Where I Live

Neyland Stadium is home to the University of Tennessee Volunteers football team . It was originally called Shields-Watkins Field because of its original benefactors when it opened in March of 1921. When it opened, it seated 3,200 people in bleachers on the west side of the field. With the success of General Robert R. Neyland who coached the Vols from 1926-1952, the stadium underwent five expansions. The largest of these expansions came in 1948 and saw 48,000 fans attend that year’s homecoming against Alabama. Through the years the the stadium has seen 17 renovations or additions bring the capacity to 102,037. Since the last major renovation in 1996, there has not been a University of Tennessee home game with less than 100,000 fans. Neyland Stadium is the largest football stadium in the south and the third largest stadium in all of college football in the United States.  In 1962 the name was changed to Neyland Stadium to honor the legendary coach who ushered in an era of athletic excellence for the Tennessee Vols. Here is a quick snapshot (courtesy of UTSPORTS.com , Official Home of The University of Tennessee Men’s Athletics ) of how Neyland Stadium has grown:

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