When it comes to crowds, only Garth Brooks can fill a hall like the Backstreet Boys.

The Backstreet Boys filled Thompson-Boling Arena with more than 25,000 fans Sunday night, at least meeting -- if not topping -- a record set by Garth Brooks in 1992.

The Orlando-based group has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide, and the group's singles, including "Larger Than Life," have become staples of Top 40 radio.

The Backstreet Boys are part what has become known as the "boy band" movement, which began with a frenzy in the late '80s with the group New Kids on the Block.

Stephanie Neubert, 13, and her friends Rachel Estes, 10, and Caroline Chronis, 9, were standing at the arena doors at 4 p.m., chaperoned by Stephanie's older sister Jennifer.

The girls say they have been fans "forever."

"It just seems that long," said Jennifer.

Nearby, Debbie Dempsy was working a sales booth with Backstreet Boys merchandise, including popular $20 necklaces fashioned to look like backstage passes. At 6 p.m., the area in front of the booth was packed with an estimated 200 fans.

Ticket scalpers were in place early, too, pacing the sidewalks hawking the $38.50 tickets for $75 to $200 each and offering to buy any extras.

Approximately 100 tickets were released for sale at 5:15 p.m. Those in line included several scalpers and Bob Tumblin, who had driven from Chattanooga.

"I got two tickets for my daughter and her friend already, but me and her mom kind of wanted to go in with her," he said.

"I've got an 8-year-old crying at home because she couldn't get tickets," said another parent in line, Donna Cardwell of Knoxville, who said she didn't have the money to pay scalpers' prices.

At 6 p.m., thousands of fans were screaming while looking over the walls of the arena walkway ramps. The Backstreet Boys' bus had just pulled up, and the band was going into the arena.

Paige Osborne and Leslie Hasemeyer, both 16, caught a glimpse of Backstreet member Nick Carter.

Both said they would probably be fans two years from now, even though the career run for "boy bands" is generally very short.

"Well, we'll be 18 then," said Leslie. "We'll probably like them -- just not as much."

Thompson-Boling Arena manager Tim Reese said the production was big, using 15 trucks and 13 buses to bring in the set, equipment and crew -- approximately twice as many vehicles as a typical show uses.

About 100 crew members, 100 ushers, 75 T-shirted security personnel and 30 uniformed officers were on hand.

Thompson-Boling's cafeteria was open for business during the concert -- available for parents who didn't accompany their children into the arena. Eugene and Aline Lyle, of Jefferson County, munched french fries while their daughter and a friend attended the show.

Do they like the Backstreet Boys?

Both shrug their shoulders.

"They're all right," said Aline. "First she was into the Hansons. Then it was 'N Sync. Now this."

Wayne Bledsoe may be reached at 342-6444 or bledsoe@knews.com.