Image Source: Knoxville News Sentinel
Furman vs Tennessee comes with a notable financial detail: Tennessee football is paying Furman $500,000 to play at Neyland Stadium on Sept. 5, 2026. The payment is part of a long-standing contract between the programs and will be made within 60 days of the game.
The matchup marks Tennessee’s season opener and gives the 18th-ranked Volunteers a chance to begin the 2026 campaign at home. Furman entered the game with a 1-0 record, while Tennessee prepared for its first contest under the spotlight of a packed Neyland Stadium.
Furman vs Tennessee payout revealed
According to contract details reported by the Knoxville News Sentinel, Tennessee must pay Furman the full $500,000 guarantee. The original agreement was signed in 2016 by Furman athletics director Mike Buddie and then-Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart.
Buddie, a former Major League Baseball pitcher, has since become the athletic director at TCU. The contract originally called for the game to be played in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the matchup to be postponed.
The contest was later rescheduled for the 2026 season under Tennessee athletic director Danny White and Furman athletic director Jason Donnelly. The revised arrangement preserved the financial terms while moving the game to a later date.
Why was the game delayed?
The Furman-Tennessee meeting was initially scheduled for 2020. The pandemic disrupted college football schedules nationwide, leading the two schools to postpone their matchup. After the change, both athletic departments worked to find a new date that fit their future schedules.
The 2026 game is the third meeting between the programs. Tennessee won the first two matchups comfortably, defeating Furman 32-6 in 1941 and 52-7 in 1942. Those results give the Volunteers a 2-0 all-time record in the series entering the latest meeting.
How much Tennessee pays its 2026 nonconference opponents
The $500,000 payment to Furman is only part of Tennessee’s nonconference spending for the 2026 season. The Volunteers are paying more than $1.5 million in guarantees for two nonconference games at Neyland Stadium.
- Furman: Tennessee pays $500,000 for the Sept. 5 game.
- Kennesaw State: Tennessee pays $1.05 million for the Sept. 19 matchup.
- Georgia Tech: Tennessee receives $300,000 for the Sept. 12 game at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta.
The Georgia Tech arrangement includes a return game in Knoxville. Tennessee will pay Georgia Tech $300,000 when the Yellow Jackets visit Neyland Stadium in 2027.
These guarantee payments are common in college football. Larger programs often schedule home games against smaller schools, providing the visiting team with a significant payday while giving the home team a more manageable nonconference opponent.
What the Furman game means for Tennessee
For Tennessee, the matchup provides a home opener before the Volunteers move deeper into a demanding schedule. The game also offers an early opportunity for the team to establish its identity and build momentum in front of its home crowd.
Furman, an FCS program, receives a substantial financial benefit from the visit. A $500,000 guarantee can help support football operations, scholarships, facilities and other athletic department priorities. For Tennessee, the payment represents the cost of securing a home game and filling an increasingly valuable schedule slot.
The broader scheduling picture is changing across the Southeastern Conference. With the SEC moving to a nine-game conference schedule, Tennessee needs only three nonconference opponents each season. The Vols are fully scheduled through 2029, with additional openings remaining in 2030 and 2031.
Future Tennessee football game payments
Tennessee’s upcoming nonconference contracts show how financial guarantees vary depending on the opponent and venue. The school will pay several programs to visit Neyland Stadium, while neutral-site and road games use different arrangements.
- 2027: Tennessee State receives $600,000, Georgia Tech receives $300,000 and Western Michigan receives $1.2 million.
- 2028: Tennessee pays Central Michigan $1.3 million and Chattanooga $550,000. West Virginia receives either $2.5 million or 45% of net revenue for the neutral-site game in Charlotte, whichever is greater.
- 2029: Tennessee pays Chattanooga $550,000 and Bowling Green $1.3 million. Washington receives $300,000.
- 2030: Tennessee pays UT Martin $550,000 and receives $300,000 for its road game at Washington.
- 2031: Austin Peay receives $550,000 from Tennessee.
The financial details surrounding Furman vs Tennessee highlight the business side of college football. While fans focus on the result, athletic departments negotiate contracts years in advance to balance competitive goals, travel demands, revenue opportunities and scheduling needs.
FAQs about Furman vs Tennessee
How much is Tennessee paying Furman?
Tennessee is paying Furman $500,000 under the game contract. The payment is due within 60 days of the matchup.
When is the Furman vs Tennessee game?
The game is scheduled for Sept. 5, 2026, at Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET.
Why was the game postponed?
The matchup was originally scheduled for 2020 but was postponed because of disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It was rescheduled for the 2026 season.
What is Tennessee’s record against Furman?
Tennessee entered the 2026 meeting with a 2-0 record against Furman. The Volunteers won 32-6 in 1941 and 52-7 in 1942.
