Williams-Brice Stadium Makeover: Major Renovations to Reshape Gamecock Fans’ Gameday Experience
When South Carolina and Clemson wrap up their 2025 regular-season finale at Williams-Brice Stadium, the real work will begin — literally. Within days, construction crews will take over the historic venue, kicking off a major modernization project that will reshape the home of Gamecock football for decades to come.
The project, dubbed “Williams-Brice Reimagined,” marks a new era for South Carolina athletics. Plans include expanding suite capacity from 18 to 42, dramatically increasing premium seating and hospitality spaces, widening concourses, and adding more restrooms and concessions. The renovations will also introduce an air-conditioned student area, a new loading dock, and a full-service kitchen, transforming Williams-Brice into one of the SEC’s most fan-friendly stadiums.
However, for some longtime Gamecock faithful, the upgrade also means losing their familiar seats — some they’ve held for decades.
Season Ticket Holders Impacted
Late last week, the Gamecock Club emailed all season-ticket holders seated on the west-lower side (the press box side), warning them that “your current seating location at Williams-Brice Stadium will be impacted as part of the Williams-Brice Reimagined project.”
The changes are significant. Out of roughly 14,000 seats on the west-lower side, about 4,100 will be removed to make way for new suites and premium areas. That means every west-lower ticket holder — not just those losing seats — will have to reselect their locations once construction is complete.
“How do you justify that? You really can’t,” said Wayne Hiott, CEO of the Gamecock Club. “So the decision was made by our board that we’ve got to reset and give those affected priority in the process, and work with them to try and land them in the best place possible.”
Essentially, all west-lower seats will be reallocated, giving everyone equal opportunity during the seat selection process for the 2027 season.
What Happens Next?
According to Hiott, those with the highest Gamecock Club priority points will select seats first, as usual. Current west-lower members will have first access to comparable options when the time comes.
When asked if fans could keep their same seats, Hiott said, “Maybe.” It all depends on availability and demand once the new layout is finalized.
As for ticket prices, South Carolina Athletic Director Jeremiah Donati said those will depend on market demand.
“The market is going to dictate that,” Donati told The State. “If the market is soft, then the price won’t be high. If there’s demand, that’ll help dictate a higher price.”
Hiott added that prices for the west-lower section might not increase dramatically, noting the improved facilities and amenities. “There’s new concourses, new concessions, new bathrooms — and fewer people on those concourses, too,” he said.
Frustration Among Loyal Fans
While excitement builds for the upgrades, many fans are angry and uncertain about the future of their seats.
Gamecock fans Stewart Kennemore and Jackson Sawyer, both 2014 graduates, have sat together in Section 8, Row 10 since 2018. The pair pay monthly through the Gamecock Club payment plan — a commitment they’ve maintained for nearly a decade.
After receiving the email, they immediately called their representative but left the conversation discouraged.
“We could not get an answer. No solution,” Kennemore said. “Nothing. Just pretty much telling us that we’re screwed.”
Kennemore added, “It felt like they were trying to direct us out of Section 8 to somewhere in the upper deck. And we explained, either we keep these seats at the price we have — or we’re not going to the games anymore.”
Similarly, Charlie Page Jr., who has held seats in Section 9, Row 4 for eight years, said he’s called the Gamecock Club repeatedly seeking answers.
“The people who are loyal and there every game are the ones getting displaced,” Page said. “My son even said, ‘Dad, I don’t know if it’s worth keeping it.’”
In frustration, Page added, “We’re to the point we’re going to hit the portal. We’ve even thought about becoming East Carolina Pirates fans — they’ve got a nice stadium and great community. Maybe we go there and support them.”
A Balancing Act for the Future
Hiott acknowledges the tension but remains optimistic that fans will ultimately benefit from the long-term vision.
“I think most people understand you’re not buying season tickets or being a Gamecock Club member for a flash in the pan,” he said. “You’re in it for the long haul.”
Hiott said every decision was made carefully and with empathy. “We certainly have a lot of sympathy for those folks,” he added. “A lot of those who have had seats for a long, long time are just like the members of our Gamecock Club board — they understand how difficult these choices are.”
Despite the frustration, the ultimate goal is clear: to deliver a world-class game-day experience for the Gamecock faithful while preserving the passion that defines Williams-Brice Stadium.
When the dust settles, South Carolina fans may find that their new seats — and their new stadium — are worth the wait.
