The long-awaited Williams-Brice Stadium renovation is moving forward right on schedule.
On Tuesday, South Carolina cleared a key hurdle when the state’s joint bond review committee — a group made up of House and Senate budget writers — officially approved the $350 million project budget.
Now, USC athletics only needs the sign-off from the state’s fiscal accountability authority, which meets next week. That approval is expected to be a formality, giving the Gamecocks the go-ahead to break ground immediately after the 2025 football season wraps up.
Student Section Upgrades
One of the most notable changes centers on the student section. South Carolina still plans to add an air-conditioned, club-style space for students behind the section, but it hasn’t been decided whether to renovate the existing Floyd Building or demolish it and start fresh.
The Floyd Building, built in 1994, once housed the football coaches’ offices before the new football complex opened. Because it isn’t connected to the scoreboard, tearing it down would be relatively simple.
Along with this update, the documents also revealed that the north end zone grandstands will be replaced, though the final design remains unclear.
Updated Timeline
According to the project estimates sent to the committee, construction is now set to begin in December 2025 and finish in August 2028.
That’s a shift from the original projection of Phase I ending in August 2027. The likely reason is that the Gamecocks have expanded the scope of the project — what started as a suite-focused renovation has now evolved into a comprehensive overhaul that will impact every fan entering the stadium.
Importantly, USC emphasized it will work to limit disruption during football season.
“Construction is expected to be completed over three annual phases with the work taking place immediately after the last home game and before the first home game of the 2025, 2026, and 2027 football seasons,” the review document stated.
How It’s Being Funded
To finance the massive renovation, USC outlined two main revenue streams.
First, it noted that the $52-per-semester special student fee, already in place, will help pay down the “athletic facilities revenue bonds” tied to Williams-Brice. This is separate from the new $300 annual “athletics auxiliary fee” introduced this school year, which officials confirmed is not connected to the renovation.
Second, the school will continue allocating money from the “admissions fee,” which is essentially a set charge taken from ticket sales: $15 per football ticket, $4 per men’s basketball ticket, and $1 per women’s basketball ticket.
“That’s already been in place for a number of years,” explained Lance Grantham, USC’s Associate AD for Ticketing/Parking. “We’ve actually been previously planning on using that money to pay down other debt on other infrastructure projects like the football facility.”
New Club Experiences
The centerpiece of the renovation remains the expansion of premium seating. South Carolina will increase its suite total from an SEC-low 18 to 43, with 33 traditional suites and 10 founders suites. In addition, nine club areas will be added or renovated.
Among the changes, the south side’s winding walking ramps will be replaced with club spaces and escalators to improve fan flow.
The bond review documents also unveiled a new addition: a “field-level club” on the stadium’s west side. While specific details weren’t provided, it promises to add another unique game-day experience for fans.
