UNIVERSITY of TENNESSEE AND UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS SELECTED FOR 2025 LIBERTY MUTUAL MUSIC CITY BOWL

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Dec. 7, 2025) – The Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl today announced the University of Tennessee (Tennessee) and University of Illinois (Illinois) will face off in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) versus Big Ten Conference matchup on Dec. 30, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. CT in Nashville’s Nissan Stadium. The teams were announced this afternoon following the College Football Playoff selection show on ESPN.

“We congratulate the University of Tennessee and the University of Illinois on earning their spots in the Music City Bowl,” said Liberty Mutual USRM CMO Jenna Lebel. “Both programs have battled all season to get here, and fans should expect a hard-fought, high-energy game that showcases the talent, teamwork and perseverance of these student‑athletes. Liberty Mutual is proud to support the teams, their coaches and communities as they come together for what promises to be a memorable night in Nashville.”

This year marks the 27th ^playing of the Music City Bowl, which has grown into a Nashville holiday tradition and one of the city’s busiest tourism periods. In last year’s matchup, the Missouri Tigers defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes, 27-24.

“We appreciate the opportunity to send our seniors out with one final game in our home state in the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl,” said Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel. “The opportunity to prepare and compete against an outstanding Big Ten opponent of the caliber of Illinois is one we look forward to. Vol Nation has been unwavering in its loyalty and support of our players. It’s something we never take for granted. We are excited to go play in front of them one more time in 2025 in Nashville.”

The University of Tennessee Volunteers, long-established members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), boast over 850 wins, 13 SEC championships and six claimed national titles. Their bowl appearances include 56 games, with three trips to the Music City Bowl in 2010, 2016 and 2021, highlighted by a dominant 38–24 victory over Nebraska in 2016.

"Thank you to the Nashville Sports Council and CEO Scott Ramsey for the invitation to this year’s Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl,” stated Illinois Head Coach Bret Bielema. “We are excited to accept the invitation to a first-class bowl game against a quality SEC opponent in Tennessee. This is an outstanding opportunity for our program and our fans to celebrate one of the most accomplished groups of seniors in Illinois history with a national spotlight. We will see all the Illini FamILLy in Nashville.”

The University of Illinois Fighting Illini, a member of the Big Ten Conference, boasts a rich football history marked by legendary figures and numerous major bowl appearances, having claimed five national championships. Illinois has appeared in more than 20 bowl games throughout its history, including the Rose, Sugar and Orange Bowls, and continues to build competitive seasons marked by strong defensive play and emerging talent.

“Welcoming Tennessee and Illinois to Nashville is such an exciting way to celebrate this year’s Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl,” said Scott Ramsey, president & CEO of the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl. “Both programs bring passionate fan bases and strong football traditions, and we look forward to hosting them for the 27th annual Bowl and showcasing the Music City Bowl and our new title sponsor, Liberty Mutual Insurance, on Dec. 30^th on national television on ESPN.”

The Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl will kick off the Nashville celebration with a downtown welcome party for participating teams. Players will be gifted a custom, premium leather belt from Blue Delta Jean Co. and can choose from a seven-tier gift suite featuring electronics, coolers, televisions and more. Head coaches will receive wrapped guitars, serving as their very own “key to the city”, as a token of appreciation and Southern hospitality for the teams to take home.

Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl tickets are available now through Seat Geek. Leading up to the ESPN-televised bowl game, the participating teams’ marching bands will face off in an open-to-the-public Battle of the Bands on Monday, Dec. 29. The event begins at 6 p.m. on Broadway, between First and Third Ave.

For more information on the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl and this year’s game, visit www.MusicCityBowl.com.

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Contact

Tiffany Buchen, REED Public Relations Account Supervisor, 201-336-4479, tiffany@reedpublicrelations.com

About the Music City Bowl

The Music City Bowl (501(c)(3) non-profit organization) is an annual post-season collegiate bowl featuring the Big Ten and Southeastern Conferences. Since its inception, the bowl has produced over $400 million in direct economic impact. Distributed nationally to millions of viewers and listeners on ESPN and ESPN Radio, the bowl is Nashville’s holiday tradition. For more information, call the Bowl office at 615-743-3130 or visit the Bowl online at www.MusicCityBowl.com.