Family Weekend Frequently Asked Questions
The information below serves to answer many of the most frequently asked questions about Family Weekend. Click on a question below for more information and explanation. If you or your family still have questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office at parents@utk.edu or (865) 974-4546.
- What events are offered during Family Weekend?
- What are the costs associated with registering for Family Weekend?
- How do I pay for Family Weekend?
- If I do not purchase football tickets, or if I purchase them outside of the Parents Association, can I still come to the tailgate before the game?
- What are the chances of being able to purchase football tickets?
- How many football tickets can I purchase through the Family Weekend Group Ticket Window?
- Can I choose my seat during the Family Weekend football game?
- Can my family sit with another family at the football game?
- Can my family bring another current UT Student with us to Family Weekend?
- How do I get my football/tailgate tickets?
- What time is the Big Orange Tailgate Party and/or football game?
- When and where is Family Weekend check-in and packet pick-up?
- What do I need to bring when I pick up my packet?
- Where is the tailgate?
- Can I get a refund for my packages?
- Who can I bring with me to Family Weekend?
Family Weekend offers your family a chance to visit campus, see your student(s), hear from University staff and officials, as well as attend seminars, a Big Orange Tailgate, and the Tennessee vs. Ohio football game. For a more detailed schedule, visit our Schedule page.
Each Family Weekend package costs $30 for parents and adult guests and $20 for UT students and children (under 12). Family Weekend registration includes
access to most programming on Friday night (see
Schedule page), a Family Weekend t-shirt, and
admission to the Big Orange Tailgate Party on
Saturday (beginning three hours prior to football
game kick-off).
Tickets to the UT vs. Ohio football game are
available for purchase through the Family Weekend
registration process. Please see the Family
Weekend Registration page for more information
on purchasing football tickets.
Parents Association members can register for Family Weekend online on a first come, first served basis. You may pay for the events using a Visa or MasterCard. The website payment process is secure and your information will be confidential and safe.
Yes. If you do not purchase football tickets, or purchase them through another means, you can still register for other Family Weekend events including the Big Orange Tailgate in Thompson-Boling Arena.
Football tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis. Registration for Family Weekend packages will begin August 5. The Parents Association works with the UT Athletics Department to offer tickets for Family Weekend, and chances of being able to purchase tickets depends upon the number of families desiring to purchase tickets.
Parents Association members can purchase up to six (6) football tickets at the time they register for Family Weekend. If you desire additional football tickets, please call the Parents Association Office at (865) 974-4546.
When you complete your Family Weekend registration and log into the Group Ticket Sales Window, your seat(s) will be automatically assigned within the block of tickets reserved for Parents Association Family Weekend. All tickets purchased in a single order (i.e. one family) will be in the same row. Seating assignments will be first-come, first-served and will progress from the bottom of the reserved section to the top based on availability in the rows.
Unfortunately, the Parents Association has no control over seating assignments at the football game. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are assigned at the time of purchase. Thus, families will be unable to arrange to sit with one another during the football game.
Yes! If the student's parents cannot attend Family Weekend, or if the student's parents are not members of the Parents Association, please call our office. We will be happy to update your membership information to allow you to register your student's friend as you register your family for Family Weekend.
Family Weekend check-in and packet pick up will be Friday, September 25 in the University Center. If your student is picking up the packet for you, he or she will need a valid UT Student ID and a copy of your registration receipt.
The time of the football game is set by the University of Tennessee (and broacasters) no later than ten (10) days prior to the date of the game. The game time is dependent on television and other scheduling variables. The time of the Big Orange Tailgate Party is dependent on the time of the football game. The Tailgate Party will start four (4) hours prior to game kick-off, and will last until one (1) hour prior to game kick-off. We will advertise both of these times heavily on the Family Weekend website as well as through email communication when they are set.
Check-in and packet-pick up will take place
on Friday, September 25 in the University Center.
Times and room assignments are being finalized
and will be published, however, check-in will
take place in the late afternoon on Friday.
Due to other events taking place in the University
Center on September 25, Family Weekend check-in
and packet pick-up cannot begin
before the advertised time (TBA). Please plan
travel accordingly.
Please bring your receipt that you will receive via email after you have completed the registration and payment process. If your student is picking up the packet for you, he/she will need a valid UT Student ID and a copy of your registration receipt.
The tailgate is in Thompson-Boling Arena, which is located between Phillip Fulmer Way and Neyland Drive, beside Neyland Stadium. You can enter Thompson-Boling Arena from the East Concourse Entrance to the Arena, directly behind the Communications Building and the Andy Holt Tower, facing Neyland Stadium.
No. Due to the fast turnaround time of the registration and payment system and the date of the event, and the non-refundability of football tickets from UT Athletics, the Parents Association is unable to issue refunds to any family.
You are welcome to bring whomever you would like with you to Family Weekend! Families often bring neighbors, grandparents, close friends, extended family, and others who are interested in visiting campus and enjoying Family Weekend. Please note that Family Weekend involves a large amount of walking as no parking areas are located immediately adjacent to the Big Orange Tailgate or Neyland Stadium. Visit the Family Weekend Parking Info section for more information on parking during Family Weekend.
Please Note: Due to the nature of processing, planning, and event coordination, the Parents Association is unable to offer refunds to any Family Weekend registrant at any time.
The Parents Association Family Weekend will take place except in the most severe weather conditions. In the event of rain, all activities will take place as scheduled, possibly in alternate locations. However, in the event of severe weather such as lightening, the Parents Association, together with the University of Tennessee may elect to delay or cancel any part of Family Weekend at any time. Due to the nature of event planning and coordination, the Parents Association will not offer any refunds, in full or in part, to any participant due to weather. For more information on the University of Tennessee's Inclement Weather Policy, please click here.