How Important “Battle At Bristol” Is For Virginia Tech and Tennesse

Oct 14, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; A general view of a car with a logo displaying the date of a football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Virginia Tech Hokies on Sep. 10, 2016 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

The Battle At Bristol has been made official. Tennessee will host Virginia Tech on September 10th, 2016.  The game has been in the works for nearly 20 years, and it is finally going to happen. It is expected to be one of the most memorable sports games of all the time. The teams will meet at Bristol race track which is made up of all asphalt. The field will be placed in the middle of the track as shown below.

Oct 14, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; A general view of a mockup of Bristol Motor Speedway before the announcement that the Tennessee Volunteers and Virginia Tech Hokies will play a football game on Sep. 10, 2016 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Just how much revenue might this game bring in for both Virginia Tech and Tennessee? Well, when VT took on Alabama in the Chik-Fil-A- Kick off game, they brought in $2.5 million each. What they are projecting for the game at Bristol is almost double of the Alabama game. Virginia Tech and Tennessee are projected to each bring in $4.3 million or more.

Just how could they bring in this much money you might ask? A sell-out at Bristol would be 141,000 people. This would go down in history in college sports in terms of people attending the game. The location of the game is perfect for fans of both schools. The speedway is 110 miles away from the University of Tennessee, and 125 miles from Virginia Tech. This allows supporters of both teams to  come out to the game, and be apart of the special event. The Battle At Bristol is going to be a football game that will be remembered for a long time, as this is will be the first football game played in a race track.