Tennessee Football Unveils 2025 Game Times Alongside Schedule
Knoxville, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee and the Southeastern Conference (SEC) recently confirmed game times for the Volunteers’ full 2025 football slate, building on the schedule originally revealed in December.
Season Opener Highlighted on National Television
Tennessee kicks off its campaign with a marquee matchup on Saturday, Aug. 30, facing Syracuse in Atlanta’s Mercedes‑Benz Stadium as part of the high-profile Aflac Kickoff Game. The season opener is set for a prime-time kickoff on ESPN, with the exact start time expected to be around 7:30 p.m. ET—a time slot designed to maximize exposure and appeal to Vols fans nationwide.
Home Opener and Early Matchups
The Vols’ home opener is scheduled for Sept. 6, when they welcome East Tennessee State to Neyland Stadium. That game will kick off at 3 p.m. ET, ensuring an ideal early-season afternoon atmosphere. The team remains in Knoxville the following week to face SEC power Georgia on Sept. 13—marking the earliest clash between the rivals since 1995 . Time for this game will be announced later, but fans are anticipating another marquee ACCSEC showdown.
Mid-Season Outlook & Open Dates
After facing UAB at home on Sept. 20, the Vols hit the road to take on Mississippi State in Starkville on Sept. 27. Two open weekends—Oct. 4 and Nov. 8—offer built-in rest periods ahead of more intense SEC play.
Key Conference Showdowns
Homecoming arrives on Oct. 11 with Arkansas visiting Neyland. The rivalry game at Alabama on Oct. 18—the traditional “Third Saturday in October”—and the matchup with Kentucky in Lexington on Oct. 25 both promise electric atmospheres . Traditionally, the Alabama game begins in the early evening (around 6:00 p.m. CT), though official kickoff details are pending.
November Home Stretch
November will feature three of four home games for Tennessee. A major thriller awaits on Nov. 1 when Oklahoma visits Neyland for an SEC matchup, following a double-overtime classic in 2015 . The win–loss drama continues on Nov. 15, when Tennessee hosts New Mexico State for their first-ever meeting . Two weeks later, the Vols travel to Gainesville to face Florida on Nov. 22, in a unique late-November Swamp date, which echoes the only other late-season meeting back on Dec. 1, 2001 .
Closing With Rivalry Intensity
The regular season concludes on Nov. 29 with the Tennessee-Vanderbilt rivalry at Neyland Stadium. With 20 consecutive home sellouts and strong attendance (713,405 fans in 2024, ranking 6th nationally and 3rd in the SEC), the home-field advantage remains intimidating .
Looking Ahead
Finalized kickoff times for several key matchups—including Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Florida—are expected in the coming weeks. Season ticket renewals are now open at AllVols.com, and fans can also join the waiting list for available seats . With ample rest built into the schedule and a balance of high-profile opponents, Tennessee enters 2025 with excitement and realistic aspirations in a challenging SEC landscape.