What it costs to watch Tennessee Baseball at the College World Series
Drew Beam on the Tennessee baseball player reaching the College World Series finals
Tennessee State baseball defeated Florida State 7-2 on Wednesday to advance to the finals of the College World Series for the second time in program history.
Could this be the big, historic year when Tennessee finally wins the College World Series?
The team finished second in 1951, the closest they ever came to winning. In total, the Vols have made it to Omaha five times.
If there’s even the slightest chance of it happening, you have to be there. But how exactly will you do that? And how much money will it cost you to have a seat at this great game?
We hope you read quickly because you need to finalize your travel plan ASAP to attend Game 1.
Get your tickets for the College World Series
First things first: We’ll make sure you get a seat at the sporting event of your dreams.
The best-of-3 series will run over two or three days, depending on whether Game 3 is needed. Omaha is in the Central Time Zone, but we’re listing it here in Eastern Time (we don’t want to upset anyone who relies on us at home for the time of first pitch).
- Game 1: Saturday, June 22, 7:30 p.m. EDT
- Game 2: Sunday, June 23, 2 p.m. EDT
- Game 3 (if necessary): Monday, June 24, 7 p.m. EDT
Fans who want to attend one of the games will have to be prepared to spend a lot of money on a ticket (and those prices will surely rise if the series is extended). Prices for Game 1 already start at over $300 per seat.
Game 1 (from $332): https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/0e9O0jY
Game 2 (from $181): https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/QLawqxE
Game 3 (from $22): https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/mVkv2q1
Get in the car … now
Driving is possible. According to Waze, Vols fans can get to Charles Schwab Field in Omaha in 13 hours nonstop (ha, good luck with that). It’s more than 900 miles through Nashville, St. Louis and Kansas City.
According to Google Maps, a flood warning is in effect for the route in Buchanan, Missouri, from June 20 until early Saturday afternoon, so drivers must also consider alternate routes, adding to an already long drive.
According to the AAA website, gas costs about $219 round trip.
Or grab your credit card and book your flight
Leaving Saturday morning would be a tight squeeze, so hardcore baseball fans will have to fly to Omaha early Friday. If Game 3 is played, we’ll also schedule a return flight on Tuesday.
Knoxpedia: Your guide to flights to and from Knoxville at McGhee Tyson
That brings the total round-trip fares from Knoxville to Omaha to $2,545 on United and $3,102 on Delta, according to Google Flights.
The good news is that Delta offers two free checked bags, so at least all of your Vols merchandise flies for free.
Getting to Omaha on a budget
Did you spend all your money on tickets? We hope you packed everything because you need to get on a Greyhound bus right now.
Each bus is nearly full, but if you’re lucky, you may be able to find a seat if you leave Knoxville late Thursday night and arrive in Omaha late Friday night. Prices range from $203.55 to $246.94, according to the Greyhound website.
What about accommodation?
Of course, you’ll want to stay near Charles Schwab Field, and while you’re at it, book the Hilton Omaha with a view of the stadium so you don’t miss a thing.
For your Friday-Tuesday stay, you’ll pay about $8,600. Several other hotels in the area are already booked, so hopefully price won’t be an issue.
Grand Slam? And what about the total?
If you fly, you can expect to spend $12,237 on your big trip to Omaha – and that’s not even including the three days at the stadium. If your wallet is deep enough – or if you’re a true VFL – then bon voyage.
And if you want to travel by car instead of plane and are on a budget, that’s a great idea – it will only cost you $9,354.
Hayden Dunbar is the storyteller reporter. Email: [email protected].
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