According to Ticket Data, Tennessee Fans Will Overrun Ohio State for Their CFP Home Game

As the College Football Playoff (CFP) race intensifies and the nation eagerly awaits the final selection for the four coveted playoff spots, one thing is already crystal clear—Tennessee fans will be a dominant presence at the upcoming CFP game, possibly even outnumbering Ohio State fans when the Buckeyes host the Volunteers in their postseason showdown. According to recent ticket data, Tennessee fans are not only securing their seats at an alarming rate, but they are also traveling to Ohio in droves, eager to support their team in a historic, high-stakes clash.

The Path to the Playoff: A Tale of Two Teams

Before diving into the ticket data, it’s essential to understand how Tennessee and Ohio State arrived at this point in the season. The Vols’ 2023 campaign has been nothing short of exceptional. Behind head coach Josh Heupel’s high-flying offense, Tennessee surged through the regular season, racking up impressive wins and securing a spot in the playoff conversation. The Volunteers’ potent offense, led by quarterback Joe Milton III, has made them a formidable team in college football, while their defense, though occasionally inconsistent, has risen to the occasion in critical moments.

On the other side of the equation is Ohio State, led by head coach Ryan Day. The Buckeyes have long been a powerhouse in college football, with a storied program, a massive fanbase, and a history of playoff appearances. Ohio State’s combination of athleticism and coaching has made them perennial CFP contenders, and their journey to this point has been marked by dominant victories and hard-fought battles against top-tier teams.

Despite their success, Ohio State’s road to the playoffs in 2023 has been more challenging than in past years. In particular, their loss to Michigan in a highly anticipated rivalry game has forced the Buckeyes to rely on their strong regular-season resume and their status as one of the top teams in the country. This situation has opened the door for other teams like Tennessee to capitalize on their momentum and potentially claim a spot in the CFP.

Ticket Data Reveals Surprising Trends

The College Football Playoff is not just a contest of talent on the field—it is also an event that attracts legions of fans from across the country, all eager to see their teams compete on the biggest stage in college football. Fans will not only pack stadiums but will also flood the secondary market for tickets, leading to a surge in ticket sales across various platforms. It is in these secondary markets that ticket data provides a fascinating glimpse into the shifting landscape of the CFP.

According to the latest data from popular ticket platforms like StubHub, Vivid Seats, and SeatGeek, Tennessee fans have been aggressively purchasing tickets to the Ohio State-hosted CFP game. While it’s not unusual for the fanbases of successful teams to travel in large numbers, the scale at which Tennessee supporters are flooding into Ohio has taken many by surprise.

Several factors contribute to this trend. For one, Tennessee fans are eager to see their team in the playoff for the first time in years, and many are seizing the opportunity to experience the thrill of postseason football. With Ohio State having a larger, more established fanbase, it would normally be expected that they would dominate ticket sales in their home state. However, the numbers indicate a different story.

In fact, ticket sales data suggests that the Volunteer faithful are making up an unexpectedly high percentage of the total ticket sales for the game, far surpassing initial expectations. Early data shows that around 60% of the available tickets on resale platforms have been snapped up by Tennessee fans. This represents a significant deviation from the typical 50/50 split seen in many high-profile postseason matchups. This is particularly remarkable given that the game is being played in Ohio State’s home stadium, the iconic Ohio Stadium, which typically sees an overwhelming home crowd in these kinds of postseason contests.

Why Are Tennessee Fans Traveling in Droves?

Several key factors can explain why Tennessee fans are making the journey to Ohio in such large numbers. First, Tennessee’s program has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years, and the excitement surrounding the Volunteers’ potential playoff berth is palpable. Tennessee has been one of the most entertaining teams in college football, with a dynamic offense and a thrilling style of play. The Volunteers’ resurgence after years of mediocrity has reinvigorated their fanbase, and many are eager to see their team compete for a national championship.

Second, the rise of Tennessee football under Josh Heupel has coincided with a broader cultural shift in college football. More fans are traveling to postseason games, not just for the spectacle, but for the opportunity to be part of a historic moment in their team’s legacy. For many Tennessee fans, this is an unprecedented opportunity to witness their team’s first-ever CFP appearance. As a result, they are making the financial commitment to travel to Ohio, securing tickets early, and booking accommodations in the hopes of witnessing Tennessee’s first-ever national title in the modern era.

Another factor driving Tennessee fans to Ohio is the sheer number of Vols alumni who still call the Midwest home. While Tennessee is known for its strong presence in the Southeastern United States, many alumni from the state attend school at the University of Tennessee and later relocate to cities across Ohio and the surrounding regions. These alumni have remained dedicated to their team, and they are more than willing to travel back to Ohio to see the Volunteers play in a high-stakes playoff game.

Moreover, Tennessee fans are known for their passionate and loyal following. The Vols have one of the most dedicated fanbases in college football, and when their team reaches the playoffs, that passion only intensifies. Volunteers fans are accustomed to supporting their team, whether that means traveling to distant bowl games, attending home games in droves, or showing up in impressive numbers at neutral-site contests. The drive to support the team in Ohio is no different.

The Effect on Ohio State’s Fanbase

While Tennessee fans are quickly becoming the dominant presence in the ticket market, Ohio State fans are still well represented, though their numbers may not be as overwhelming as in past seasons. The Buckeyes, after all, are used to playing at home and drawing large crowds at Ohio Stadium. But with Tennessee fans flooding into the secondary market, Ohio State supporters may find themselves in a situation where they are no longer the majority in their own stadium.

The question then arises: How will Ohio State fans react to this shift in the fanbase dynamics? Will they allow Tennessee’s passionate fanbase to take over the stadium, or will they rally and ensure that their home turf remains firmly in their control? The answer to this question may not only shape the atmosphere at Ohio Stadium on game day but could also have an impact on the players’ mindset as they take the field.

In many cases, a loud, supportive home crowd can provide a significant advantage to the home team. But in the case of Ohio State, a team accustomed to postseason play, the effect of an overwhelming presence of Tennessee fans might serve as extra motivation rather than a hindrance. It will be fascinating to see how the Buckeyes react to the surge in opposing fan support and whether they can use it as fuel to perform at their highest level.

The Economics of Ticket Resale

Beyond the fandom and the excitement surrounding the game, the ticket resale market is a major driver of this shift. As the demand for tickets increases, prices can soar to astronomical levels, which in turn incentivizes fans to make their purchase early, hoping to secure a seat at a reasonable price before the market becomes flooded with resellers.

This spike in ticket prices is especially noticeable on secondary markets, where tickets for the CFP game have been selling for premium prices. While Ohio State fans traditionally make up the bulk of ticket sales for games hosted at Ohio Stadium, the influx of Tennessee fans is driving up the market price, as resale tickets bought by Volunteer fans are quickly snatched up by other Tennessee supporters looking to secure a spot in the stadium. This increase in ticket prices further underscores the enthusiastic demand from Tennessee’s fanbase.