Tigers Overview

Fast facts

League: NCAA Football

Head Coach: Ryan Silverfield

Team Mascot: Pouncer

Year Opened: 1965

Capacity: 62380

City / State: Memphis / Tennessee

Rivalries & Top Games to Attend

Black and Blue Bowl

Rival Team: Southern Miss Golden Eagles

Memphis-Southern Miss games have produced some of the most fiercely competitive contests in the history of these two programs, which has led to this rivalry having the nickname, the Black and Blue Bowl. The rivalry between these two southern schools dates back to 1935 when the Golden Eagles shutout the Tigers 12-0. Today Southern Miss holds a 40-22-1 lead in the all-time series. However, Memphis will look to narrow the gap when these teams meet next.

Memphis vs Louisville

Rival Team: Louisville Cardinals

The Tigers rivalry with Louisville spans several sports with football and basketball taking center stage in the competition. Memphis and Louisville first met on the gridiron in 1948 when the Tigers took down the Cardinals 13-7. The rivalry has been back and forth over the years. However, the Cardinals hold a slim 24-19 lead in the all-time series. The Tigers will look to close the gap when these two longstanding rivals meet on the gridiron.

Paint Bucket Bowl

Rival Team: Arkansas State Red Wolves

The Memphis Tigers have a fierce rivalry with the Arkansas State Red Wolves, which dates back to 1914 when ASU beat Memphis 18-6. The name of the rivalry is derived from the fact that the winner is awarded a trophy made out of a paint bucket and brushes. The winner also gets to smear a designated part of the rival’s campus with paint. Memphis leads the all-time series 30-23-5 and will look to extend their lead when these rivals meet next.

Memphis vs Ole Miss

Rival Team: Ole Miss Rebels

The rivalry between the Tigers and Rebels dates back to 1921 when these two schools met in Oxford. The Rebels have gotten the best of the Tigers over the years having won 48 of the 62 meetings between these teams, However, the Tigers are on a one game winning streak that they’ll look to extend next season.

Tigers Tailgate Guide

Atmosphere

Barbecue is king at Memphis, as Tigers fans pride themselves on offering some of the best barbecue in the nation. When tailgating at Memphis come hungry, as you’ll find yourself leaving the game feeling full.

It’s not just the fact that Memphis offers some of the best barbecue in the nation that makes attending a Memphis tailgate a great experience. The university has put a lot of work in creating an awesome tailgating location that could go head to head with anywhere in the American Athletic Conference. The recent creation of Tiger Lane has played a huge part in igniting a strong tailgating culture at Memphis. It also is one of the premier tailgating spots in Tennessee, so make sure to stop by and check it out.

Tiger Lane also serves as home to a wide variety of Memphis pregame and tailgating events. One of the most prominent is the Tiger Walk, which allows Tigers fans the opportunity to greet the team as they enter the stadium. If you want to get into the Tigers gameday spirit, then make sure to be a part of the Tiger Walk.

You’ll also be able to take in the the Mighty Sound of the South’s tailgate concert and pep rally on Tiger Lane as well, so head on down to Tiger Lane to get into the Memphis gameday spirit and party with fellow Tigers fans.

Traditions

Central BBQ

Only a 20-minute walk from Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Central BBQ is home to quite possibly the best ribs in all of Tennessee. Central BBQ offers some of the best barbecue in the country, so make sure and stop by if you want to get the full Memphis experience.

Tiger Walk

The Tiger Walk gives fans the opportunity to greet the team as they enter the stadium and is an excellent way to get into the Tigers spirit.

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Mighty Sound of the South Tailgate Concert and Pep Rally

Before every home game the Mighty Sound of the South Band holds a pep rally on Tiger Lane. The rally is a great way to pump yourself up before the game, so make sure to check it out.

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Tiger Lane

The primary spot for Tigers tailgating both before and after the game. Tiger Lane is located right outside of the stadium and provides plenty of room for those interested in enjoying the Memphis tailgate scene.

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Grill Zone

One of the coolest things about tailgating at Memphis is that you’ll find the university and Highland Hundred offer grills that can be used free of charge. Located on Tiger Lane near Paul “Bear” Bryant Ave., this is the perfect spot for fans coming from out of town who don’t feel like bringing their grill.

