Morgan Wallen’s Historic Two-Night Run at Neyland Stadium Draws Over 156,000 Fans

Morgan Wallen wrapped up a two-show run at Neyland Stadium, the home of the Tennessee Volunteers, on Sunday, setting the record for Knoxville’s biggest weekend ever, drawing a total of 156,161 fans over both nights.

This new tally surpasses the previous record set by The Jackson 5 with 148,407 fans across three shows in 1984.

Wallen kicked off the first of two nights on Friday, with a walk-out featuring the 2024 National Champion Tennessee Volunteers baseball team and Coach Tony Vitello, proudly holding their trophy as they entered the massive stadium, which reigns as the sixth largest college football stadium in the U.S. 

Friday’s show included surprise guest, Eric Church, who joined the current seven-time CMA Awards nominee for an acoustic rendition of “Quittin’ Time.” Plus, HARDY and ERNEST, who opened the show, returned to the stage to join Wallen for “Up Down” and “Flower Shops”/“Cowgirls,” respectively.

@thetraveladdict.com ♬ original sound – thetraveladdict

During the show, the East Tennessee native took a moment to reflect on what it meant to him to have the chance to perform at Neyland Stadium.

“I really appreciate that warm welcome, that means a lot to me. The last time I was in this stadium I was watching Tennessee kick Alabama’s ass. I can’t think of a better way to follow it up than to be here playing two sold-out shows this weekend. This is one of the most special days of my entire life and I’m very glad you guys chose to spend this weekend here with me – it means a lot,” he shared. 

Wallen went on to recognize those who helped make the show possible. 

“Before we get any further I want to make sure you make some noise for my band and crew who show up here early in advance to make sure we get to play the music y’all love. I have a lot of people here who mean a lot to me,” he added. “I’ve got my little boy here, both my grandmothers here, my mom, my dad, my sisters, my nieces. I have been very fortunate to do a lot of great things over the last few years, but I know that this right here is going to be extremely hard to top as one of the coolest things I’ve ever gotten to do. We’re gonna play a lot of songs tonight, I threw in a couple extra songs that I don’t normally play. I didn’t even ask about the curfew, so we’re just gonna play as long as we want to tonight.” 

For Sunday’s show, Wallen’s walk-out featured Two-time Super Bowl champion and former University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK) quarterback Peyton Manning, who sported his retired college uniform for the occasion, as well as current UTK football coach Josh Heupel, quarterback Nico Iamaleava, and wide receiver Bru McCoy. 

The final night’s guests were Miranda Lambertf, who joined him to perform the chart-topping hit, “Thought You Should Know,” and Darius Rucker for a rousing rendition of “Wagon Wheel.”  

@.morganlations Best surprise ever 💙💙💙 @morganwallen @Miranda Lambert #morganwallen #mirandalambert ♬ Thought You Should Know – Morgan Wallen

@laurahardyradio After driving through the Cumberland Gap to get here, this hit different. @James | Country Music ♬ original sound – 🎙Laura Hardy ✨

In preparation for his two-show run at Neyland Stadium, The Morgan Wallen Foundation donated $140k to Gibbs Youth Sports (GYS) on Friday, Sept. 20, during a press conference at the stadium. The funds will be used to renovate Ruritan Park, which serves students from Wallen’s alma mater, Gibbs High School, and the surrounding areas in Knox County. The renovations will include indoor fielding and batting facilities, complete with batting cages, machines, pitching lanes, and a fielding area—resources currently unavailable in the Gibbs/Corryton community.

Wallen has three shows left on his One Night At A Time 2024 tour, including Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium on Oct. 4 and two nights at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium on Oct. 18 and 19. V