Get up Tiger fans, it’s game week. With Clemson’s season opener against Georgia Tech this Thursday, it’s nearly time to head to Memorial Stadium. Whether it’s your first time or your 50th time, we’ve got your guide to game days in Tigertown.
🎟 Where to purchase tickets
Via Clemson Athletics: Single game tickets are available for Georgia Tech, Florida State, Boston College, Wofford + Wake Forest. For other games, tickets can be purchased on StubHub (which Clemson Athletics has listed as their official Fan-to-Fan Ticket Marketplace).
TigerNet has a marketplace for Clemson tickets and parking passes + groups like Clemson Tickets on Facebook allow ticket holders to buy and sell tickets among members. Clemson’s Athletic Ticket Office does remind fans to be cautious when purchasing tickets from a secondary ticket market.
Pro tip: If you’re a die-hard Tiger fan, you might want to take a look at a membership to IPTAY, Clemson’s athletic fundraising organization. Members can receive perks like access to season tickets, parking spots + media guides.
🚘 How to get there
With Clemson football comes game day traffic (including changes in traffic patterns in certain areas) so you’ll want to leave 3-4 hours before the game starts. Or earlier, to have time for tailgating.
- Parking lots open at 6 a.m. for noon and 1 p.m. games and at 8 a.m. for all other kickoff times.
- Free public parking is available at Kite Hill (at the intersection of Perimeter Rd. and US76) and off Perimeter Road, east of Cherry Road (excluding reserved lots).
- Paid parking is available at the C-1 Parking Lot and Snow Center Lot.
- Many nearby businesses, churches + residences sell spots in their parking lots before the game (so make sure to bring some cash).
- Handicap accessible parking can be found at the Hendrix Student Center on Cherry Rd. and South Palmetto Blvd.
- Clemson’s transit service is available from the following areas on game days: C-1 parking lot, Snow Center, Seneca Creek Meadows Lot + Newspring Church. Transit service from Sikes Hall is reserved for ADA patrons.
- Uber + Lyft are available but tend to surge in price. These ridesharing services are great options if you plan to consume alcohol at the game. Prioritize having a designated driver + getting home safely.
👜 What to bring
- Your ticket (or student wristband).
- A clear bag or small clutch to carry your things into the game. Read about the clear bag policy here.
- Clemson gear. If your wardrobe needs a little more orange, check out the Tiger Sports Shop, Judge Keller’s Store, Tigertown Graphics, Mr. Knickerbocker, or Entourage Clothing in Clemson. If you’re shopping in Greenville, try the Mast General Store, Experience Clemson, or Palmetto Moon.
- For what not to bring: Here’s a list of items prohibited in the stadium.
🐯 Must-see
- Tiger Walk, where players and head football coach, Dabo Swinney, walk through the stadium parking lot to the WestZone, usually takes place 2 hours before kickoff in P-3 parking lot (aka IPTAY lot 5).
- Tiger Band holds 90-Minutes Before Kick-Off, a mini-concert and pep rally, each home game at the Amphitheater. This event takes place (you guessed it) 90 minutes before the start of the game. Following the performance, Tiger Band parades down Fort Hill St. into the stadium.
- The Graveyard (located in front of the practice facility off Jervey Meadows), where the Tigers dedicate a gravestone to every win over a Top 25 ranked opponent at the opponent’s home field. See the most recent addition here. 😏
- The “most exciting 25 seconds in college football.” Before the start of every home game, Clemson’s football team lines up at the entrance to Memorial Stadium, rubs Howard’s Rock + runs down The Hill to the sound of 80,000+ cheering fans.
- ESPN’s College GameDay will be at Clemson for the season opener, with Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and the rest of the crew setup on the concourse level of Memorial Stadium.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IUkz67ACH4&feature=youtu.be
🏈 The game
- Gates open 2.5 hours before the game starts, but we recommend heading into the stadium 45 minutes prior to kickoff (at the latest) to ensure you find your seat, use the restroom, grab some water + catch the Tigers running down the hill.
- Clemson’s half-time show includes performances by the Tiger Band, Rally Cats + Cheerleaders.
- Clemson will continue to allow pass-outs this season – meaning fans can leave the stadium + be readmitted at designated entrances.
- Stick around ‘til the end of the game for the singing of Clemson’s alma mater.
🍺 Eat + drink
- The Esso Club | “If they had a national championship for college sports bars, The Esso Club would be our pick to win it all.” – ESPN The Magazine
- Pixie & Bill’s | Clemson’s original fine dining restaurant since 1971.
