League: NCAAF Sport: College Sports Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

USA TODAY ranks the University of Tennessee in top ten for fans

2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 1, 2026, 9:04 AM

Last updated Sep 1, 2026

USA TODAY ranks the University of Tennessee in top ten for fans

Summary

The University of Tennessee earned the No. 10 spot in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for best colleges for sports fans. This placement marks a drop of six positions from the university’s No. 4 ranking in 2025. The recognition highlights several enduring campus traditions, including the Vol Navy, Checker Neyland, and the pre-game Vol Walk. The football team is currently preparing for its season home opener against Furman University on September 5. Additional traditions noted by the publication include the band performing the Power T formation and the singing of Rocky Top following touchdowns. The Volunteers are scheduled to hold their annual Checker Neyland event during the upcoming game against the Texas Longhorns on September 26.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•The University of Tennessee ranks tenth in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
•The Vol Navy tradition enters its 64th year of sailgating on the Tennessee River.
•The football team plays its home opener against Furman University on September 5.
•The annual Checker Neyland game against the Texas Longhorns is scheduled for September 26.
•The university previously held the No. 4 spot in the 2025 iteration of the rankings.

Latest Updates

9:04 AMYahoo Sports — Tennessee named a top 10 college for sports fans by USA TODAY

What they're saying

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Tennessee ranked in two of USA TODAY's 2025 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. See where it landed and which Tennessee football traditions helped put Knoxville on the list.
— Yahoo Sports

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