Data Shows Old City Foot Traffic Is Down Despite New Stadium

By Cody McClure

Business owners in Knoxville’s Old City probably hoped that the new Smokies ballpark would bring more foot traffic into their shops and restaurants.

It appears, however, that they’re actually getting fewer visitors as the street is closed between Jackson and Willow Avenues.

From a Knoxville News Sentinel report:

Data provided by Visit Knoxville shows fewer people visited the 100 block of Central Street than a year ago when the stadium was still under construction − 4,700 visitors during the first homestand compared to 5,200 visitors during the same period in 2024. It is too early to pull data from the Smokies second homestand April 29-May 4.

So 5,200 visitors down to 4,700 even with a new ballpark a couple blocks away? Doesn’t seem like a good sign for business in the area, but perhaps things will even out with more data.

It is important to note that even though the 100 block where the street is closed is receiving less foot traffic, the area in general is getting far more visitors.

The Visit Knoxville data showed that 28,900 people visited the area around the stadium during the first Smokies homestand — compared to only 7,200 visitors in that area the year before.

More information including quotes from local business owners can be found here.

One restaurant owner said his business experienced 14 reservation cancellations in two and a half hours on April 18th.