Tennessee Athletics and Pilot announce 20-year Neyland Stadium sponsorship deal

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — University of Tennessee Athletics and Pilot have inked a sponsorship deal that will preserve the name of Neyland Stadium while making the Knoxville-based company the presenting sponsor of its renovation and adding signage around the stadium.

For at least the next 20 years, Pilot will be the official travel stop of Tennessee Athletics. Pilot is also the presenting sponsor of the multiyear Neyland Stadium renovation project , which is set to be completed by the fall of 2026. While the deal will not change the names of Neyland Stadium and Shields-Watkins Field, the stadium as a whole will be known as Neyland Stadium. Home of the Vols. Proudly preserved by Pilot.

New signage on the east side of Neyland Stadium will feature a return of the iconic “Home of the Vols” along with Pilot’s logo. Pilot’s branding will also be on each side of Shields-Watkins field and in sponsored content with Tennessee Athletics and the Vol Network.

Fans can expect to see the new signage and Pilot branding around the stadium when the 2024 football season kicks off on Aug. 31 against Chattanooga.

Neyland Stadium has undergone a major transformation since 2022 . New additions include the new chairback seat section and lower west club , a new LED light system, a video board with party deck space in the north upper deck , as well as the return of the iconic V-O-L-S lettering on the south end of the stadium.

The 2024 season is also expected to be the first year of stadium-wide Wi-Fi connectivity. Installation began ahead of the 2023 season at the gates and plazas to make the digital ticketing process more efficient.

Other upgrades for 2024 include a new Gate 4 entry plaza and the addition of southeast elevators vertically connecting all concourses. There will also be a Pilot-sponsored refreshment and snack stand located inside the main stadium entrance at Gate 21.

It marks the second major sponsorship deal for a Tennessee Athletics venue in the last year. In 2023, the university signed a 10-year, $20-million agreement to rename the home of Tennessee basketball and volleyball to Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center.

“Because we were committed to preserving the name of Neyland Stadium, finding a partner who shared this vision was essential. With deep roots here in Knoxville, Pilot recognizes the significance of Neyland and the importance of tradition to our fans and the university,” said Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White. “Our focus continues to preserve and honor our storied past while modernizing to ensure we lead the way in college sports.”

With over 2,500 employees in the Knoxville area, Pilot is one of the largest employers in East Tennessee.

“Neyland Stadium is one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world and UT is a significant part of making Knoxville a special place that Pilot is proud to call home,” said Pilot CEO Adam Wright. “Through this partnership, we will preserve the legacy of Neyland while also investing in its future to create exceptional experiences for generations to come. We look forward to seeing you out here as we cheer on the Vols in Neyland.”

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