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Knoxville, TN
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Food City Center

Tennessee's large campus arena, formerly Thompson-Boling Arena, hosts Volunteers and Lady Volunteers basketball plus volleyball beside Neyland Stadium… Read more

Event-day essentials

Plan in 60 seconds

Reviewed 10.11.26

Bags & entry
Official venue entry guidance (opens in a new tab)
Seat maps (opens in a new tab)
Parking
Official parking & directions (opens in a new tab)Confirm the event-specific pass, garage or shuttle arrangement before driving toward Phillip Fulmer Way.
Arrive
Food City Center doors open 90 minutes before men’s basketball and 60 minutes before women’s basketball or volleyball; concerts and special events vary. Nearby basketball lots require permits, with limited paid public spaces accepting cards. Tennessee’s men’s basketball guide offers free Ag Campus parking and accessible shuttles starting two hours before tip-off and continuing two hours afterward. Regular shuttle pickup/drop-off is by Neyland Stadium Gate 9 on Phillip Fulmer Way; use the separate pedestrian route map and current accessible-shuttle instructions. Other events may use different parking.
Exact location
1600 Phillip Fulmer Way, Knoxville, TN 37996Open directions (opens in a new tab)
Getting there
The arena is on the University of Tennessee campus; use the event's current campus shuttle, pedestrian, and traffic guidance rather than an ordinary class-day assumption.
NearbyDining near Food City Center (opens in a new tab)Drinks near Food City Center (opens in a new tab)Stay near Food City Center (opens in a new tab)
Real fan takeFood I would recommend either somewhere like Stock and Barrel in Market Square.One fan's perspective. Verify variable details with official venue guidance.
Food City Center during Nate Bargatze’s May 28, 2026 performance, documented in Tennessee Athletics’ May 2026 recap. The central production and surrounding bowl are visible; this photograph does not establish an exact section, row or seat for another event.
Photo credits
Source: Food City CenterPhoto source (opens in a new tab)
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Food City Center during Nate Bargatze’s May 28, 2026 performance, documented in Tennessee Athletics’ May 2026 recap. The central production and surrounding bowl are visible; this photograph does not establish an exact section, row or seat for another event.

Showing image 1 of 3.

Home teams
Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball / Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball / Tennessee Lady Volunteers volleyball
Upcoming Events

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Check official venue information ↗
Venue details
Venue typeCollege Arena
Capacity21,678basketball seating capacity
Your visit checklist Save, copy or print

Get ready for Food City Center

1600 Phillip Fulmer Way, Knoxville, TN 37996

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Visit preparation checklist

Open your ticket and confirm the event date, door time, seat or standing area, and ticket delivery instructions.

Official venue event information (opens in a new tab)

Food City Center allows one clear bag up to 12 × 6 × 12 inches or one-gallon clear storage bag, plus a clutch or wallet up to 4.5 × 6.5 inches. Medical items require inspection; diaper supplies must fit in an approved clear bag. There is no prohibited-item storage and no re-entry. Tennessee’s men’s basketball guide identifies cashless concessions and retail. First aid is behind Sections 115 and 127, with 127 staffed for men’s basketball. The 2026–27 map prints season ticket, license and contribution amounts, not single-game prices. The fan-photo gallery uses the venue’s Thompson-Boling Arena name.

Food City Center current visit and entry guidance (opens in a new tab)Tennessee men’s basketball current gameday parking and shuttles (opens in a new tab)Tennessee 2026–27 basketball season chart (opens in a new tab)Food City Center official venue information (opens in a new tab)

Destination: Food City Center, 1600 Phillip Fulmer Way, Knoxville, TN 37996. Food City Center doors open 90 minutes before men’s basketball and 60 minutes before women’s basketball or volleyball; concerts and special events vary. Nearby basketball lots require permits, with limited paid public spaces accepting cards. Tennessee’s men’s basketball guide offers free Ag Campus parking and accessible shuttles starting two hours before tip-off and continuing two hours afterward. Regular shuttle pickup/drop-off is by Neyland Stadium Gate 9 on Phillip Fulmer Way; use the separate pedestrian route map and current accessible-shuttle instructions. Other events may use different parking. The arena is on the University of Tennessee campus; use the event's current campus shuttle, pedestrian, and traffic guidance rather than an ordinary class-day assumption. Confirm the event-specific pass, garage or shuttle arrangement before driving toward Phillip Fulmer Way.

