NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As a new era of Vanderbilt football begins, Vanderbilt Athletics is pleased to outline several changes to the game day experience for fans during the upcoming season.
Whether coming to Vanderbilt Stadium for the opening game against East Tennessee State on Sept. 4 or any of seven home games this season, Commodore Nation will benefit from additions and enhancements across all facets of the visitor experience.
Revamped Vandyville: The game day experience begins long before fans take their seats inside the stadium. We’ve added live music and food trucks to the Vandyville experience. Located outside the stadium along Natchez Trace, Vandyville will feature close to 90 tailgating tents, food trucks and up to three stages of live music as only Nashville can provide it.
- Puckett’s Stage: Located on Dudley Court, just off Natchez Trace, Vandyville’s main stage will feature live music beginning two hours prior to kick off. Here you’ll also find food trucks, common seating and a videoboard to catch key college football action.
- Black and Gold Stage: Located at the intersection of Vanderbilt Place, Natchez Trace and 28th Avenue, this stage will feature the pregame Tailgate Radio Show hosted by Kevin Ingram and Norman Jordan, followed by live music leading up to kickoff.
- Singer-Songwriter Stage: No place has more rising talent than Nashville, and fans will hear up and coming artists and familiar local favorites for up to two hours prior to kickoff. Find it on Natchez Trace between the Max Nance Kids’ Zone and Children’s Way.
Fans interested in learning more about renting a tent in Vandyville can fill out an application.
Star Walk path: Due to popular demand, this game day tradition is expanding in 2021. The team will exit the practice field gates and proceed onto Natchez Trace approximately one hour prior to kickoff. They will turn down Jess Neely Drive and into the tunnel entrance. This adjustment will allow more fans to participate and send the team into the stadium with even louder and prouder support. This expansion also replaces the event previously known as Dore Alley.
New home for Kids’ Zone: The Max Nance Kids’ Zone is moving to Vanderbilt’s outdoor track and field complex, conveniently located off Natchez Trace. Entry and all activities remain free. Kids can play on the inflatables, have their faces painted, play games, make arts and crafts, enter to win prizes and more. Fans will enter and exit the facility via the rolling gate on Natchez Trace. The Kids Zone closes at kick off.
Spirit tailgate visits: The band and spirit squads will move throughout Vandyville leading up to kick off, playing pop-up performances throughout the lots. Locations where fans can find them include Puckett’s Stage, Children’s Way, Kids’ Zone and Star Walk.
Once in the stadium, fans will continue to see additions and enhancements to their experience.
New and improved concessions: A collaboration with Vanderbilt Campus Dining will provide fans with new food, drink and service options, including offerings that represent Nashville.
The “Craft & Draft” stand and “End Zone Market” stations will provide local craft beverages to fans, while self-service fountain stations featuring Pepsi products will provide free refills to decrease time spent in concession lines.
Additionally, local and regional vendors have partnered with Vanderbilt Athletics for the upcoming season, including Slim & Husky’s, Daddy’s Dogs, Conecuh Sausage, IceCrown, Kernels Nashville Popcorn, Community Coffee, Puckett’s, Chick-fil-A Rivergate and Corner Pub.
Patrons will be able to place orders from their seats on mobile devices for quick pick-up at the nearest concession stand. Alerts will be sent when an order is ready. All payment transactions will be cashless, whether mobile or otherwise. Vendors will only accept cards for payment.
New in-game enhancements: As fan experience efforts expand, even the action in the stadium will look and sound bolder and brighter this season.
- Videoboard layout: An investment in technology brings a clean look and feel to the stadium videoboard. The board will be a source of entertainment and information.
- Pyrotechnics: New in 2021, pyrotechnics will be part of the game day experience regardless of kickoff time.
- Team entrance: New on-field enhancements will greet the Commodores when they take the field this season in new uniforms sporting a clean, classic look.
Allow us to reintroduce ourselves.
Team 1⃣ dressed. Ready for Sept. 4.#AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/zrrPIz0hab
— Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) August 9, 2021
Vanderbilt is also making it easier than ever this season for fans to purchase and collect tickets, while also expanding the seating options and experiences available inside the stadium.
Digital ticketing: As previously announced, Vanderbilt Athletics has moved to digital ticketing. Fans can access their tickets from their phones and are encouraged to download tickets before arriving to the stadium to ensure they are easily accessible. Once downloaded, cell phone service and Wi-Fi are not needed. To learn more please visit our mobile ticketing guide. For additional needs, the McGugin ticket office opens three hours prior to kickoff, and general will call will be located at Gate 3 of Vanderbilt Stadium.
North end zone premium seating: As previously announced, new premium seating is available this season. Located in the north end zone, these seats bring Vanderbilt fans closer to the action than ever before. Loge boxes and individual seats are available and feature numerous amenities. Find out more about Vanderbilt’s newest seats in our premium seating guide.
More flexible ticketing options: Season tickets, single-game tickets, group tickets, mini-plans and more offer fans value for the experience that fits their needs.
- Puckett’s Four-Pack: New for the opener against East Tennessee State, fans who purchase four single-game tickets receive a $10 Puckett’s gift card. Offer good while supplies last.
Updated season ticket benefits: Season ticket holders receive numerous benefits, including a discount at the official online store of the Vanderbilt Commodores, exclusive giveaways, access to ticket sales and special offers before the general public and much more.
Ticket donation program: Through their Vanderbilt account, season ticket holders are able to donate any unused ticket to Vet Tix, Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee or Turner’s Heroes. Find out more about Vanderbilt’s ticket donation program.
Vanderbilt is committed to ensuring that coming and going doesn’t detract from the game day experience. Parking lots will open at 8 a.m. (7 a.m. for 11 a.m. kickoffs), and fans will find updated signage and graphics, including wayfaring maps inside and outside Vanderbilt Stadium.
The following road closures are updated for the 2021 season.
- Natchez Trace: Seven hours prior to kick off until two hours after the game ends.
- Jess Neely Drive: Seven hours prior to kick off, reopening at the discretion of the Vanderbilt University Police Department.
