{ "id": "2023-09-09-neyland-stadium-tennessee-austin-peay-lightning-delay", "slug": "neyland-stadium-tennessee-austin-peay-lightning-delay-2023-09-09", "institution": { "name": "University of Tennessee, Knoxville", "shortName": "Tennessee", "state": "TN", "type": "public-r1", "alertSystemName": "UT Alert", "enrollment": 36000 }, "incident": { "date": "2023-09-09", "type": "severe-storm", "cleryCategory": "advisory", "headline": "Lightning within ten miles of a stadium delays a football season opener", "headlinePublic": "Lightning within ten miles of a stadium delays a football season opener", "summary": "Lightning struck within about 10 miles of Neyland Stadium roughly 15 minutes before the scheduled kickoff of Tennessee's September 9, 2023 home opener against Austin Peay, [delaying the game from its 5 p.m. ET start](https://www.on3.com/teams/tennessee-volunteers/news/tennessee-vols-football-austin-peay-weather-delay-lightning/). Per Tennessee's protocol, the upper bowl was cleared while the [lower-bowl concourses sheltered fans](https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/how-does-ut-prepare-for-a-weather-delay-at-neyland-stadium/51-591967180), with Thompson-Boling Arena available as designated shelter.", "outcome": "Kickoff was pushed back from its 5 p.m. ET scheduled time after lightning cleared the area; Tennessee defeated Austin Peay.", "resolution": "confirmed-threat" }, "alerts": [ { "sequence": 1, "type": "initial", "timestamp": "2023-09-09T16:56:03-04:00", "channel": "twitter-x", "verbatimText": "With lightning in the area, kickoff has been delayed.\n\nFans are encouraged to shelter in place:\n\n• fans inside the stadium do not need to leave\n\n• fans outside the gates can shelter at the student union or Food City Center\n\nStay tuned for more updates", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/Vol_Football/status/1700614063586156663", "sourceDescription": "@Vol_Football on X (verbatim raw t.co)", "annotations": [ "Exact text from official @Vol_Football status 1700614063586156663" ], "characterCount": 251 }, { "sequence": 2, "type": "update", "timestamp": "2023-09-09T17:02:07-04:00", "channel": "twitter-x", "verbatimText": "Fans inside Neyland can seek shelter in the concourses", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/Vol_Football/status/1700615592850448723", "sourceDescription": "@Vol_Football on X (official, verbatim)", "annotations": [ "Exact text from official @Vol_Football status 1700615592850448723" ], "characterCount": 54 }, { "sequence": 3, "type": "update", "timestamp": "2023-09-09T17:16:18-04:00", "channel": "twitter-x", "verbatimText": "", "isVerbatimConfirmed": false, "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/Vol_Football/status/1700619159803933100", "sourceDescription": "@Vol_Football on X (verbatim raw t.co)", "annotations": [] }, { "sequence": 4, "type": "all-clear", "timestamp": "2023-09-09T17:30:00-04:00", "channel": "twitter-x", "verbatimText": "", "isVerbatimConfirmed": false, "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/Vol_Football/status/1700622607547007314", "sourceDescription": "@Vol_Football on X (verbatim raw t.co)", "annotations": [] } ], "context": "Neyland Stadium seats more than 100,000, and Tennessee's weather plan notifies fans no later than the 15-mile mark and stops or holds play when lightning is within roughly 8 to 10 miles. As [WBIR explains](https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/how-does-ut-prepare-for-a-weather-delay-at-neyland-stadium/51-591967180), the lower-bowl concourses can shelter the lower bowl, the upper bowl (except the Tennessee Terrace) must empty, and Thompson-Boling Arena is the designated shelter. On September 9, 2023, [lightning struck within 10 miles roughly 15 minutes before the 5 p.m. ET kickoff](https://www.on3.com/teams/tennessee-volunteers/news/tennessee-vols-football-austin-peay-weather-delay-lightning/) of the home opener against Austin Peay, delaying the start; [Rocky Top Insider tracked the delay in real time](https://www.rockytopinsider.com/2023/09/09/tennessee-football-in-weather-delay-against-austin-peay/) before the Vols played on to a win.", "keyFindings": [ "Tennessee notifies fans by the 15-mile lightning mark and holds play when strikes are within 8-10 miles", "The lower-bowl concourse shelters the lower bowl; the upper bowl (except the Tennessee Terrace) must empty, with Thompson-Boling Arena as designated shelter", "Lightning about 15 minutes before the 5 p.m. ET kickoff delayed the home opener against Austin Peay", "Alert text is reconstructed from press reporting, so it carries isVerbatimConfirmed: false" ], "sources": [ { "title": "Tennessee-Austin Peay kickoff time updated after weather delay - On3", "url": "https://www.on3.com/teams/tennessee-volunteers/news/tennessee-vols-football-austin-peay-weather-delay-lightning/", "type": "local-media" }, { "title": "How does UT prepare for a weather delay at Neyland Stadium? - WBIR", "url": "https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/how-does-ut-prepare-for-a-weather-delay-at-neyland-stadium/51-591967180", "type": "local-media" }, { "title": "Tennessee football in weather delay against Austin Peay - Rocky Top Insider", "url": "https://www.rockytopinsider.com/2023/09/09/tennessee-football-in-weather-delay-against-austin-peay/", "type": "local-media" }, { "title": "@Vol_Football 1700614063586156663", "url": "https://x.com/Vol_Football/status/1700614063586156663", "type": "official-social" }, { "title": "@Vol_Football 1700615592850448723", "url": "https://x.com/Vol_Football/status/1700615592850448723", "type": "official-social" }, { "title": "@Vol_Football 1700619159803933100", "url": "https://x.com/Vol_Football/status/1700619159803933100", "type": "official-social" }, { "title": "@Vol_Football 1700622607547007314", "url": "https://x.com/Vol_Football/status/1700622607547007314", "type": "official-social" } ], "confidence": "high", "tags": [ "severe-storm", "lightning", "weather-delay", "stadium", "tennessee", "game-day", "shelter-in-place" ], "dateAdded": "2026-05-28", "lastUpdated": "2026-07-20", "addedBy": "ingestion" }