sound system and a Riverside Club in the lower level of the arena this upcoming basketball season.
Approximately 1,500 seats in the lower level of Food City Center will now have access to a newly updated space providing unique food & beverage options and a club space to socialize in prior to the game and at halftime.
A new center hung video board, corner boards and 360 LED ribbon will be installed in the summer of 2025. The new center hung will feature larger video screens on all 4 sides and an enhanced bottom ring. The centerhung will also include interior boards for those courtside and in the lower portion of the arena to have better visibility of live video updates. All 4 corner boards within the seating area will now display live video as well as score & stat information.
The new sound system will feature high performance speaker arrays to provide even distribution of sound levels. Additionally the new system will expand the sound coverage in premium suite areas and includes new concourse and restroom speakers throughout the venue.
Riverside Club at Food City Center
New Food City Center Videoboard
Season Ticket Pricing Information
Prior to the 2022-23 season you will recall Tennessee Athletics changed the per seat giving model to create a fair and equitable model for football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball and softball fans. That season we decreased our pricing across the arena and since the 2021-22 season the Tennessee men's basketball team has gone 56-4 in the Food City Center. As we continue to modernize all of our venues and create the best home court advantage in the country for our basketball program, fans in non-premium areas all around Food City Center can expect to see a moderate price increase of 6% across the arena. Ticket and donation money continues to fund our overall operational budget and as we mentioned in the fall many operational costs continue to rise – ground & air travel, hotel expenses, scholarships and food/beverage.
In addition to the ticket and donation increase, as we announced last September, all fans can expect to see an additional 10% increase for the Talent Fee. This money will go directly to support our student-athletes and help us continue to attract and retain the best talent to Rocky Top.
If you have immediate questions, please contact your Tennessee Athletics representative or contact us via email at utadpricing@utk.edu.
You may also schedule a Calendly appointment, by clicking this scheduling link.
FAQ
Who will receive priority for the NEW Riverside Club seating options?
- During the upcoming renewal process, you can notate your 2025-26 seating wishes via a request process.
- Season ticket holders currently sitting in a location that will become the NEW Riverside Club will have the first right of refusal to remain in this NEW area, which will be selected in donor rank order in GROUP 1. Individuals in GROUP 1 can request the current number of seats they have in your impacted section and/or up to SIX total seats.
- For example, if you currently have four seats in Section 103 in Row 12, you can opt into this selection process for up to six seats.
- For example, if you currently have eight seats in Section 103 in Row 12, you can opt into this selection process for up to eight seats.
- Once the initial group of tickets is selected, individuals new to this area or who wish to purchase additional seats in the Riverside Club above and beyond their current max, will select their seats second, in donor rank order, in GROUP 2.
- As we work through this process, there is no guarantee that your new seat location will be the exact same location that you currently have.
- Additional details on timing and our guidelines will be shared soon.
I currently have seats in an impacted location, how will I keep these?
- During the upcoming renewal process, you can notate your 2025-26 seating wishes via a request process.
- Season ticket holders currently sitting in a location that will become the NEW Riverside Club will have the first right of refusal to remain in this new area in their current seats (so long as they are not impacted). If your seats are impacted, you will enter GROUP 1 to select from the available inventory after renewal.
- Individuals in GROUP 1 can request their current number of seats, impacted by the NEW Riverside Club. Once the initial group of tickets is selected, individuals who are new to this area or wish to purchase additional seats in the Riverside Club, will select their seats second, in donor rank order, in GROUP 2.
- As we work through this process, we cannot guarantee that seating options for the impact seated holders will be in the exact same location, Tennessee Athletics will do its best to provide a comparable location (so long as you agree to pay the new price).
- Additional details on timing and our guidelines will be shared soon.
I currently have seats in an impacted area; however, I do not wish to pay the new price for the Riverside Club seats, what are my options:
If you are currently in an area that will become the NEW Riverside Club, but choose not to opt into this option, we will work with you from a priority relocation standpoint, in donor rank order.
How will impacted section relocation occur?
This process will be completed online using a virtual venue map. In the coming weeks, we will send additional information on this process.
When will the donor rank cutoff be for impacted section relocation priority?
This date is currently TBD. Once the renewal timeline is set, we will communicate this out.
What amenities will the Riverside Club have?
- 1,500+ fans will be able to access the Riverside Club on the floor level of Food City Center.
- The Riverside Club will be a new space opening in the 2025-26 season. Fans will be able to purchase updated food and beverage offerings. Additional TVs and amenities will create an enhanced space for fans.
How will I access the Riverside Club?
The Riverside Club will be located on the ground floor of Thompson Boling Arena at Food City Center. Before next season, we will provide specific information on ingress/egress policies.
