Big Crowd Expected as Tennessee Faces Illinois in Music City Bowl
There is already a strong buzz building around the Music City Bowl, and it is being reflected clearly in the ticket numbers. As of now, around 50,000 tickets have already been sold for Tennessee’s matchup against Illinois, and that number alone is enough to suggest that Nissan Stadium will be rocking once again. With kickoff scheduled for December 30 and a national ESPN broadcast set for the late afternoon, the stage is being set for one of the most well-attended bowl games of the season.
The Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl has a long history of drawing big crowds, especially when Tennessee is involved. It has been noted that the Vols’ last three appearances in this bowl game averaged more than 68,000 fans, which is an impressive figure by any standard. Given that Nissan Stadium holds just over 69,000 people, it is not unrealistic to expect a near sellout by the time kickoff arrives. Bowl organizers have already expressed confidence that a large turnout will be seen, especially with Tennessee ranked No. 23 and playing just a short drive from campus.
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Comparisons to recent years only make the current situation more interesting. Last season’s Music City Bowl, featuring Missouri and Iowa, drew just over 43,000 fans. That makes this year’s early total of 50,000 tickets sold stand out even more. When Tennessee fans show up, they tend to show up in a big way. That trend has been proven time and again, including the unforgettable 2021 game against Purdue, which drew nearly 69,500 fans and became one of the largest crowds in the bowl’s history.
Other memorable moments include the 2016 matchup against Nebraska and the 2010 game against North Carolina, both of which filled Nissan Stadium to capacity. Those games were not just well-attended, they helped define the Music City Bowl as a marquee destination when the Vols are involved.
This enthusiasm is not surprising when recent attendance figures are considered. Tennessee averaged more than 101,000 fans per home game at Neyland Stadium this season, while Illinois averaged nearly 55,000 at its home games. With both fan bases traveling well and Nashville offering a bowl-friendly atmosphere, all signs are pointing toward another electric environment.
As the final tickets continue to be snapped up, it is becoming increasingly clear that this year’s Music City Bowl will feel less like a neutral-site game and more like a major event. A packed stadium, national attention, and a passionate Tennessee crowd are all expected to combine for a memorable night of college football.
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