HBCU football games played in NFL stadiums are usually reserved for big-time classics and the Celebration Bowl, the defacto HBCU national championship game, unless you’re Tennessee State University, whose football program plays its home games at Nissan Stadium, the home of the Tennessee Titans of the NFL. TSU has played home games at Nissan Stadium since 1999 after moving them from its 15,000-seat on-campus stadium known as “the hole.”
Coming into the 2024 season the Tennessee Titans are building the new $2.1 billion Nissan Stadium on the east side of the current stadium campus, and that construction will affect all five of Tennessee State’s home football games, including the John Merritt Classic against fellow HBCU Mississippi Valley State University.
The Tennessee State University Board of Trustees has drafted a “Master Plan” that includes a partnership for a new on-campus stadium along with several new athletic facilities, indicating that Tennessee State football may return to campus sometime in the future.
The new Nissan stadium is slated to be ready for the start of the 2027 NFL season. Below is a press release from the University detailing the changes that the construction will have on the 2024 Tennessee State football season.
Courtesy of Tennessee State Athletics
NASHVILLE – Tennessee State football fans gearing up for the fall season at Nissan Stadium should prepare for a lineup of changes as construction of the new Titans Stadium alters the 2024 gameday experience.
The Tigers will host all five home games at Nissan Stadium this year, including marquee matchups like the John Merritt Classic and Homecoming. However, with limited parking due to ongoing construction, officials advise fans to consider ride-share drop-offs as a convenient alternative.
Tailgating will be centralized in lot R, promising a vibrant pre-game atmosphere despite the adjustments. For smooth entry, stadium authorities recommend utilizing gate six, designated as the optimal entrance for home games.
Fans can expect to find themselves back on the home side of Nissan stadium this season. Fans who have had season tickets in the past can expect to be in the same seat location, just on the opposite side.