Directions to this venue (opens in a new tab)Official parking / arrival information (opens in a new tab)

This guide does not yet establish Food City Center’s accessible seating or step-free entrance. Ask the venue about the exact seat, entrance and route before buying.

Food City Center current visit and entry guidance (opens in a new tab)Seat maps (opens in a new tab)

Food City Center allows one clear bag up to 12 × 6 × 12 inches or one-gallon clear storage bag, plus a clutch or wallet up to 4.5 × 6.5 inches. Medical items require inspection; diaper supplies must fit in an approved clear bag. There is no prohibited-item storage and no re-entry. Tennessee’s men’s basketball guide identifies cashless concessions and retail. First aid is behind Sections 115 and 127, with 127 staffed for men’s basketball. The 2026–27 map prints season ticket, license and contribution amounts, not single-game prices. The fan-photo gallery uses the venue’s Thompson-Boling Arena name.

Still to check

  • Confirm payment methods not covered above for parking, box office and concessions; the guidance may address only part of your visit.
  • Water-bottle permission, size/material limits and refill options.
Food City Center current visit and entry guidance (opens in a new tab)Tennessee men’s basketball current gameday parking and shuttles (opens in a new tab)Tennessee 2026–27 basketball season chart (opens in a new tab)Food City Center official venue information (opens in a new tab)

The arena is on the University of Tennessee campus; use the event's current campus shuttle, pedestrian, and traffic guidance rather than an ordinary class-day assumption. Confirm return service and last departures for your event’s finish time.

Plan your route home from this venue (opens in a new tab)

Checking an item records your preparation. It does not confirm a ticket, reserve a seat or guarantee admission. Saved plans do not sync between devices.

Find your section

Seating maps & views

Match the layout to your event before choosing seats. Stage position, floor seating, standing areas, and available sections can change.

Real photos from the seats

Browse Food City Center photos by section and compare the sightlines, railings, and stage views. Check the event and photo date; zoom can make the stage look closer.

The gallery uses the Thompson-Boling Arena name. Compare each photograph’s section, row, event and date with your ticket; current staging and sightlines may differ.

View seat photos on A View From My Seat (opens in a new tab)

Seating chart

Food City Center — 2026–27 men’s basketball season sections

Food City Center: Seating chart, Food City Center — 2026–27 men’s basketball season sections. Use the source chart for section and row details.

Official Tennessee 2026–27 men’s basketball chart, with numbered bowl sections, suites, loge and premium areas. Printed amounts combine season-ticket, license and contribution costs and exclude specified taxes and fees; they are not current single-game prices or inventory. Other sports and concerts can use different floor arrangements. Match your actual game and ticket.

Open original chart (opens in a new tab)Source: Tennessee Athletics (opens in a new tab)Source checked 2026-10-11

Venue layout

Food City Center — 2025–26 gates and concourse orientation

Food City Center: Venue layout, Food City Center — 2025–26 gates and concourse orientation. Use the original map for routes and visitor facilities.

Official Food City Center gate and amenity diagram dated 2025–26, showing Gates A–F, street- and floor-level entrances, restrooms and section orientation. This is an entrance/concourse plan, not an individual-seat chart. Retain the source season and follow current event signs; premium entrances require the appropriate ticket.

Open original map (opens in a new tab)Source: Tennessee Athletics (opens in a new tab)Source checked 2026-10-11

Venue layout

Food City Center — 2026 pedestrian route to postgame shuttles

Food City Center: Venue layout, Food City Center — 2026 pedestrian route to postgame shuttles. Use the original map for routes and visitor facilities.

Official pedestrian routing image linked from Tennessee men’s basketball gameday guidance, showing the walk past G10 Parking Garage toward the shuttle pickup on Phillip Fulmer Way by Neyland Stadium. This is an exterior arrival/departure plan, not a seating chart. Follow current event staff instructions and confirm the shuttle service for your actual event.

