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Know Before You Go: Kent State 2026
Football  . 

Know Before You Go: Kent State 2026

Get ready for the home opener vs. the Golden Flashes on Saturday

The Gamecocks open the 2026 season this Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium when they take on the Kent State Golden Flashes. Kickoff is set for 12:47 p.m. on the SEC Network.

With lots of new things at Williams-Brice Stadium for the 2026 season, fans are encouraged to plan their parking and arrival routes ahead of time. There will be temporary changes to how fans will be able to move around the stadium this year.

Below are some helpful tips for fans coming to catch a game this year. Be sure to check out the full Get Ready for Game Day Series for more information.

  • Download the Gamecocks App: The Gamecocks App is your one stop for tickets and game day information.
  • Use our new Game Day Hub and Interactive Map: Be sure to check out our new game day hub and interactive map that can be accessed inside the Gamecocks app or at map.gamecocksonline.com.
  • Add tickets to your digital wallet: Gamecock Athletics has transitioned to a fully digital ticketing model and printed tickets will no longer be available. You are encouraged to view our Digital Ticketing Guide and add your tickets to your digital wallet for ease of access on game day.
  • Ensure you enter at the correct gate: Due to construction and some restricted movement within the stadium, fans must enter Williams-Brice Stadium through the gate designated on their digital ticket. Use our Gate Identifier Tool in advance to see what gate you should enter and when those gates open and close.

In addition to our home opener being our annual High School Band Day, check out some of the additional things happening at Saturday’s game!

Enhance your game day

It’s the last chance to enhance your football game day with Forever Garnet memories!

Our auction closes Tuesday night, so bid now for the chance to win:

  • Pregame sideline passes
  • Riding the Cockyboose onto the field
  • Walking with Cocky during Gamecock Walk

Place your bid today

Be sure to also check out our Game Day Experiences where you could take pregame sideline photos on the field or pictures with Cocky or Sir Big Spur!

Purchase your Game Day Experiences

Limited-edition YETIs

Each home game this season, we’re releasing a limited-edition YETI Rambler Tumbler. With the purchase of a YETI, you will receive two bottled Coca-Cola products. YETIs can only be purchased on the Forever Garnet App and MUST be picked up on game days. YETIS cannot be brought back to future games.

On Wednesday, we will announce this week’s design and will make them available for purchase on the Forever Garnet App. To ensure you receive the announcement when it’s first released, be sure to enable push notifications for the app. If you are a Gamecock Club member and are logging into the Forever Garnet App for the first time, an account has already been created for you. Just click the log in button and then click reset password and utilize the email tied to your Gamecock Club account.

There will be a purchase limit of 4 tumblers per person and you MUST pick up your tumbler inside the gates of Williams-Brice Stadium on game day. You will not be able to bring these tumblers back into the stadium at future games.

Download the Forever Garnet App on iPhone

Download the Forever Garnet App on Android

Stop by Gamecock Village

Gamecock Village presented by Farm Bureau Insurance will open at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday. Whiskey Tango Revue will take the stage starting around 8:45 a.m. Gamecock Village will also feature food trucks, inflatable activities for kids, activation from our sponsors and a new team store presented by Rally House so fans can stock up on the latest Gamecock gear.

Gamecock Walk

The team will arrive around 10:40 a.m. and head into the stadium lead by Cocky, the drumline and our spirit teams. Get a spot early along the Tommy Suggs Garnet Way to cheer on the team.

After Gamecock Walk, head over to the Gamecock Park Amphitheater for the Pregame Pep Rally featuring the Mighty Sound of the Southeast and our spirit teams, which begins around 11:15 a.m.

Need Friday plans?

Whether you’re coming to town for the weekend or live in the area and want to get ready for game day a day early, we’ve got you covered with things you can do on Friday!

  • Take a tour of Williams-Brice Stadium: Go behind the scenes with a tour of Williams-Brice Stadium. Multiple time slots are available. Book your tour
  • Get the latest Gamecock Gear: Stop by the Gameday Store located inside the Bignon Gameday Center on the corner of George Rogers Blvd. and Key Rd. from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

As a reminder, for the 2026 season, the Gastro Pub in the Meredith Family 2001 Club will be back on Friday’s prior to SEC games only.

 

Get Ready for Game Day Resources

Click the images below to learn more

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