Whether you’re a sports fanatic — or just look good in Swamp Rabbit orange — when it comes to sports, Greenville has no shortage of teams to support.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about local teams, so whether you’re already a devotedsports fan or you’re new to the area, we hope it can serve as a valuable resource.
⚾ Greenville Drive (MiLB) | Est. 1993
The Drive was originally founded as the Capital City Bombers (1993-2004). The team then completed one season as the Greenville Bombers (2005). Names such as the Greenville Fireflies and the Greenville Grits were considered until the team officially became the Drive in 2006. The Drive is part of the South Atlantic League and has been a High-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox since 2005.
Where they play: Fluor Field at the West End
- Max. capacity of 6,700
- Opened in August 2006
Mascot: Reedy Rip’It
- Reedy is a green frog that wears a sideways baseball cap and a Greenville Drive jersey.
- He spends his free time catching flies in the outfield.
Team colors: Red, white, and navy
- The Drive’s name and logo pay homage to the history of the automotive industry in Greenville. In particular, the logo evokes “the imagery of car hood ornaments from the 1940s and 1950s.”
- Shop for merch.
Major accomplishments:
- League champions in 1998 and 2017
- Finished first in the league (but lost the league championship title to the Hickory Crawdads) in 2004
- 17 former Driver players have gone on to be MLB All-Stars
📅 Sneak a peek at the team’s upcoming season.
🏒 Greenville Swamp Rabbits (ECHL) | Est. 2010
The Swamp Rabbits played as the Greenville Road Warriors from 2010-2015 after the Johnstown Chiefs (1987-2010) relocated to South Carolina from Johnstown, Pennsylvania. In August 2015, the team became the Greenville Swamp Rabbits to “strengthen its ties” to the area. The team has been affiliated with many different AHL and NHL teams over the years — like the Carolina Hurricanes and the Charlotte Checkers — and is currently affiliated with the Los Angeles Kings and the Ontario Reign.
Where they play: Bon Secours Wellness Arena
- Max capacity of ~15,900
- Regularly welcomes musical acts, comedy performances, and sports tournaments — past concerts include Elton John, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bon Jovi, Eminem, and Jay-Z
Mascot: Stomper
- Stomper is a fuzzy brown rabbit that wears a Swamp Rabbits jersey.
- Invite Stomper to make an appearance at an upcoming birthday party, corporate event, or nonprofit function.
Team colors: Navy blue, orange, gold, silver, white
- The team’s main logo depicts an orange rabbit holding a bandaged hockey stick.
- Shop for merch.
Major accomplishments:
- Won the ECHL’s South division title in 2010-2011
- Qualified for the playoffs seven times in the past 12 years
📅 See the team’s schedule.
⚽ Greenville Triumph Soccer Club (USL1) | Est. 2018
The addition of a USL Division III soccer club in Greenville was announced in March 2018 after locals created a petition to bring professional soccer to the area and took to social media using the hashtag #usl2gvl. The team began its first season with USL1 in 2019 and finished third out of 10 teams. Former international soccer player John Harkes has been the team’s head coach since their inception.
Where they play: Paladin Stadium
- Max. capacity of 16,000
- Also home to the Furman University football team and the Greenville Liberty soccer team
Team colors: Green, blue, and white
- Wears a green kit for home matches and a white kit for away matches
- Has a third (aka alternate jersey) that is black
- Shop for merch.
Major accomplishments:
- USL1 champs in 2020
- Nine Triumph players have been recognized on the All-League First Team
- Finished second in their division in 2021 and 2022
📅 See the team’s 2023 schedule.
⚽ Greenville Liberty Soccer Club (USLW) | Est. 2021
The Greenville Liberty formed after the Greenville Triumph announced it would form an all female team to compete in the USL’s new W League. The Liberty was one of the eight founding teams in the new league. They played their first match on May 15, 2022, beating the Charlotte Independence by a score of 4-2.
Where they play: Paladin Stadium
- Opened in September 1981
- Converted to a turf field in 2013
Team colors: Navy, white, and yellow
- The team’s logo features a yellow jessamine, South Carolina’s state flower.
- Shop for merch.
Major accomplishments:
- Finished first in the USLW’s South Atlantic Division during their inaugural season
📅 Sign up for the team’s newsletter and be the first to hear about their 2023 season.
🏈 Clemson University Tigers Football (NCAA) | Est. 1896
The Tigers joined the NCAA’s Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in 1953, becoming one of the founding members. Dabo Swinnney has been the team’s coach since 2008 and holds a record of 161-38 with the Tigers. The team’s current rivals include USC, Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, and NC State.
Where they play: Memorial Stadium
- Popularly referred to as “Death Valley”
- Max. capacity of 82,500
- Opened in September 1942
- Has gone through expansions seven times, most recently in 2022
Mascot: The Tiger
- First introduced in 1954
- The Tiger Cub was introduced in 1993.
- It has become a tradition for the mascot to do push-ups at a game when Clemson scores.
Team colors: Clemson orange and regalia
- The orange paw logo was been the Tigers’ main logo since 1977.
- Shop for merch.
Major accomplishments:
- Six undefeated seasons
- National title winners in 1981, 2016, and 2018
- Division title winners in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015–2019, and 2022
- Winner of 26 conference championships
- Holds 21 ACC titles
📅 Check out the team’s 2023 schedule and learn more about Clemson’s full lineup of men’s and women’s sports, including its newest additions: lacrosse and gymnastics.
🏈 Furman University Paladins Football (NCAA) | Est. 1889
The Paladins are part of the NCAA’s Southern Conference (SoCon). The team has been coached by Clay Hendrix since 2017, who has lead the Paladins to one conference title and three playoff appearances. Furman football’s two biggest rivals are Wofford College and The Citadel.
Where they play: Paladin Stadium
- Also used for university graduation ceremonies
- Cost $2 million to construct
Mascot: The Furman Paladin
- A knight on a horse
- The football team was known as the Hurricanes until all of the school’s athletic teams took on the name of Paladins in 1961.
Team colors: Royal purple and white
- All of Furman’s athletic teams feature a logo a diamond “F” logo.
- Shop for merch.
Major accomplishments:
- Won 14 conference titles
- Won the national title in 1988
- 30+ former Paladins have gone on to play in the NFL
📅 Check out the team’s 2023 schedule and explore Furman’s athletic department featuring 16 teams.
🏈 University of South Carolina Gamecocks Football (NCAA) | Est. 1892
The Gamecocks football team is part of the NCAA’s Eastern Division in the Southeastern Conference. The team’s largest rivals include Clemson, Georgia, UNC, and Missouri. Additionally, the team has competed in 25 bowl games.
Where they play: Williams-Brice Stadium
- Max. capacity ~77,500
- Opened in October 1934
- Has also hosted musical performances by Beyoncé, Metallica, George Strait, Paul McCartney, and Alan Jackson
Mascot: Cocky the Gamecock
- A fighting rooster
- First introduced in 1980 — after The Rooster in 1971 and Big Spur in 1974
- An award-winning mascot, Cocky has brought several National Championships home to Columbia and was named Sports Illustrated’s No. 7 college mascot of all time.
Team colors: Garnet and black
- Wears garnet and/or black at home events and white when playing away
- Shop for merch.
Major accomplishments:
- Lead an undefeated season in 1933
- Won a conference title in 1969
- Former USC running back George Rogers won the Heisman Trophy in 1980
- Won a division title in 2010
- Celebrated three back-to-back 11-win seasons from 2011-2013
📅 Check out the team’s 2023 schedule and get to know the Gamecocks’ other sports, including its powerhouse Women’s Basketball Team.
