South Carolina Athletics is actively working with University leadership, the Southeastern Conference, and public health officials on a safe return to competition this fall. Precautions taken by South Carolina Athletics are consistent with the Governor’s guidance for the State of South Carolina.

Fans are asked to do their part by conscientiously practicing physical/social distancing, frequently washing hands, using hand sanitizer, and wearing face coverings to ensure the safest possible environment throughout the 2020 season. All fans should keep a safe distance of 6 feet between their party and other fans while inside and in the surrounding area of Williams-Brice Stadium.

Fans who are not feeling well or have been in close contact with someone they suspect may be infected should stay home.

Below are current measures that are planned to be in place at Williams-Brice Stadium for the 2020 season, grouped by topic in alphabetical order. These measures are subject to change based on recommendations by University leadership, the Southeastern Conference, and public health officials. Additional details will be announced in the weeks leading up to the home opener against the University of Tennessee.

Williams-Brice Stadium will host approximately 15,000 season ticket holders, as well as a limited number of students, visiting team families, and Gamecock band members on gamedays this fall. This decision was made while following state and local guidelines, policies, and regulations.

• All event and support staff will be required to wear PPE
• Education and training related to COVID-19 precautions will be provided for all staff and 3rd party vendors

• Face coverings (over the nose and mouth) will be required as a condition of all guest entry and throughout the stadium
• Stadium workers and athletics staff are required to wear face coverings at all times
• Face shields alone are not considered acceptable facial coverings for entry to athletics venues

• Available seating pods will be properly socially distanced according to CDC guidelines and available seats will either be designated by a chairback or marked with an “available seat” sticker
• South Carolina ensures the set-up and operational procedures in all areas will provide physical distancing including, but not limited to, the following areas:
  • Guest Seating
  • Concourses and Gathering Places
  • Dining Areas (high top tables, extended countertops, etc.)
  • Concessions Sales
  • Merchandise Sales
  • Restrooms
  • Elevators
  • Escalators
• Deep cleaning of the entire venue will take place, including disinfecting of all high frequency touch points and all high traffic areas
• Staff will continue to clean and disinfect throughout the entirety of the game
• Hand sanitizing stations will be readily available throughout Williams-Brice Stadium
• Social distancing markers will be placed around the stadium in areas where lines may form such as restroom facilities, concessions, and merchandise locations
• Additional wayfinding and safety signage will be added to indicate queuing at exterior gates, seating section entrances, and parking/transportation areas
• The usage of traditional water fountains or other self-service drinking stations will be prohibited. This does not apply to apparatuses that use touchless technology.

• All concessions staff and points-of-sale are required to wear a face shield and a mask
• Queuing lines at points-of-sale will allow for physical distancing between guests
• “Grab and go” food/beverage options will be considered at points-of-sale locations
• Beverages will be provided directly to guests. Machines designed to allow guests to fill or refill beverages must remain inoperable.
• Portable kiosks will be strategically placed to maximize social distancing
• Condiments will be offered only as single-serve condiments, and condiment carts will be prohibited
• All points-of-sale throughout Williams-Brice Stadium will be cashless
• BIGNON CENTER ACCESS
  • Face coverings required for all employees and customers entering the building and must remain on while inside the building
  • Maximum 50% capacity inside building at all times
  • Hand sanitizing stations will be available at the front entrance of gameday store
  • Check out areas will allow for physical distancing between guests and social distancing markers and signage will be visible
  • Barriers (e.g., plexiglass) will be installed at all points-of-sale
  • Check out areas, including credit card machines and surface areas will be consistently cleaned
  • Point-of-sale units have been upgraded to allow contactless payments and e-receipts
  • Gameday store will be cleaned consistently throughout the day and deep cleaned at close of each day
  • Hand sanitizer and face coverings will be available for purchase

• Gamecock Walk
  • Gamecock Walk will not take place during the 2020 season
• Gamecock Village
  • Footprint for Gamecock Village will be expanded to be properly socially distanced according to CDC guidelines
  • All vendors will be required to wear a face covering and be provided CDC information in advance to confirm they are not showing symptoms
• Spirit Squads:
  • While cheerleaders, Carolina Girls and mascots will be in attendance and visible in some capacity, they will not be allowed to be on the sidelines during the game and their direct interactions with fans will be eliminated, due to social distancing precautions
• The marching band will only play from their seats and will not conduct any pre-game or halftime performances on the field
• Rally towel distribution will be in Gamecock Village and in front of the Bignon Center with proper validation to ticket holders through the Gameday app

• Gates will open two (2) hours prior to the game
• Reduced elevator and escalator capacity will be enforced
• Please review our Clear Bag Policy
• The footprint at all gates and entry and exit points will permit physical distancing between guests
• Signage will be installed at parking lots, pedestrian paths to the stadium, gates and/or other entry points that outlines mandates
• Mandates include that all guests are required to wear face coverings, maintain physical distancing and states that guests cannot enter the stadium if they display any COVID-19 symptoms as outlined by the CDC
• All tickets will be delivered via mobile device and will be digitally scanned

• Athletics Department controlled lots will open two and a half hours prior to kickoff
• Athletics Department controlled parking spaces in Gamecock Park and Fairgrounds will only be available to patrons for the games in which they have purchased tickets
• Paid gameday parking will not be permitted in Gamecock Park or Fairgrounds
• Tents will be prohibited
• Tailgating, including grills, coolers and large buffet-style spreads, will be discouraged
• Large gatherings will be asked to disperse
• Face coverings will be encouraged to/from parking areas

• The University of South Carolina will:
  • have a documented plan that outlines the procedures/protocol for appropriate disinfection of the stadium
  • have a documented plan that outlines the procedures/protocol for working with guests who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms
  • launch a communication/public relations campaign for communicating all COVID-19 procedures/protocol to prospective guests
  • ensure they comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act in the development and implementation of all procedures/protocols

• Premium areas will open two (2) hours prior to kickoff
• Reduced elevator capacity will be enforced
• Self-serve buffets will not be available
• Suite and club hopping will be prohibited inside of Williams-Brice Stadium and suite contact tracing will be implemented
• Soft seating and low-top table seating in premium areas will be removed to increase available space for social distancing
• Socially distanced high-top tables will be the only remaining furniture inside premium spaces
• Premium area locker rooms will be monitored and capacity limits will be enforced
• Credit/debit cards will be the only accepted form of payment at premium level bars
• Plexi-glass barriers will be utilized when possible throughout premium level, including food and beverage lines and guest services kiosks

• Restroom layouts have been modified to provide proper social distancing
• Restrooms will be limited based on size
• Cleaning personnel will be assigned to each restroom for increased cleaning
• Hand dryers will not be operable

• Ticket holders will be notified of recommended gate entry times to assist with social distancing during stadium entry
• Available seating pods will be spaced according to CDC guidelines and will be designated by chairback or seat sticker

• To offer greater convenience and safety, mobile-only ticketing (excluding premium seating) will provide contactless entry to Williams-Brice Stadium for all 2020 Gamecock Football games
• To expedite entry and ensure the best possible gameday experience, fans should download their tickets prior to arrival and enter through the gate shown on their mobile ticket
• Please review our Digital Ticketing Guide for a step-by-step guide to access mobile tickets
• Download the Gameday App to manage mobile tickets
• Student ticketing details will be sent directly to all eligible students from the Department of Student Life
• Box office will open four (4) hours prior to kickoff
• Please note that as we progress throughout the season, tickets for any rescheduled game will be honored at the future date determined. Be aware this may include a different opponent, date, and/or day of the week, depending on circumstance and the SEC’s determining factors.