The schedule is set: Smokies announce first baseball game at downtown Knoxville stadium

In the midst of the Tennessee Smokies' final season in Kodak, the Double-A Chicago Cubs affiliate released its 2025 schedule July 30, unveiling when the inaugural game will be played at its under-construction downtown Knoxville stadium.

The season begins April 4, but fans will have to wait nearly two weeks before the Smokies host a game at their new home just east of the Old City.

The first home game in downtown Knoxville is scheduled for April 15 as part of a six-game series against the Chattanooga Lookouts. The six-game approach is a model for the season and offers fans nearly a full week of games whenever the Smokies are in town.

Season tickets go on sale 10 a.m. Aug. 1. For more information about tickets, fans can call the ticket office at 865-286-2300.

Tennessee Smokies plan to exit Kodak after this baseball season

The team last played in Knoxville under the Smokies name between 1993 and 1999 before moving to Kodak. The team's former Knoxville home, Bill Meyer Stadium, was demolished in 2003.

Once the Smokies leave Kodak, the current stadium and surrounding property likely will be sold or leased for redevelopment . The expectation is the stadium would be demolished, but its fate is uncertain.

That stadium and the property are owned by the city of Sevierville (70%) and Sevier County (30%).

Doug Kirchhofer, CEO of team owner and stadium developer Boyd Sports (working in partnership with GEM Community Development Group), previously told Knox News the team's lease in Kodak is set to expire March 15.

What are the downtown Knoxville stadium features and amenities?

The new Knoxville stadium, which is yet to be named, will feature multiple suites, two party decks, residential units overlooking the field, outward-facing retail and restaurant space, a large Tennessee-shaped scoreboard, the returning Old City water tower and a concourse that's open to the public even when games are not happening.

The stadium also could host One Knoxville soccer games and concerts, as well as meetings and parties in the club area.

The team plans to rebrand to the Knoxville Smokies upon making its move.

The stadium also will feature luxury seating behind home plate, a change in plans that was approved by the Sports Authority Board in September.

How Smokies stadium will be paid (and repaid) in downtown Knoxville

While a price for the luxury seating changes was not shared at the meeting, team owner Randy Boyd is responsible for any overruns beyond the agreed-upon stadium cost established through the Sports Authority:

• Local government bonds: $65 million
• State of Tennessee grant: $13.5 million
• Investment earnings on bonds and state grant: $2.5 million
• Payment from Knoxville Smokies owner Randy Boyd: $13 million
• Loan from Randy Boyd: Up to $20 million to Knoxville's Community Development Board, transferred to Sports Authority for construction
• Total: $114 million

Sales taxes generated inside the stadium would go toward repaying the bond debt over 30 years, and government will be repaid $1 million each year by the Smokies to rent the publicly owned facility.

Money from payment in lieu of taxes, or PILOTs, related to the two adjacent residential buildings also will be used to repay the bond debt.

PILOTs transfer property to the city's Industrial Development Board, which then leases the property back to the owner in place of traditional tax payments.

This is separate from the tax increment financing district, or TIF, that would repay Boyd's $20 million loan − only after it pays for infrastructure improvements around the new stadium.

Ryan Wilusz is the growth and development editor. Phone 865-317-5138. Email ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com. Instagram @knoxscruff.

Support strong local journalism by subscribing at subscribe.knoxnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: The schedule is set: Smokies announce first baseball game at downtown Knoxville stadium