I do not have season tickets in the area impacted by the NEW Riverside Club, how do these changes impact me?
Season ticket holders (in areas not impacted by the Riverside Club) will be required to pay the new total season ticket cost (including ticket, per-seat contribution, and talent fee) to renew their current seats for the 25-26 men’s basketball season. Renewal invoices will be added to your allvols.com account in the coming weeks. Please look for an email from Tennessee Athletics about live renewals.
How will these changes impact parking?
The Tennessee Fund will be providing information on the 2025-26 parking allocation process later this summer.
What changes will I see if I have premium basketball tickets? I.e. - Courtside, Suite, or Loge?
- Please see the 2025-26 pricing map for up to date pricing/renewal information for next year’s premium seating
- If you have Loge season tickets, this pricing has been separated into Men’s Basketball and Women’s Basketball
- If you are a suite holder with a multi-year contract, your price will not be adjusted for this upcoming season.
How do I purchase seats in the new Riverside Club (if I currently have seats impacted by this change)?
If you would like to denote early interest, please fill out this interest form. After taking care of all impacted accounts first, we will sell new seats in the Riverside Club in donor rank order (if any inventory remains).
Can I buy access separately if I do not have seats affected by the new Riverside Club option?
Yes, we will provide updated information about the Riverside Club “opt-in” process at a later date. If you would like to indicate early interest, please fill out this interest form.
I currently pay for passes each year in the Harper Auto Courtside Club, will I be able to keep these?
Individuals who have access to the Harper Auto Courtside Club because of their respective courtside/baseline seats will keep access next year
Individuals with access to the Harper Auto Courtside Club, because they pay each year for entry, will not necessarily have the first right of refusal moving forward.
If I’m an account holder who has been paying a different amount historically, than the required per-seat gift, do I have to pay the new pricing structure?
Yes, all season ticket holders will be asked to pay an equitable amount. Each STH will pay the corresponding per-seat contributions for each seat in that section and at the price level.
I contributed to the Arena Building Fund in the 1980s or 1990s, how do these changes impact my account?
In order to be fair, equitable, and transparent, all men’s basketball season ticket holders will be assessed at the same price in each section for the corresponding ticket cost and the qualifying per-seat contribution.
My tickets have been identified at an Arena Donor status, which has historically provided me with priority to a number of season tickets. I want to continue to purchase my seats (not impacted by the Riverside Club). What are my options?
- You will have first right of refusal to keep your current seat location (as long as the new Riverside Club does not impact it).
- Given your Arena Donor status, you have the following choices:
- (1) Do not receive Tennessee Fund donor points to build priority within our donor system. Pay the full “all in” amount for season tickets without the per-seat contribution (ticket + taxes and fees).
- OR
- (2) Build Tennessee Fund donor priority points within the Tennessee Fund donor system priority within our donor system. Pay the same full “all-in” amount for season tickets distributed over ticket + per-seat contribution + taxes/fees, which includes basketball priority fund contribution amounts.
- Given your Arena Donor status, you have the following choices:
- We understand that some season ticket holders may wish to explore alternative locations and alternative price points. To that end, we will offer you a priority relocation opportunity. For any new location, we will ask that the full ticket cost and corresponding per-seat contribution is paid. To submit your requests for alternative options, please email utadpricing@utk.edu.
When will I receive a season ticket and per-seat donation invoice reflecting the new basketball donation structure and pricing?
Men’s Basketball renewal information will be sent in the coming weeks, along with specific information on our new pricing and how this impacts your specific account.
When is the renewal deadline? Why is the renewal window so short?
- The renewal deadline will be Thursday, May 15th.
- Due to arena updates and timing, we have worked to provide a renewal timeline as long as possible to ensure this process is completed by the start of the next basketball season.
Will Tennessee offer payment plans for men’s basketball season tickets?
Yes, Tennessee Athletics will offer a number of payment plans (depending on when someone renews their seats). The last date of the payment plans will be July 15.
When will enhancements begin regarding Thompson Boling Arena at Food City Center?
We expect arena enhancements to begin later this Spring, with all enhancements being completed by the start of the 2025-26 basketball season.
Who do I contact for questions that may not be answered on this page?
Please call 865-656-1200 (select option 1 for Ticket Sales or option 3 for the Tennessee Fund) or email us at utadpricing@utk.edu. If we are unable to answer your call due to high call volume, we will return it as promptly as possible. Our account representatives will also personally contact you over the coming weeks and months to address questions and discuss changes.
How will these changes impact Women’s Basketball season tickets?
In the coming weeks, current Women’s Basketball season ticket holders will receive information on updating pricing and seating guidelines.