Where to tailgate

Tigers Stadium Guide

In Game

Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium provides an excellent game day experience that combines the modern feel of a big time college football game with the nostalgic experience of attending a game at the historic Liberty Bowl. The Liberty Bowl has been the home of Memphis football since it opened in 1965 and has been home to many of the greatest players, coaches, and moments in Memphis Tigers history.

Inside Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium you’ll find everything you’re looking for in a college game day experience. The Mighty Sound of the South provides a great halftime show as well as excellent music throughout the game. You’ll also be able to see the cheer squad and Pouncer do their thing as well. The band and pep squad at Memphis put on a superb show that adds to the Tigers gameday experience.

The fans also aid in making a trip to Memphis one to remember. The crowd at a Tigers game is around 30,000, which is pretty typical for members of the American Athletic Conference. However, it’s not the size of the fan base but the passion of the fan base that creates a great atmosphere at Memphis. The fans here love to get loud and also know when they need to get loud, which creates an excellent crowd that never misses a beat.

The historic atmosphere of Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium and diehard Tigers fans make attending a game at Memphis a can’t miss for all you college football fans out there.

Things to check out

Electric American Flag

The electronic flag is found perched on the press box and sitting high above the field at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. This flag gives a very nostalgic feel and enhances the classic Americana feeling that saturates the atmosphere of a Tigers game.

Video Board

Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium has a huge video board that stands at 106 feet by 58 feet in the south end zone. This gigantic video board offers great replays meaning you’ll never miss a second of a Tigers game.

TOM

TOM is the live Bengal tiger mascot that represents Memphis at every home game. He is taken care of by the Tiger Guard and can be seen roaming the sidelines at every Memphis game, so keep your eyes peeled for this majestic creature.

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Mighty Sound of the South Marching Band

The official marching band of the Memphis Tigers provides fans with great entertainment during halftime performances as well as during stoppages in play. The Mighty Sound of the South gives the experience of attending a Memphis game an authentic college feel and make the trip to Memphis well worth your time.

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Fight Songs

  1. Go Tigers Go

    Fight Song

    Go Tigers Go, Go On To Victory,
    Be A Winner Thru
    And Thru;
    Fight Tigers, Fight Cause We’re
    Going All The Way — Fight, Fight
    For The Blue And Gray And Say. —
    Let’s Go Tigers Go,
    Go On To Victory.
    See Our Colors Bright And True;
    It’s Fight Now Without A Fear,
    Fight Now Let’s Shout A Cheer,
    Shout For Dear Memphis U.
    (Yell) Go Tigers Go
    Go Tigers Go
    Yea — Tiger Go!

  2. Alma Mater

    Stand Firm, O Alma Mater
    Through All The Years To Come;
    In Days Of Youth And Beauty
    Thy Halls Have Been Our Home.
    In Time Of Preparation
    Great Lessons Didst Thou Teach
    Till Now O Alma Mater,
    The Stars We’ll Strive To Reach.

    Lead On, O Alma Mater
    They Sons To Highways,
    Give Light And Truth Unto Them
    For All Their Coming Days.
    To Thee We’ll Give All Honor,
    Our Hopes Abide In Thee,
    For Thou, O Alma Mater,
    Hast Made Us Ever Free.

Tigers Bars & Restaurants

  1. The Bluff

    The Bluff

    The best concert venue in Memphis.

    535 S Highland St, Memphis, TN 38111, USA

    901-454-7771

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $$

  2. Hammer & Ale

    Hammer Ale bar

    We offer a carefully curated selection of local & regional beers and a well-crafted food menu in a warm, friendly environment.

    921 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

    901-410-8223

    Bar website

    american - $

  3. McEwen’s Memphis

    McEwens Memphis

    Sophisticated food in a casual atmosphere.

    120 Monroe Ave, Memphis, TN 38103, USA

    901-527-7085

    Bar website

    american - $$$

  4. Young Avenue Deli

    Young Avenue Deli beer

    36 draft selections, 130 can and bottle options. If you can’t find your favorite beer here, you need to try something new.

    2119 Young Ave, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

    901-278-0034

    Bar website

    american - $$

  5. Celtic Crossing Irish Pub

    Celtic Crossing Irish Pub beer

    Stop in for a quick lunch bite in our newly-renovated interior, a lengthy happy hour conversation on our comfy patio, fellow sports camaraderie around a projector screen, live local music, or an all-night dance party.

