7 College Stadiums That Are Secretly Built on Historic Battlegrounds

The University of Tennessee's Neyland Stadium

Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, is situated near the site of the Battle of Fort Sanders, a key engagement during the Civil War's Knoxville Campaign. In November 1863, Union forces successfully defended the fort against a Confederate assault, securing East Tennessee for the Union. The stadium's proximity to this historic battlefield underscores the strategic importance of Knoxville during the war. As fans gather to cheer on the Volunteers, they stand near a site where soldiers once fought for control of the region, connecting the present-day excitement of college football with the historical significance of past conflicts.