It will be the first ever meeting.
A non-conference matchup has been scheduled for the 2027 season, giving the Tennessee Volunteers three non-league games on the current slate. Tennessee and Tennessee State will meet at Neyland Stadium in 2027, which will be the first ever meeting for the two in-state schools.
The Tennessean was first to report the agreement.
NEW: Tennessee and Tennessee State will meet for the first time ever in football in 2027.
The game is scheduled to be played in Neyland Stadium, but TSU leadership wants the game moved to the new Nissan Stadium, which opens in February 2027. pic.twitter.com/vGnunphOyO
— Tucker Harlin (@TuckerHarlin) July 21, 2025
One interesting note here — Tennessee State wants the game moved to Nissan Stadium. The new Nashville stadium will open ahead of the 2027 season, and Tennessee will be sure to play plenty in the new venue over the next decade. But will that happen here? The reported contract reveals that Tennessee will pay Tennessee State $600,000 for the game.
Tennessee State joins Georgia Tech and Western Michigan on the 2027 schedule. Each of those games are currently scheduled to happen at Neyland Stadium. That could be all Tennessee needs for the 2027 season with the SEC potentially moving to a nine game conference schedule down the road.
Tennessee State went 9-4 last season under Eddie George, who has since moved on to Bowling Green. The Tigers then went to the UFL ranks and hired Reggie Barlow, who was the head coach of the DC Defenders.