In August 2023, Tennessee began a major project to expand the capacity of its baseball stadium, Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Over the last two and a half years, construction on the stadium has been nonstop. As they put the finishing touches on the stadium and prepare to open the season this weekend against Nicholls State, there are plenty of new and improved features.
First and foremost, the expansion has added an additional 1,714 seats to its total capacity, bringing the new total to 8,012 to start the season.
“We’ve got a number of spaces that we know we can do standing room only. Our question is ‘how many can we pack in there and make it a good experience for our fans?’ We will be over 8,000 to start the year, and trust us, we will do everything we can to continue to grow that number,” Tennessee Deputy Athletics Director and Chief Marketing Officer Alicia Longworth said.
General admission and standing room are not the only improvements to the capacity, however. With the renovations to the seating areas behind home plate, the stadium now features suites and a club area for fans.
Longworth also mentioned the importance of keeping the intimate feel of Lindsey Nelson for the fans and the players as they made their improvements. She highlighted the atmosphere of playing in Lindsey Nelson and other Tennessee stadiums, and the importance of keeping fans close to the action with these renovations.
“Playing in any of our venues, there is this competitive advantage to where the fans sit and how close they are, so we wanted to do the same thing here,” Longworth said.
Longworth also spoke about the excitement that fans should have for this new stadium. From the new main entrance that is “kind of like the south end zone of Neyland,” as Longworth put it, to the expanded concourse with more room, a walk-in VolShop, more concession options, and more bathrooms, the design really puts the fans first.
“We couldn’t have built all of this if the fans weren’t as excited about the baseball program as we are,” Longworth said. “I think our fans will be really excited about a lot of things.”
The renovations aren’t just limited to more seats and concession stands, however. With the construction came improvements to team facilities as well. Longworth highlighted new turf on the field and improved and expanded player injury and recovery areas.
Longworth also hinted at improved fan experiences, including programmable lights for light shows and the possibility of fireworks from the roof of the suites.
Despite years of construction and a largely finished product, there are still a few things the Tennessee is working to finish before baseball returns to Knoxville in the fall. Longworth mentioned new coaches’ offices and new entry gates for players and fans that will complete the grand look and feel of this brand-new stadium in Knoxville.
“We’re still a work-in-progress,” Longworth said. “There is a lot going on from cleaning and construction crews are still here. What our fans will see this weekend is awesome, but I promise you, each weekend, it’s going to continue to get better.”
