The University of Tennessee announced new rules Thursday that take aim at ticket scalpers.
The new policy prohibits commercial sales activities, including the resell of tickets to athletic events, music concerts and other campus events, in front of Neyland Stadium and Thompson Boling-Arena in the hours leading up to the event.
The ban is effective starting four hours prior to the beginning of the event and remains in effect until it is finished.
Commercial activity will not be allowed before football games in the stadium's Gate 21 Plaza and along the east side of Phillip Fulmer Way from Middle Way Drive to Gate 10.
For basketball games, resale of tickets and other commercial activity will be banned along Phillip Fulmer Way from Tee Martin Drive to Lake Loudoun Boulevard in front of the arena.
"This is not a snap decision. This is an issue the University has been looking at for quite some time," said Jeff Maples, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration.
The new rules are aimed at protecting the university's ability to sell tickets to the public, reducing traffic congestion and adding to the safety and enjoyment of the event experience.
"We were very concerned about the overall congestion in this area and the ability to meet the customer serice needs," Maples said.
While the sidewalks are offlimits around Neyland, across the street is not. The rest of the campus is open for business as well.
Officers on campus will help with the enforcement of the new policy. After a verbal warning, they will issue a tresspassing notification to people who refuse to follow the rule.