Tennessee football cancels Vol Walk before Furman game. Here's why

Tennessee canceled the first Vol Walk of the 2026 football season due to inclement weather, the program team on Sept. 5 before the Vols host Furman in Week 1.

Heavy thunderstorms were expected to pass over Neyland Stadium during the 1 p.m. hour, right when the UT players and coaches were scheduled to greet fans on their way into the stadium.

pic.twitter.com/uxJ7HCAmuD

— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) September 5, 2026

UT opens the 2026 season against Furman at 3:30 p.m. (ESPN+/SEC Network+).

Conditions are forecasted to remain dry throughout most of the afternoon, but more thunderstorms are expected closer to the end of the game, beginning around 6 p.m.

The Vol Walk has been a Tennessee football tradition since 1990, when the Vols hosted Alabama on Oct. 20. A new route being introduced this season will take players and coaches from the Torchbearer Statue in Circle Park, down Volunteer Boulevard to Peyton Manning Way, then into Neyland Stadium via Gate 21A on Phillip Fulmer Way.

Stephen Thompson covers Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball. Email him at stephen.thompson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @stephenethom.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football cancels Vol Walk before Furman game. Here's why