Neyland Stadium Entertainment District construction likely to begin this summer

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Construction around Neyland Stadium is expected to start this summer.

After the state approved the project, University of Tennessee officials announced work will start on the G-10 garage for the Neyland Entertainment District. The project will take a couple of years and will cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

Previous coverage: Tennessee Building Commission approves Neyland Entertainment District projects

“The university, with our partner, 865 Neyland, will develop a new entertainment district at Neyland Stadium,” said Randy Boyd, UT president.

Included in the development is a new parking garage, a retail and entertainment space and a hotel right outside the football stadium.

The retail and entertainment side is the cheapest part of the project, with a $65 million price tag. Additionally, the new parking garage at G-10 will cost more than $80 million, and the condo hotel will cost more than $200 million, according to Boyd.

While UT expects to start full replacement of G-10 sometime this summer, Boyd hopes to have it done by fall of 2027, with the retail and entertainment finalized by next year.

However, according to VolQuest’s Brett Hubbs, the parking garage could wind up being the biggest issue with the project to start.

Hubbs said the project is part of the new era of college sports, and the university is looking at new ways to make more money.

“When this thing came about, it seemed like some revolutionary idea and now we’re seeing one proposed to go in to Lexington, Kentucky around Kentucky’s football stadium; same thing at Ole Miss as well,” Hubbs said.

Hubbs said the construction will put some stress on football fall, basketball winter and regular student parking.

“It’s going to be awesome on gameday. It’ll be awesome on basketball games. I think the question becomes what is it in June? What is it in July and May when there’s not a lot of events going on. Is it sustainable?” Hubbs said.

Updated coverage following the construction’s official start date is to follow.