With the College Football Playoff debut on the horizon for Tennessee, there’s a buzz of anticipation and bargain hunting as ticket prices experience a bit of a tumble. The fans, fondly tossing on their Tennessee Orange, are rallying comrades to join them for a historic face-off against Ohio State; according to WATE, tickets that originally soared over the $200 mark now earn up to $70 lighter, depending on their stadium vicinity. The opportunity and dropping prices seemingly turn Ohio Stadium into a magnet for the 'Volunteer' state devotees.
The plummet in ticket prices is not the only factor driving Tennesseans northward. "It’s pretty awesome man, I just want to turn that place orange. That’s what makes this so possible. It’s a playoff game so it’s the biggest game we’ve had on the field in a long, long time for Tennessee," Austin Brown enthusiastically stated, per WATE. Brown adds, "The fact that for a road playoff game, this is actually pretty close." The hope among fans is to recreate the astonishing takeover seen a few years ago at an LSU game, turning the opponent's turf into a sea of their colors.
Meanwhile, according to WBIR, the narrative is backed by numbers from StubHub, stating a 35% higher ticket sale volume compared to another competitive game this season and that Tennessee buyers represent 37% of total sales. "This game in particular has sold the most tickets of any College Football Playoff for this first round across all leagues," StubHub spokesperson Joseph Bocanegra mentioned, highlighting the surge of ticket purchases by Tennessee fans.
It is not just statistics that hint at a potential 'orange invasion.' StubHub reports selling more tickets to Tennesseans than Buckeyes, as reported by The Leaf Chronicle. It appears that if the Ohio State athletic director's message to sell tickets to the "rabid" Vols fans in no way is anything to go by, Columbus could well be witnessing a rather peachy hue come game day. That's right, an influx of optimism, ticket sales, and fan fervor could dye The Shoe Volunteer Orange.
For those straddling the fence, the fans have a clear message. "If it’s at all possible for you to make it to the game, I guarantee you it’s going to be worth your time and your money," said Vol fan Alex in a conversation with WATE. For internet-savvy deal seekers, Bocanegra offers a slice of wisdom: buy from trusted platforms to avoid glitches and beware of shady resellers. The stage is set, the players are ready, and the fans are chomping at the bit for what could be a memorable game and a memorable takeover of Ohio Stadium.
