Erlanger Park to Host Tennessee Baseball Exhibitions

Chattanooga will welcome the Volunteers for two games in November to support athlete NIL funding.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Baseball

Expressive editorial sports illustration showing a baseball player in motion, capturing the energy of a collegiate exhibition game in Chattanooga. — The University of Tennessee baseball team will host two exhibition games at Chattanooga's Erlanger Park in November to generate NIL program funding. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Erlanger Park is set to host the University of Tennessee baseball team for two exhibition games against Kennesaw State on Nov. 1, 2026, and Georgia Tech on Nov. 8, 2026. These matchups are designed to raise funds for the university's Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) program.

Why it matters

The exhibitions serve as a strategic effort to generate financial support for university athletes while leveraging the strong presence of local alumni. By utilizing the $115 million venue, the events aim to bridge the gap between regional sports fans and the 2024 national championship-winning team.

The two-game series is projected to draw a combined 10,000 fans to the $115 million facility, with at least 6,000 expected for the Georgia Tech game alone. These events will cater to a local population of 13,000 University of Tennessee alumni residing within a 50-mile radius of Chattanooga.

The players

University of Tennessee

The institution is the 2024 national champion in baseball and is utilizing these exhibitions to bolster its NIL funding.

Erlanger Park

This $115 million stadium in Chattanooga serves as a multi-purpose venue hosting 175 non-baseball events annually.

The details

The Nov. 8 exhibition will feature an additional alumni gathering at the Coca-Cola Pattern Shop, with tickets including a buffet priced at $34. During the games, University of Tennessee players will engage with fans through autograph sessions and promotional appearances to bolster the event's fundraising impact.

Mid-April 2026: Erlanger Park officially opened.
Nov. 1, 2026: University of Tennessee faces Kennesaw State.
Nov. 8, 2026: University of Tennessee faces Georgia Tech.

Season Trajectory

These exhibitions extend the national prestige earned during the 2024 NCAA national championship by taking the brand directly to a regional fan base. This move solidifies the team's status as a top-tier program capable of driving significant attendance in off-season exhibition matchups.

Fans in Chattanooga can access game tickets starting at $34, which includes admission to the alumni buffet at the Coca-Cola Pattern Shop for the Nov. 8 event. These exhibitions provide a rare opportunity for local supporters to engage with the national championship-winning roster through scheduled autograph sessions.

The takeaway

These exhibitions demonstrate how major college programs are increasingly using their championship-level status to cultivate regional fan bases and secure funding. Attending these games offers fans a direct way to support athlete NIL programs while engaging with high-caliber college baseball.