Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center Seating Chart
Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center is the home of Tennessee men's and women's basketball and volleyball at 1600 Phillip Fulmer Way on the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville. It opened in the 1987-88 season, its Food City Center name was announced on August 23, 2023, and it is the third-largest on-campus basketball arena in the country. It seats 21,678, down from 24,535 before a 2007 renovation.
Quick answer
Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center seats 21,678, according to Tennessee Athletics, down from 24,535 before a 2007 renovation, per Wikipedia. Seats sit in three rings, the 100s, 200s and 300s, with 32 suites and 166 loge seats on the north side.
- Its Food City Center name was announced in August 2023.
- The men's record crowd is 25,610, against Kentucky in 1989.
- The G10 garage connects to the arena by a bridge.
- Bags must be clear, up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches.
Sections at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center has three seating rings, the 100s, 200s and 300s, with suites and loge seats on the north side. The section numbers below are read off Tennessee Athletics' gate map.
- Lower ring — sections 100 to 131
- Middle ring — sections 200 to 231, with no 202 to 207 where the suites sit
- Upper ring — sections 300 to 331, with no 302 to 308 and a few A sections
- Suites and loge — 32 suites in the north balcony with 166 loge seats below
- Clubs — a lower-level Riverside Club space and, on UT's 2023-24 map, the Harper Auto Courtside Club
Best seats at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
We found no official best-seat or bench-side guide. On UT's 2023-24 gate map, the sideline sections are 102 to 108 on one side and 118 to 124 on the other, with center court near sections 105 and 121. Sections 112 to 114 and 128 to 130 sit behind the two ends. The arena has three rings, so the 300s are the third level up, above the 200s.
Tips before you go
Doors open 90 minutes before men's basketball games and an hour before women's basketball and volleyball. Bring one clear bag up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches or a one-gallon clear bag, plus a clutch up to 4.5 by 6.5. There is no re-entry. Nearby garages include G3, G4, G10 and G16, and the G10 garage connects to the arena by a bridge at concourse level. Concert and special event parking costs $20, cards only.
How to read the Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center seating chart
The first digit tells you the ring: 100 to 131 is the lowest, 200 to 231 the middle and 300 to 331 the top. A few upper sections carry an A, such as 311A. The main gates sit at the top of the pedestrian ramps on the east and west sides.
The 32 suites are in the north balcony, with 166 loge seats right below them, so the 200s and 300s skip some numbers on that side. UT announced a Riverside Club space on the lower level for 2025-26, open to about 1,500 nearby seats.
ADA help is at the customer service window by Gate E, and street-level accessible entrances sit under sections 300 and 310. Medical bags are checked at Gate D on the east end.
Building a seating chart for an event at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
The arena's record crowds are 25,610 for a men's game against Kentucky in 1989 and 24,653 for a women's game against Connecticut in 2006. For 2025-26, UT planned a new center-hung video board, corner boards and a replacement 360-degree LED ribbon.
Hosting a private event at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center?
From dinner rounds to program rows to head tables, lay out your Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center event the way the room will actually run. The maker supports up to 500 seats and exports a print-ready PDF for the Knoxville venue's event staff.
Open the seating chart generatorFrequently asked questions
- How many seats are in Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center?
- Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center seats 21,678, according to Tennessee Athletics, down from 24,535 before a 2007 renovation, per Wikipedia. Seats sit in three rings, the 100s, 200s and 300s, with 32 suites and 166 loge seats on the north side.
- What are the best seats at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center?
- We found no official best-seat or bench-side guide. On UT's 2023-24 gate map, the sideline sections are 102 to 108 on one side and 118 to 124 on the other, with center court near sections 105 and 121. Sections 112 to 114 and 128 to 130 sit behind the two ends. The arena has three rings, so the 300s are the third level up, above the 200s.
- What sections does Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center have?
- Main sections include: Lower ring — sections 100 to 131; Middle ring — sections 200 to 231, with no 202 to 207 where the suites sit; Upper ring — sections 300 to 331, with no 302 to 308 and a few A sections. Full breakdown in the sections list above.
- Where is Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center located?
- Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center is at 1600 Phillip Fulmer Way on the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville, near the Tennessee River and just southwest of Neyland Stadium.
- How do I plan a private event at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center?
- Tennessee Athletics offers group tickets, and premium seats are handled through the Tennessee Fund. Plan the Vols game-day group's tables in our free chart maker.