A view from the third base line at the renovated Lindsey Nelson Stadium on the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville on Feb. 11, 2026. Tennessee baseball will play its first game in the newly renovated stadium on opening day against Nicholls State on Feb. 13, 2026. | Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesTerry LambertThu, February 12, 2026 at 3:40 AM UTC·2 min readWe’re now just hours away from opening day for Tennessee baseball, and Lindsey Nelson Stadium is ready. A $100 million renovation project is still being touched up ahead of Friday’s opener, but for the most part, things are ready to go. Media members got a preview of the stunning new park on Wednesday.
The project, launched in 2023, expands capacity to over 8,000 — up from the previous 4,300. The concourses have been widened, a third-level of suites have been built, along with more chair-back seating and concessions. Brand new press boxes and broadcast booths were also added, along with new LED stadium lighting.
The house that Tony Vitello built will be looked over by 34-year-old Josh Elander, who is set to embark on his first season as Tennessee’s head coach. Vitello’s long time right-hand man, Elander inherits a loaded roster and expectations that haven’t faded. Tennessee will open the season as a consensus top 15 team.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThings get going on Friday afternoon against Nicholls, which will be the first of a three-game series this weekend.
AdvertisementAdvertisement