The Tennessee Smokies, a Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, are slated to move from Kodak to Knoxville in 2025.
Doug Kirchhofer, CEO of Boyd Sports, and Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs discussed the new stadium on Thursday.
Kirchhofer said a projected completion date for the new stadium is slated for April 2025.
“The expectation is that both of the private development and residential buildings on either side of the stadium will be completed by opening day, along with the stadium,” Kirchhofer said.
Knoxville has a rich and long history of professional baseball, as well as the University of Tennessee with recent success under head coach Tony Vitello.
Kirchhofer discussed if the Vols will play games at the new stadium in Knoxville.
“We would love to see that,” he said. “They have played in the existing Smokies Stadium, and that would be something we would look forward to working out and hosting games here at the new stadium.”
The new stadium will also allow for additional entertainment avenues and will benefit the economy.
“It’s huge,” Jacobs said. “Now we have this corridor, the Old City, Market Square, a lot of stuff for people to do. One of the secrets of success for any community, I talk with people around the country, is those entertainment districts for places, for people to go, especially something like this, very family friendly.
“I think it is really going to help set us apart and propel us as a destination, on the one hand, but also for people that already live here. It just increases our quality of life for more things to do.”
Below are photos of Kirchhofer and Jacobs at new the stadium site.
