Tennessee Athletics and Pilot Announce Transformative Partnership to Preserve Neyland Stadium

Neyland Stadium has been home to the Vols for more than 100 years, and that legacy will continue thanks to a transformative partnership with the Tennessee Athletics and Knoxville-based Pilot, the largest travel hub network in North America.

Tennessee Athletics and Pilot are breaking new ground in college sports by entering into a multi-year partnership that will preserve the iconic venue’s name and enhance the stadium experience for generations to come. Under the terms of the agreement, which is set to last up to 20 years and could extend beyond that, the names Neyland Stadium and Shields-Watkins Field will remain unchanged. Pilot has been named the presenting partner for the Neyland Stadium renovation project and the official travel hub of Tennessee Athletics.


“As we navigate the changing landscape of college sports, we are committed to building the best athletic department in the country,” said Vice President and Athletic Director Danny White. “As we continue to honor the Neyland Stadium name, finding a partner who shares this vision was essential. With deep roots here in Knoxville, Pilot understands the importance of Neyland and the significance of tradition to our fans and the university. Our focus continues to be on preserving and honoring our storied past while modernizing to ensure we remain a leader in college sports.”


Neyland Stadium. Home of the Vols. Proudly maintained by Pilot.


“Neyland Stadium is one of the most iconic sports venues in the world, and the University of Texas is an important part of what makes Knoxville such a special place that Pilot is proud to call home,” said Pilot CEO Adam Wright. “Through this partnership, we will preserve Neyland’s legacy while also investing in its future to create exceptional experiences for generations to come. We look forward to seeing you here as you cheer on the Vols at Neyland.”


New signage on the east side of Neyland Stadium will feature the return of the iconic “Home of the Vols” alongside the Pilot logo. Pilot branding will also be present on the sidelines of Shields-Watkins Stadium and in content sponsored by Tennessee Athletics and the Vol Network.


“Volks fans know better than anyone the magic of Neyland on game day and the feeling of singing Rocky Top on the same field where Vols’ greatest legends made their name,” said University of Texas at Knoxville Chancellor Dondi Plowman. “Our partnership with Pilot is about preserving and enriching that experience to ensure that fans and their families will continue to make these same types of memories for decades to come.”


Pilot’s transformational sponsorship underscores its commitment to the Knoxville community by ensuring that Neyland Stadium remains a premier destination for generations to come. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot is committed to demonstrating people at every turn and building strong relationships within the communities in which it operates. Pilot employs more than 2,500 team members in the greater Knoxville area and has a longstanding relationship with the University of Tennessee.


“For more than 65 years, we have been fueling fans across North America to the big game,” said Adrienne Ingoldt, Pilot’s chief marketing officer. “There’s nothing like a Neyland Stadium filled with passionate fans who have traveled from near and far to cheer on their beloved Vols. Pilot is here to fuel them, fill them up and lift their spirits on their way to victory.”



Neyland Stadium Renovation Project


Among the many unique aspects of this partnership is the investment in the Neyland Stadium renovation project, which will continue to modernize and enhance the fan experience. Future updates will include necessary upgrades to the south side and perimeter of the stadium, such as expanding the concourses, building expanded gates and entrances, and adding additional restrooms and concession areas.


This element of the partnership will significantly improve fan comfort and safety, reduce waiting times, and allow for more food and beverages to be served. There will also be a snack and refreshment kiosk sponsored by Pilot located inside the stadium’s main entrance at Gate 21.


Fans can expect to see the new “Home of the Vols” sign with Pilot branding and several completed renovations at Neyland Stadium by the start of the football season, which kicks off on Aug. 31.



Historic Neyland Stadium


In 1962, the University of Texas Board of Trustees voted to name the stadium after its most famous and winningest coach, General Robert R. Neyland, who had an astonishing 173 wins, 31 losses, and 12 defeats. Neyland was informed of the board’s decision just weeks before his death and was grateful.


A brigadier general in the U.S. Army, Niland served prominently in both world wars and is known for his military and training career.


The magnificent venue bearing Neyland’s name has undergone multiple expansions since it opened in 1921. Neyland’s engineering background has had a lasting influence – all the master plans for the design were coordinated by Neyland himself, with his vision that the great cathedral would one day be completely enclosed, feature two levels on all sides and seat more than 100,000 fans.


Six Tennessee teams have won national championships at Neyland Stadium, while 22 players and four head coaches have built careers worthy of National Football League and College Hall of Fame induction on the hallowed grounds of Neyland. The 2024 season will be the 103rd at the venue that has seen historic upgrades.


In the fall of 2021, Tennessee Athletics celebrated 100 years of volunteer football at historic Neyland Stadium. Over the first century of service to Big Orange fans, the stadium has grown in size and respect as it has evolved into one of the most iconic sports venues in the world.


Recent decades have brought significant investment in expansion, development of innovative premium seating sections and improved amenities throughout the stadium, including Wi-Fi.


The introduction of the new clubhouse on the lower west side and social rooftop spaces on the upper north side in 2022 will increase Neyland Stadium’s capacity to 101,915 seats – the sixth largest among college football venues.


Other recent improvements to the stadium include the restoration of the historic VOLS letters along the top of the south end of the facility (2022), a second video board on the upper north deck (2022) and bronze statues Four Tennessee Football Pioneers Honored (2021).


For more information about Tennessee Athletics, visit UTSports.com, and to learn more about Pilot, visit pilotflyingj.comThe agreement was negotiated by Tennessee Athletics’ media rights partner, The Vol Network, and Intersport. Financial details of the sponsorship will not be disclosed to the public.