Only around 100 tickets are available for average UT students, and around 1,000 tickets are available for season ticket holders.
Tennessee fans are scrambling to get a ticket to watch the upcoming matchup with Ohio State in the College Football Playoffs. Getting a ticket to the playoffs is like getting a golden ticket in Charlie in the Chocolate Factory — there aren’t many out there.
The University of Tennessee Ticket Office sent an email to season ticket holders saying there were only 3,500 tickets available for Vols fans. Only about 1,000 tickets will go to season ticket holders.
The other 2,500 will go to institutional needs. A UT Athletics spokesperson said that means around 2,500 tickets will be available for players, coaches and staff. Three hundred of those tickets are for students such as band members. Once those are given out, only about 100 tickets will be left for students to grab.
So, it’s safe to say most fans will have to rely on sites like Ticketmaster and StubHub to snag a spot to watch the upcoming matchup. On ticket sites, prices start at more than $200 for upper bowl seats.
Jeff Hagood is the President of the Quarterback Club and a season ticket holder. He said he has already put in his request for tickets.
“We ordered tickets and I think I got six tickets coming. I’m like most Tennessee fans, I’m fired up,” said Hagood.
However, it won’t be his first football game in Columbus. He said he went to a game between Texas and Ohio State in 2005. He said those tickets were pricey but he thinks the upcoming Tennessee game will cost even more.
“I gotta tell you the most expensive ticket I’ve ever seen was that game. I think the Tennessee-Ohio State game will surpass that. So gonna be a bit of history. I’m excited and optimistic,” said Hagood.
He said he has high hopes for the team and the way they’ll play against Ohio State.
“I think it’s actually a good draw for us. Defense travels and we got a great defense and I think we’re a little better at quarterback. So I think our quarterback makes a play at the end of the game to win it for us,” said Hagood.
Those attending the game in Columbus who wish to spend the night will also need to spend a little extra. Four-star hotel rooms in downtown Columbus, at the time this article was published, start as low as $85 for check-in from Saturday, Dec. 21, to Sunday, Dec. 22.
