Tickets, flights, where to stay
Tennessee is headed to Ohio State for the first 12-team playoffs in college football history.
The game will kick off at 8 p.m. ET Dec. 21.
If you’re heading to Columbus for the game, here’s everything you need to know about getting there, where to park, the best bites near campus and where to celebrate a (potential) Vols victory.
How long is the drive from Knoxville to Colombus?
A road trip from Knoxville to Columbus, Ohio, is absolutely doable.
The drive takes about 5 hours and 30 minutes, according to Google Maps. The 358-mile journey will take you straight up Interstate 75 through Cincinnati, then onto Interstate 71.
With a car that gets 30 miles per gallon, driving would cost $62.62 roundtrip, according to gasprices.aaa.com.
How much are plane tickets from Knoxville to Colombus?
While driving would be more economical, there are options if you want to fly to Ohio.
One-way flights from McGhee Tyson Airport to John Glenn Columbus International Airport on Friday, Dec. 20 would cost $264, according to Google Flights. Note that Knoxville has no direct flights to Columbus, so there would be at least one stop during your trip.
Plane tickets are available through both United and American Airlines.
Where to park near Ohio Stadium in Columbus
Parking can be found for Ohio State football game days in the Buckeye Lots, as well as on West Campus and High Street. All of these lots are first-come, first-served with a $25-$30 price range.
Fans parking on West Campus can use the complimentary shuttle from the Mount Hall Loop to Coffey Road Park near the edge of the Woody Hayes Bridge. The shuttle will operate from six hours prior to kickoff until one hour after the game ends, according to Ohio State University Transportation and Traffic Management.
A map of where to park at Ohio State is available at osu.campusparc.com.
Hotels near the Ohio State football stadium
There are many convenient hotels near Ohio State University and downtown Columbus. The Buckeyes are one of the giants of college football, after all.
Options include the Sonesta Columbus Downtown, Staybridge Suites, Comfort Suites, Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites and more, as recommended by Booking.com.
Ahead of the big game, hotel prices do not appear to be as inflated as in Knoxville for the weekend of Dec. 20. Hotel rooms in the area for a two-night stay, from Dec. 20 through Dec. 22, begin around $140.
Hurry up to get these deals because they could rise – quickly.
Restaurants near Ohio State to try on your visit
Ohio State University is in a bustling metro area with a diverse variety of food for fans to enjoy.
Many restaurants near Ohio State University are located on the east side of campus, along North High Street, while Ohio Stadium is on the west side.
Here are some local restaurants to check out before or after the big game. All options listed below are within walking distance of The Horseshoe.
- Adriatico’s (1618 Neil Ave.): Adriatico’s is a popular spot that serves New York-style pizza and beer. It’s the perfect place to pregame or celebrate a Tennessee win. The pizza parlor offers delicious appetizers, subs, zonis, pasta, salads and more for dine-in, takeout or delivery.
- Buckeye Donuts (1998 N. High St.): If you’re near Ohio State University, make a stop at Buckeye Donuts. You won’t regret it! Here, you can grab a regular or “fancy” donut and coffee. If you’re looking for a more savory bite, Buckeye Donuts also serves gyros and salads.
- Cazuelas Mexican Cantina (1542 and 2321 N. High St.): Looking for Mexican cuisine? Cazuelas is the place to be. It has all your classic cantina favorites, like nachos and tamales, as well as an extensive menu of alcoholic beverages and happy hour specials every day of the week.
- HangOverEasy (1646 Neil Ave.): Love Brunch? This is your boozy breakfast destination. You can order omelets, pancakes, sandwiches, shakes and more. Of course, you can also opt to get a mimosa or bloody mary.
- Savvy Sliders (2106 N. High St.): This is your classic burger joint that serves up sliders, chicken strips and custard. Note: This location does not serve any beer or alcoholic beverages.
Food and snacks at The Horseshoe
Like any stadium, Ohio Stadium has the classics, like hot dogs, soft pretzels, popcorn and nachos. But The Horseshoe also carries brand-name options and some unique eats.
Well-established restaurants Donatos, Panera, Crumbl Cookies and South of the Boarder all have kiosks in Ohio Stadium. The stadium also has a food stand called Taste of the Competition that sells “specialty burgers featuring flavors of the visiting team,” according to Ohio State Athletics.
Find all of the concession options at ohiostatebuckeyes.com.
How to buy tickets for the first-round playoff game
Tickets to a University of Tennessee playoff road game are expected to be very limited. Visiting teams in the playoff receive only 3,500 tickets, compared to 5,000 tickets for SEC road games.
Season ticket holders and donors will have the first opportunity to submit ticket requests after today. Tennessee Fund donors will be accommodated according to donor rank to purchase road playoff tickets. However, UT anticipates only 1,000 tickets being available to donors after institutional needs are met.
A very limited number of student tickets will be available.
Tickets for season ticket holders go on sale at 10 a.m. Dec. 11 through Ticketmaster. Single tickets for the general public go on sale at 10 a.m. Dec. 12 also through Ticketmaster.
Knox News reporter Adam Sparks and The Columbus Dispatch contributed to this report.
