Football finally comes home this weekend, and Gamecock fans are ready. On Saturday night, South Carolina welcomes the SC State Bulldogs to Williams-Brice Stadium for the first home game of the 2025 season — and it won’t just be about the action on the field.
The showdown against SC State, the preseason favorite to win the MEAC, is an in-state battle with plenty of local pride at stake. But before kickoff, the buzz is already building around the Gamecocks’ revamped home turf.
New End Zones, Same Energy
On Thursday, South Carolina rolled out a striking new look for the field. Both end zones will now be painted deep garnet with bold white text. One end will proudly read “Carolina” and the other “Gamecocks,” each word marked by a white palmetto tree at the start.
“New season, new look on the field 👀,” Athletics Director Jeremiah Donati posted on X (formerly Twitter), showing off the update.
It’s a small but symbolic touch, tying the state’s iconic tree directly into the game-day atmosphere. Previously, the palmetto was stationed at the 25-yard line, but that space now features a Blanchard Machinery sponsorship logo as part of a major new deal.
And that’s not all. Other stadium enhancements have been teased for weeks, from concourse upgrades to fan amenities, though USC has yet to unveil the full list. The message is clear: Williams-Brice is leveling up.
A Fan Frenzy
The excitement isn’t just about the paint on the field. This week, USC announced that Saturday’s contest is an official sellout. In fact, students alone requested a record-breaking 21,000 tickets for the opener.
For a program that feeds off crowd energy, that means Williams-Brice is about to be rocking. Fans can expect a lively pregame scene across Columbia, from tailgates outside the stadium to the traditional roar of “Sandstorm” when the team takes the field.
Kickoff Under the Lights
South Carolina and SC State will clash at 7:00 p.m. in a primetime setting. While the game won’t be broadcast on national TV, fans everywhere can tune in via ESPN+.
For the Gamecocks, the matchup is an opportunity to set the tone at home. For the fans, it’s a chance to debut their team’s new home-field look and soak in another unforgettable night under the lights at Williams-Brice.