Open original map (opens in a new tab)Source: Tennessee Athletics (opens in a new tab)Source checked 2026-10-11

Plan your visit

Arrival and logisticsBefore you goTransit, parking, timing and entry details

Need to Know

Best for
Tennessee basketball and volleyball in a major-college arena setting
Watch out for
Food City Center allows one clear bag up to 12 × 6 × 12 inches or one-gallon clear storage bag, plus a clutch or wallet up to 4.5 × 6.5 inches. Medical items require inspection; diaper supplies must fit in an approved clear bag. There is no prohibited-item storage and no re-entry. Tennessee’s men’s basketball guide identifies cashless concessions and retail. First aid is behind Sections 115 and 127, with 127 staffed for men’s basketball. The 2026–27 map prints season ticket, license and contribution amounts, not single-game prices. The fan-photo gallery uses the venue’s Thompson-Boling Arena name.
Good arrival window
Food City Center doors open 90 minutes before men’s basketball and 60 minutes before women’s basketball or volleyball; concerts and special events vary. Nearby basketball lots require permits, with limited paid public spaces accepting cards. Tennessee’s men’s basketball guide offers free Ag Campus parking and accessible shuttles starting two hours before tip-off and continuing two hours afterward. Regular shuttle pickup/drop-off is by Neyland Stadium Gate 9 on Phillip Fulmer Way; use the separate pedestrian route map and current accessible-shuttle instructions. Other events may use different parking.
Main transit note
The arena is on the University of Tennessee campus; use the event's current campus shuttle, pedestrian, and traffic guidance rather than an ordinary class-day assumption.
Sources4 officialReviewed 10.11.26Sources for Need to Know

Parking At A Glance

Parking difficulty

Parking options (opens in a new tab)

High

What to do
Confirm the event-specific pass, garage or shuttle arrangement before driving toward Phillip Fulmer Way.
Best option
The university lot, garage, or shuttle option assigned on the current event information
Avoid
Driving toward Phillip Fulmer Way without the event's assigned campus pass, garage, or shuttle route
Sources4 officialReviewed 10.11.26Sources for Parking At A Glance
Seats and atmosphereChoose your experienceSightlines, supporter sections, crowd flow and event-day character

Inside the Venue At A Glance

01

Mixed

Arrival & transportation

Food City Center shares a dense athletics campus, so the correct approach and parking assignment matter before the final blocks.

02

Mixed

Seat & section strategy

Lower sidelines provide the clearest basketball geometry; volleyball and end-stage concerts require their own live map.

03

Positive

Event-day character

The arena's scale can turn a prominent Tennessee game into a loud, full-campus event.

Sources1 fan · 3 officialReviewed 10.11.26Sources for Inside the Venue At A Glance

FanProof editorial synthesis; linked fan discussions are anecdotal, not a consensus.

Fit and tradeoffsWhat to expectThe practical strengths and the details that could change your choice

Why It Works

  • ✓The arena's scale can turn a prominent Tennessee game into a loud, full-campus event.
  • ✓Lower sidelines provide the clearest basketball geometry; volleyball and end-stage concerts require their own live map.
  • ✓Tennessee basketball and volleyball in a major-college arena setting.
Sources1 fan · 1 officialReviewed 10.11.26Sources for Why It Works

FanProof editorial synthesis; linked fan discussions are anecdotal, not a consensus.

Know Before You Book

  • ×The Knoxville campus traffic plan.
  • ×Assigned parking access.
  • ×Event entrance can differ between sports and touring events.
Sources1 fan · 3 officialReviewed 10.11.26Sources for Know Before You Book

FanProof editorial synthesis; linked fan discussions are anecdotal, not a consensus.

Editorial verdict

FanProof Takeaway

Reviewed 10.11.26

Food City Center shares a dense athletics campus, so the correct approach and parking assignment matter before the final blocks. Confirm the event-specific pass, garage or shuttle arrangement before driving toward Phillip Fulmer Way. Lower sidelines provide the clearest basketball geometry; volleyball and end-stage concerts require their own live map.

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