Kick Time Set for Aflac Kickoff Game in Atlanta

The South Carolina Gamecocks will open the 2025 football season on Sunday, August 31, against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Game time has been set for 3 pm ET. The game will be televised nationally by ESPN.

South Carolina is coming off a 9-4 campaign in 2024 including a 5-3 mark in the SEC. The Gamecocks posted six-straight wins to close out the 2024 regular season, and finished the year ranked 19th in both major polls. The Gamecocks, led by Heisman-hopeful quarterback LaNorris Sellers, are a preseason top 15 pick in most preseason polls.

South Carolina coached by Shane Beamer, who is in his fifth season guiding the Gamecocks. Beamer’s father, the legendary Frank Beamer, posted a 238-121-2 record in 29 seasons during a Hall of Fame career as the head coach at Virginia Tech. Shane, a 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, was on the ’99 Hokie team that played for a national championship and was a member of Frank’s staff as an assistant coach from 2011-15.

Virginia Tech posted a 6-7 record in 2024 including a 4-4 mark in the ACC. The Hokies are led by fourth-year head coach Brent Pry.

“We’re thrilled for the opportunity to have the Hokies and Gamecocks meet again for the first time in more than three decades,” said Gary Stokan, Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO and president. “It should be an exciting matchup between South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer and the team his father, Frank, coached for 29 seasons as the all-time winningest coach in Virginia Tech’s history.”

South Carolina leads the all-time series over Virginia Tech by a 11-7-2 count, posting a 5-2-1 record in both Columbia and Blacksburg, but the Hokies have won three of four at neutral sites in a series that dates back to 1905. The teams have not met on the gridiron since 1991, a 28-21 South Carolina win in Columbia. The Gamecocks are 4-0-2 against the Hokies in their last six meetings, with Virginia Tech’s last win coming in 1974.

All fans can request tickets for the Aflac Kickoff game via the South Carolina Account Manager and seating locations will be provided at a later date. Those that have already requested their tickets can expect to receive their seating locations in June. To request your tickets, visit: https://am.ticketmaster.com/gamecocks/buy/aflackickoff