Thompson–Boling Arena
Thompson–Boling Arena is a basketball arena in Knoxville, Tennessee, home of the Tennessee Volunteers (SEC, NCAA Division I). It opened in 1987, making it 39 years old in 2026 and seats 21,678 for basketball. That makes it the 4th-largest arena in D-I and the biggest in the SEC.
Its record crowd is 25,610 vs. Kentucky (1989). The closest NBA arena is State Farm Arena in Atlanta, about 151 miles away.
Arena facts
- Location
- Knoxville, Tennessee
- Home of
- Tennessee Volunteers
- School
- University of Tennessee
- Conference
- SEC
- Opened
- 1987
- Capacity
- 21,678
- Record crowd
- 25,610 vs. Kentucky (1989)
- Also home to
- Tennessee Lady Vols basketball
Tennessee volleyball - Size rank in D-I
- 4th of 360
Famous games at Thompson–Boling Arena
- Jan. 21, 1989: A record 25,610 fans, then the SEC regular-season mark, packed the arena for Tennessee's game against Kentucky.
- April 1, 1990: Stanford beat Auburn 88-81 to win the Women's Final Four in Knoxville before a then-record women's crowd of more than 20,000.
- Jan. 7, 2006: The Lady Vols and UConn drew 24,653, the largest regular-season crowd in NCAA women's basketball history.
- Feb. 5, 2009: Pat Summitt earned her 1,000th career win as the Lady Vols beat Georgia 73-43.
- Feb. 15, 2023: No. 10 Tennessee beat No. 1 Alabama 68-59 before a sellout of 21,678, forcing 19 turnovers.
Seating & views at Thompson–Boling Arena
Now branded Food City Center, the arena seats 21,678 for basketball, down from 24,535 when it opened as the country's largest purpose-built basketball arena. The 2007 renovation added black seats, a center-hung scoreboard, luxury suites and loge seating. The court is named The Summitt for Pat Summitt and has orange-and-white checkerboard baselines. Students in the Rocky Top Rowdies enter through Gate A.
Parking & tailgating at Thompson–Boling Arena
Lots around the arena are permit-only for donors, including the G10, G16, G17 and G11 Lake Avenue garages, Circle Park and Lot 30A. Limited public parking is card-only and first come, first served. Free parking on the AG Campus off River Drive has shuttles from two hours before tip until two hours after. Accessible parking is in Lot 65/66 or CC1. Lots open at 4 p.m. on weekdays. The venue is cashless.
Plan your trip to Thompson–Boling Arena
Arenas near Thompson–Boling Arena10
- 1D-IListon B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center — Western Carolina Catamounts 68 mi
- 2D-IKimmel Arena — UNC Asheville Bulldogs 84 mi
- 3D-IHooper Eblen Center — Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles 87 mi
- 4D-IFreedom Hall Civic Center — East Tennessee State Buccaneers 88 mi
- 5D-IMcKenzie Arena — Chattanooga Mocs 98 mi
- 6D-ILittlejohn Coliseum — Clemson Tigers 109 mi
- 7D-ITimmons Arena — Furman Paladins 117 mi
- 8D-IBaptist Health Arena — Eastern Kentucky Colonels 124 mi
- 9D-IGeorge M. Holmes Convocation Center — Appalachian State Mountaineers 129 mi
- 10D-IG. B. Hodge Center — USC Upstate Spartans 136 mi
Questions about Thompson–Boling Arena
Where do the Tennessee Volunteers play home games?
The Tennessee Volunteers play at Thompson–Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee.
How many people does Thompson–Boling Arena hold?
Thompson–Boling Arena seats 21,678 for basketball.
When did Thompson–Boling Arena open?
Thompson–Boling Arena opened in 1987.
What is the attendance record at Thompson–Boling Arena?
The record crowd at Thompson–Boling Arena is 25,610 vs. Kentucky (1989).
What other arenas are near Thompson–Boling Arena?
Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center in Cullowhee is about 68 miles away. See the full list of nearby arenas on this page.
Facts are for the 2026–27 season. Distances are straight-line miles between city centers. Capacity figures vary by source. See something wrong? Let us know. Is this your arena? Get the “Listed on Hoops Arenas” badge for your website.