Smokies tweak stadium design to add luxury seats behind home plate and more picnic areas

Ryan Wilusz, Knoxville News Sentinel
·3 min read

The Tennessee Smokies will change up the design of some amenities in its new downtown Knoxville stadium, such as replacing an outfield grassy area with seating and adding a luxury option with table service behind the plate.

The cost of the upgrades has yet to be determined, but any construction increases would be covered by the team, led by owner Randy Boyd. Both plans were shared Sept. 26 with the Sports Authority Board, which approved them.

The board also received its monthly update on the allocation of stadium contracts to disadvantaged businesses. These business, which includes those that are Black- and woman-owned, now represent roughly $9.8 million of the $86.8 million worth of contracts awarded or in the pipeline.

That's roughly 11.3%, which is behind the goal of disadvantaged businesses representing 17% of the stadium's $113.95 million cost. A team working to recruit disadvantaged businesses said the percentage should increase once contractors hire disadvantaged businesses for smaller projects within the stadium.

About the Smokies stadium changes coming to downtown Knoxville

The stadium, located just east of the Old City, is supposed to be ready by baseball's opening day in spring 2025. Tennessee Smokies CEO Doug Kirchhoffer said during a Knoxville Chamber-sponsored luncheon he is "95% confident" that's still the case.

By adding seats to the grassy area in left field, the total number of picnic seats will increase to around 500, Kirchhofer told Knox News. This is close to what's currently offered at the stadium in Kodak and will keep the team from breaking up larger groups that wish to use the area.

Doing this work now should save the team money in the long run, Kirchhofer said.

The team also would pay for swapping out six rows of traditional behind-the-plate seating for five rows of premium seats with tables between them and enough room for in-seat service. While Kirchhofer is not committing to having in-seat ordering, the stadium will at least have the capability to offer it.

Premium seating behind home plate will reduce capacity by roughly 60 seats, but the money made from the seats should make up for it.

"If you watch a major-league game, one of the popular camera angles is over the pitcher's shoulder," Kirchhofer said. "And you will be looking at people sitting behind home plate in what look like recliners that you'd find in your living room. This is our version of that."

The seats won't recline, but they will be mesh to help keep fans cool.

An aerial rendering of the forthcoming multiuse baseball stadium east of the Old City shows some of the anticipated development planned for just outside the playing field. That includes a nine-story condo building and a $70 million apartment building made up of 233 units.
An aerial rendering of the forthcoming multiuse baseball stadium east of the Old City shows some of the anticipated development planned for just outside the playing field. That includes a nine-story condo building and a $70 million apartment building made up of 233 units.

Selling these seats as season tickets will be top priority, Kirchhofer said, but any remaining seats could go to the general public.

These changes align with the trend of minor league baseball stadiums building more hangout areas to provide different kinds of experiences. Quantity isn't as important, as more fans buy tickets for the overall entertainment experience as opposed to those who come just to watch the game.

Ryan Wilusz is a downtown growth and development reporter. Phone 865-317-5138. Email ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com. Instagram @knoxscruff. 

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Smokies change stadium to add luxury seats and more picnic areas