As Titans build a new home, a look back at the team's first year in Nashville's stadium

As Titans build a new home, a look back at the team’s first year in Nashville’s stadium

Posted by author July 21, 2024 NFL

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The venue now known as Nissan Stadium launched with its first major sales day 25 years ago this week, when Tennessee Titans fans lined up by the thousands to buy single-game tickets for the team’s first season at the Nashville stadium.

Per a front page article in The Tennessean on July 25, 1999, the Titans sold 32,286 tickets the day prior, with fans enduring July heat and a late-day thunderstorm to ensure their spots in the fall. Fans waiting outside the stadium were treated to free pizza, soda and ice cream, while others fought to reserve a spot at Ticketmaster outlets or over the phone.

“We were hoping for a big day and I think this exceeded our expectations, especially in how many fans came (to the stadium),” then Titans ticket manager Marty Collins told The Tennessean. “They were patient. They were great.”

A quarter-century later, Nissan Stadium is heading into its final years of existence. The Titans will play their home games in the venue for another three seasons before moving next door to the new Nissan Stadium in 2027.

The new stadium, a domed arena planned as the centerpiece of Nashville’s East Bank revitalization project, is being built next door to the existing one. Construction began in February and the Titans are already accepting applications for fans who want a spot on the wait list to reserve season tickets and personal seat licenses for the next era of Titans football.

In the meantime, Titans fans can gear up for 10 games at Nissan Stadium in 2024, including preseason affairs. The first preseason matchup against the San Francisco 49ers takes place on Aug. 10, and the regular season home opener against the New York Jets will be on Sept. 15. Other marquee home matchups in 2024 include battles against the Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers and rival Houston Texans.

History will nearly repeat itself on July 27, almost 25 years to the day of the Titans’ initial ticket launch day, when the Titans will once again open up Nissan Stadium to fans. This time, first-year Titans coach Brian Callahan and his staff will showcase the new-look Titans in a training camp practice free for fans to attend and watch their team get ready for a new season.

Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @nicksuss.