    903 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

    901-274-5151

    Bar website

    european - $$

  6. Bar DKDC

    Bar DKDC

    At BAR DKDC, we’ve paired Chef Karen Carrier’s eclectic tastes with the essence of local cuisines — international street food. The soul of the street, Our menu of small plates reads like an global backpacker’s food diary.

    964 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

    901-272-0830

    Bar website

    american - $$

  7. Alchemy Memphis

    Alchemy Memphis

    "The night isn't over until we say it is."

    940 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

    901-726-4444

    Bar website

    american - $$

  8. Ubee’s

    Ubees

    Whether there's a game or not, the legions of UBEE'S fans can relive those tailgating glory days and grub down on that homecooked grease. It's like UBEE used to say in his sci-fi days, "Do not fear us. We come in grease."

    521 S Highland St, Memphis, TN 38111, USA

    901-323-0900

    Bar website

    american - $

  9. Sweet Grass Next Door

    Sweet Grass Next Door

    Sweet Grass is a neighborhood bistro offering Low Country style cuisine with local ingredients. Sharing a chef and a kitchen, Next Door is the casual sister to Sweet Grass. The perfect place to grab a drink after work, catch the game, or have a Friday night dinner.

    937 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

    901-278-0278

    Bar website

    american - $$

  10. Char Restaurant

    Char Restaurant burger

    Experience modern Southern cuisine and excellent service in a warm, inviting atmosphere at Char.

    431 S Highland St #120, Memphis, TN 38111, USA

    901-249-3533

    Bar website

    american - steakhouse - $$

  11. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken

    Guss World Famous Fried Chicken

    At Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken we focus on the chicken.

    310 S Front St, Memphis, TN 38103, USA

    901-527-4877

    Bar website

    american - $

  12. Aldo’s Pizza Pies

    Aldos Pizza Pies

    NY Style pie to please! Dough made fresh in house daily, pies stacked high with quality ingredients.

    752 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

    (901) 725-7437

    Bar website

    pizza - $$

  13. The Beauty Shop Restaurant

    The Beauty Shop Restaurant

    Whimsical New American eatery & bar sporting vintage hair-dryer chairs & glass-brick booths.

    966 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

    901-272-7111

    Bar website

    american - $$

  14. Brother Juniper’s

    Brother Junipers

    Casual diner known for fresh bread, creative omelets & other breakfast specialties.

    3519 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN 38111, USA

    901-324-0144

    Bar website

    american - $$

  15. Soul Fish Cafe

    Soul Fish Cafe

    Serving up southern kitchen favorites to our family and friends, Soul Fish Cafe has become a tradition for the best fried catfish and fresh vegetables.

    4720 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38117, USA

    901-590-0323

    Bar website

    american - $$

  16. Iris

    Iris

    Restaurant Iris specializes in French-Creole cuisine featuring local and seasonal ingredients.

    2146 Monroe Ave, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

    Bar website

    european - $$$

  17. Pyro’s Fire Fresh Pizza

    Pyros Fire Fresh Pizza

    Our gleaming passion lies in providing not only fast & delicious food, but creating a fun, unique experience for our guests.

    2035 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

    901-208-8857

    Bar website

    pizza - $

  18. Central BBQ

    Central BBQ chicken

    Memphians know great BBQ and won’t settle for anything less.

    2249 Central Ave, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

    901-272-9377

    Bar website

    bbq - $$

  19. Memphis Pizza Cafe

    Memphis Pizza Cafe

    Since the beginning, Memphis Pizza Café has been known for serving excellent thin-crust pizzas, tasty sandwiches, the freshest salads, and good cold beverages.

    2087 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

    901-726-5343

    Bar website

    pizza - $$

  20. Huey’s

    Hueys burger

    Huey’s has been serving up Blues, Brews, & Burgers since 1970.

    1927 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

    901-726-4372

    Bar website

    american - $$

  21. Slider Inn

    Slider Inn

    All of our food is fresh and cooked to order. Home of the only Lobster Roll in the midsouth. Lobster flown in from Maine 3x/week. Great deck, homemade lemonade.

    2117 Peabody Ave, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

    901-725-1155

    Bar website

    american - $$