Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center: Upcoming Events

Understanding Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center

Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center is the University of Tennessee's large indoor arena on the Knoxville campus, opened in 1987 with a published basketball capacity of 21,678. Tennessee men's and women's basketball and volleyball share the building with touring concerts, commencement ceremonies, and special events, so the calendar mixes athletic competition and entertainment across the year.

The key distinction for visitors is that athletic-game arrangements and concert arrangements are not identical. The parking plan, entrance doors, floor seating, and stage location all depend on the specific event. Basketball games arrange the seating bowl around the court, while concerts install a stage and temporary floor sections that change sight lines and capacity. The published basketball number is not a promise of concert capacity or an unobstructed view from every seat, so always select your seat from the actual event map rather than a generic arena diagram.

Types of Upcoming Events

Tennessee men's basketball and women's basketball games anchor the winter calendar, drawing large crowds and delivering the arena's loudest home-court atmosphere. Both programs use the full seating bowl, and the court sits at center floor with sections numbered in a continuous ring.

Volleyball matches also call Thompson-Boling home, though the sport reconfigures the lower bowl to bring fans closer to the net. Volleyball seating and parking instructions differ from basketball, so consult the volleyball-specific guidance on game day.

Concerts bring national and regional touring artists to Knoxville, and each show builds a custom stage at one end of the arena. Floor seating appears in front of the stage, and upper-bowl sections behind the stage may be curtained or sold at a discount. Sight lines, sound quality, and the performer's layout vary by production, so the seat you loved for basketball may not work the same way for a concert.

Special events—commencement ceremonies, family shows, and community gatherings—round out the calendar and follow their own setup and access rules. Always read the event description and map before you buy.

Thompson-Boling Arena receives name tweak in partnership with Food City

See the local news report on how Food City Center became part of the arena’s name.

Thompson-Boling Arena receives name tweak in partnership with Food City

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Parking and Arrival

Parking instructions change by event type. Concert and special-event parking currently costs twenty dollars, payable by card, in adjacent lots and garages. Volleyball, by contrast, directs fans to G5, G30, and limited G10 parking rather than applying the concert charge universally. Basketball parking details appear on the university parking site and the athletics department map for each game date.

The arena address for navigation is 1600 Phillip Fulmer Way SW. The university advises allowing extra driving time and arriving at least thirty to forty-five minutes before the event, with more buffer when campus traffic is heavy—especially during football Saturdays in fall or back-to-back basketball doubleheaders.

Accessible parking exists in surrounding lots but is limited and first-come, first-served. If you need accessible parking, plan to arrive early and follow the event-specific accessible-lot map. Contact arena management ahead of time if you have questions about which lot serves your seating section and mobility needs.

Entrances, Gates, and Accessibility

Main entrance gates sit at the top of the pedestrian ramps on the east and west sides of the building. The street-level ticket office is located off Phillip Fulmer Way. Because the arena is large and your seat's location determines the most convenient gate, ask event staff or check your ticket instructions for the best entrance. Cutting across the concourse can add ten minutes of walking, so the right gate saves time and energy.

Walk-through metal detectors are used at all arena entrances, and the clear-bag limit is twelve by six by twelve inches, or a one-gallon clear resealable bag. A small clutch up to four and a half by six and a half inches is also allowed. Medical items are screened, and medical-bag checks are directed to Gate D. Diaper supplies must fit inside a permitted clear bag. Leave backpacks, large purses, and opaque totes at home or in your car.

Accessible seating and restrooms are distributed throughout the arena. Assistive listening devices can be requested from arena management with photo identification held until you return the device. Contact management early about access needs, and plan at least two weeks ahead if you require sign-language interpretation. The building also prohibits re-entry, so once you leave you cannot come back in, even with your original ticket.

Seating Maps and Choosing Your Seat

Seating maps change by event. For basketball, the bowl wraps around the court and every section faces center. Lower-level seats offer close-up action, while upper-level seats trade proximity for a wider view of plays developing across the floor. Corner and baseline sections put you near out-of-bounds scrambles; sideline sections follow the main TV angle.

For concerts, a stage occupies one end of the floor and temporary seating fills the space in front. Sections behind or beside the stage may have obstructed sight lines, partial views, or be closed entirely. Some fans prefer the energy of floor seats near the stage, while others choose lower-bowl center sections for balanced sound and a full view of lights and video. Upper-bowl seats far from the stage can feel distant, but they often cost less and avoid crowd crush at the exits.

Volleyball reconfigures the lower seating to bring fans close to the net, and specific sections are identified in the volleyball match information. Because each sport and concert uses a different map, always review the seating chart on the ticket platform before you buy. The published basketball capacity of 21,678 is not a guarantee of concert capacity or an identical experience in the same seat number.

Door Times, Concessions, and Guest Services

Door times differ by sport, and concerts often set their own schedule. A basketball game might open doors ninety minutes before tip-off to allow warm-ups and fan activities, while a concert may open doors sixty minutes before the opening act. Always use the event's published door time rather than a general assumption, and build in the thirty-to-forty-five-minute arrival window on top of doors.

Permanent concession stands and selected portable locations serve food and drinks throughout the arena. Offerings vary by event and concessionaire, so explore the concourse if you want specific items. First-aid rooms are located behind Sections 115 and 127, and the customer-service window is inside Gate E for questions about seats, lost items, or accessibility.

Concert photography rules vary by artist. Some performers allow phones and personal cameras, while others prohibit all recording devices. Check the event instructions and the artist's policy before you bring equipment, because security will enforce the published rule at the door. Smoking and vaping are prohibited inside the building.

Planning Your Visit by Event Type

If you are attending a basketball game, expect a loud, energetic crowd and use the basketball seating map to choose your section. Arrive early enough to clear security, find your seat, and soak in warm-ups. Follow the basketball parking map and confirm which gate serves your section.

If you are attending a volleyball match, consult the volleyball-specific parking guidance for G5, G30, and G10 lots, and check the volleyball seating chart. Volleyball crowds are smaller but passionate, and the reconfigured seating brings you closer to the action than a basketball setup would.

If you are attending a concert, review the stage location and seating map carefully. Decide whether you want floor energy, lower-bowl balance, or upper-bowl value. Pay the twenty-dollar parking fee by card, confirm the concert door time, and check the artist's camera and bag rules. Concerts often sell out or shift on-sale dates, so buy early and choose your exact seat rather than relying on general admission or a surprise upgrade.

For all event types, the arena's size and the campus setting mean you should budget extra time, follow the specific instructions on your ticket, and ask staff if you are unsure which entrance or lot to use.

Before you head out

Questions, answered