- Smokin’ Pig | If you’re willing to drive 13 minutes to Pendleton, their BBQ was awarded The Best BBQ Joint in S.C. by Delish.com.
- Mac’s Drive In | USA Today Travel named it one of the 51 Great Burger Joints in the country. Get the double cheeseburger plate and the chocolate milkshake.
- Pot Belly Deli | Even the pickiest of eaters can find a sandwich they like at this local fave.
- Tiger Town Tavern | Comfort food in a classic Clemson beer + pool hall setting.
🛏️ Staying in Tigertown
- The Inn at Patrick Square | 115 Market St. | Celebrates the rich heritage of Clemson University + the Upstate with local artwork and estately rooms.
- The Abernathy | 157 Old Greenville Hwy. | Located right on Clemson’s campus – just steps from Death Valley.
- James F. Martin Inn | 240 Madren Center Dr. | Right next door to the Walker Course and just a mile from Death Valley.
- Airbnb | Clemson | A range of options, perfect if you have a large party + all want to stay in the same place.
There are lots of options for lodging in Clemson – see more hotels in the area here.
🗓️ Home game schedule
Georgia Tech vs. Clemson | Aug. 29 | 8 p.m.
Texas A&M vs. Clemson | Sept. 7 | 3:30 p.m.
Charlotte vs. Clemson | Sept. 21 | TBA
Florida State vs. Clemson | Oct. 12 | TBA
Boston College vs. Clemson | Oct. 26 | TBA
Wofford vs. Clemson | Nov. 2 | TBA
Wake Forest vs. Clemson | Nov. 16 | TBA
🗒️ Depth chart
Clemson offense
QB | Trevor Lawrence (Chase Brice, Taisun Phommachanh)
RB | Travis Etienne (Lyn-J Dixon, Darien Rencher)
WR | Tee Higgins (Joseph Ngata, Brannon Spector)
WR | Justyn Ross (Cornell Powell, Frank Ladson Jr.)
WR | Diondre Overton (T.J. Chase, Will Swinney)
TE | J.C. Chalk (Luke Price or Jaelyn Lay)
LT | Jackson Carman (Jordan McFadden)
LG | John Simpson (Matt Bockhorst)
C | Sean Pollard (Cade Stewart)
RG | Gage Cervenka (Chandler Reeves)
RT | Tremayne Anchrum (Blake Vinson)
Clemson defense
DE | Logan Rudolph or Justin Foster (K.J. Henry)
DT | Tyler Davis or Jordan Williams (Xavier Kelly)
DT | Nyles Pinckney (Darnell Jefferies, Ruke Orhorhoro)
DE | Xavier Thomas or Logan Rudolph (Justin Mascoll)
SLB | Isaiah Simmons (Mike Jones Jr.)
MLB | James Skalski (Jake Venables, Kane Patterson)
WLB | Chad Smith (Baylon Spector, Keith Maguire)
CB | Derion Kendrick (Sheridan Jones, LeAnthony Williams)
SS | K’Von Wallace (Denzel Johnson)
FS | Tanner Muse (Nolan Turner)
CB | A.J. Terrell (Mario Goodrich, Andrew Booth Jr.)
👀 Need-to-know
Here’s a rundown of some of the Clemson news to read so you’re in-the-know before kickoff.
- No. 1 on the AP preseason Top 25 | ICYMI – Clemson topped the list for the first time ever.
- The man behind the mane | I mean, have you seen that hair? Get to know QB Trevor Lawrence.
- Corso has spoken | Does Lee Corso think the Tigers can pull out a National Championship W two years in a row?
- Playoff predictions | The Playoff Picture, AP Poll, Coaches Poll, Power Rankings + more.
- Wide Receiver U | Despite recent talent like DeAndre Hopkins, Sammy Watkins + Mike Williams, the Tigers didn’t make top 10 in ESPN’s WRU rankings.
- A 36-point favorite | Projections for the Clemson-Georgia Tech game.
- How to stop the Tiger offense | “You can’t stop the Clemson football offense, thanks for reading.” How opponents will deal with Clemson’s passing game + run game.
- Home field advantage | See why Death Valley was ranked the no. 1 toughest place to play in CFB.
- Fire freshmen 🔥 | First-year players to keep an eye on this season.
- Meet the Preseason All-Americans | Trevor Lawrence + 4 other Clemson players made the list.
- The ‘gold standard’ for recruiting | A behind-the-scenes look at Swinney’s recruiting success.
