The Music City Bowl: Origin and Growth of a Nashville Tradition
- Ellie Williamson
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 22 hours ago
Nashville, TN -The Music City Bowl was established in 1998 as Nashville, Tennessee’s signature post‑season college football game. The Nashville Sports Council in partnership with the city and local stakeholders, sought to bring a major bowl to a city renowned for hospitality, entertainment, and accessibility to teams from various conferences. The inaugural game was played at Vanderbilt Stadium, and a year later moved to its long‑term home at Nissan Stadium. The NFL venue for the Tennessee Titans and the backdrop of Music Row is where it has remained ever since.
Tennessee is no stranger to the game. It has played in this venue 4 different times. Most recently in 2021 for Coach Heupel’s first post season game as Head Coach for the Volunteers.
2010 Music City Bowl vs. North Carolina (Tennessee lost 27–30 in double overtime.)
2016 Music City Bowl vs. Nebraska (Tennessee won 38–24)
2021 Music City Bowl vs. Purdue (Tennessee lost 45–48 in overtime)
2025 Music City Bowl vs. Illinois
Across those first three completed games, the Volunteers have a 1–2 record in the Music City Bowl.
Over the years, the Music City Bowl has evolved through several conference tie‑ins. Early matchups featured teams from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) against the Big East, the Big Ten, and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) at various points in the 2000s and 2010s. In recent years, the bowl has settled into a consistent pairing between the SEC and the Big Ten, reflecting broader affiliations within the College Football Playoff ecosystem.
Annual sponsorship changes have also marked the bowl’s history. It has appeared under names such as the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl, the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl, and, more recently, the TransPerfect Music City Bowl and Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl in 2025.
This bowl game still matters to the Tennessee Football program according to head coach Josh Heupel:
“Young guys get a lot of opportunity in their preparation and on game day too. It’s the last chance for us to compete. This team together. In some ways it’s a build up to next year.”
Memorable Matchups And Participants
Since its inception, the Music City Bowl has featured a wide range of programs from across the Power Five conferences. Some notable examples include:
Alabama vs. Virginia Tech (1998): The first edition of the bowl, played in wintery conditions in Nashville, with Alabama prevailing.
Boston College vs. Georgia (2001): A competitive SEC vs. Big East matchup at Adelphia Coliseum (later Nissan Stadium).
Mississippi State vs. Wake Forest (2011): Showcasing an SEC team against an ACC opponent in the early 2010s.
Iowa vs. Kentucky (2022): A matchup of Big Ten vs. SEC teams culminating in a 21–0 Hawkeyes victory.
Auburn vs. Maryland (2023): Featuring a strong performance by Maryland against an SEC opponent at Nissan Stadium.
Each year, the selections reflect bowl committee decisions based on conference standings, fan travel potential, and matchups that will draw national television audiences, with millions tuning in via ESPN broadcasts.
On‑Site Prep In Nashville
One important but less‑publicized aspect of the Music City Bowl experience is the pre‑game preparation and practice routines that teams undertake upon arriving in Nashville. Bowl games often bring an extended schedule of closed practices, media sessions, and acclimation days to help teams adjust to the neutral site.
Teams typically arrive in Nashville several days before kickoff, often around Christmas or the Sunday following, depending on the year’s schedule and travel logistics.
Upon arrival, Bowl participants usually conduct practices at nearby facilities. Historically, Vanderbilt University’s practice complex has been a common site for visiting teams from the SEC and beyond, offering fields and amenities close to Nissan Stadium.
Former Practice Weeks
Mississippi State Bulldogs (2019): Mississippi State arrived in Nashville on Christmas night and held its first bowl week practice at Vanderbilt Stadium, emphasizing a routine of acclimation after a layoff from regular season play.
Tennessee Volunteers (2021): The Tennessee program spent time practicing locally at Vanderbilt’s facilities.
Clemson Tigers (2006): One of the earlier examples, saw Clemson conduct practices at Goodpasture High School’s stadium while Kentucky utilized Vanderbilt’s fields that year.
These practice sessions serve both competitive and logistical functions. They allow teams to adjust to December weather in middle Tennessee, refine game plans in a neutral‑site environment, and provide unique experiences for student‑athletes away from campus.
This year, the Vols elected to practice at Montgomery Bell Academy rather than the Vanderbilt facilities. The local private academy, founded in 1867 is located on Harding Road, Nashville, TN.
It is home to several former members of the Tennessee football program. The private institution counts among its alumni numerous individuals who have achieved success in professional athletics.
What former MBA students reached the professional level? Here a few to note:
Ty Chandler (2017-2020). Ty went on to be a RB in the NFL, drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2022. He played college football at Tennessee before transferring to North Carolina.
Ingle Martin. Quarterback who played professionally (NFL and UFL), including time with the Tennessee Titans.
Will Bartholomew. Former NFL fullback and member of the 1998 Vols football team.
R.A. Dickey. A Professional MLB pitcher, 2012 Cy Young Award winner.
Illinois selected the Vanderbilt campus for a practice experience while in Nashville. Head Coach for the fighting Illini, Bret Bielema pointed out that Illinois is practicing at Vanderbilt in part because Tennessee didn't want to use its rival's facilities.
"The people here in Nashville have been absolutely awesome," said Bielema. "To use Vanderbilt's facility, an SEC team, and we're the first Big 10 team to be in this building. Usually the SEC is always in here. But I know Tennessee really didn't want to use Vandy's facility, which I understand. I understand rivalries. But we've been a benefiter of that. It's an unbelievable facility. I talked to Coach (Clark) Lea before we came down here, and to have this facility has been absolutely awesome."
Cultural and Economic Impact
Beyond the gridiron, the Music City Bowl has become a major sporting event in Nashville’s holiday calendar. Activities like “Battle of the Bands” performances downtown, alumni tailgates, and fan festivities blend the city’s music heritage with college football traditions, enhancing the overall bowl experience for teams and supporters alike.
Economically, the bowl transforms a New Years Eve tourism week into a vibrant period for local businesses, filling hotels and restaurants while contributing millions of dollars in direct and indirect impact.
This week, the Vols and Illinois followed a packed schedule of public events and even faced off in a Hot Chicken eating contest. Illinois won the Welcome Party event held at Category 10 on Broadway.
The Battle of the Bands will conclude the Bowl events and practice week. The event is free to attend and will be located on Lower Broadway on Monday night, December 29th. TPL will be there to share the Volunteer spirit across Nashville. It will be a day to dress warm. Nashville temps are set to be in the mid 30’s leading up to kick off.
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