Know Before You Go: Mississippi State 2026
Back at home to open SEC play vs. the Bulldogs
After defeating Towson 45-9 last Saturday, Carolina is back in action at Williams-Brice Stadium this weekend to open SEC play against Mississippi State. Kickoff vs. the Bulldogs is set for 4:20 p.m. on the SEC Network. We look forward to welcoming family members of current University of South Carolina students to Columbia for Family Weekend.
Keep reading for everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s game.
Enhance your game day
There’s still time to enhance your 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
Be sure to also check out our Game Day Experiences where you can take pregame sideline photos on the field or pictures with Cocky or Sir Big Spur!
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.
Stop by Gamecock Village
Gamecock Village presented by Farm Bureau Insurance will open at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday. Sam & Illia, a soul, pop, and rock band and acoustic duo based out of Columbia, will take the stage starting around 12:00 p.m.
Gamecock Village will also feature food trucks, inflatable activities for kids, activations from our sponsors and a team store presented by Rally House so fans can stock up on the latest Gamecock gear.
Gamecock Walk & Pep Rally
The team will arrive around 2:15 p.m. and head into the stadium led 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 2:40 p.m.
Need Friday plans? The Gastro Pub is back!
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.
- Stop by the Gastro Pub: The Gastro Pub in the Meredith Family 2001 Club is open this Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Stop by for the full service, pub bar happy hour experience. Learn more
Get Ready for Game Day Resources
Click the images below to learn more
-
(Opens in a new tab) Get Ready for Game Days: Overview
Provides an overview of Williams-Brice Reimagined and overall improvements for phase one
-
(Opens in a new tab) Get Ready for Game Days: Logistics
Information focuses on logistics from parking to gate entrance to moving around once in the stadium
-
(Opens in a new tab) Get Ready for Game Days: Guest Services
Information on guest service amenities at Williams-Brice Stadium
-
(Opens in a new tab) Get Ready for Game Days: Fan Experiences
Information on fan experience initiatives at Williams-Brice Stadium
-
(Opens in a new tab) Get Ready for Game Days: Concessions
Information on concessions and alcohol service at Williams-Brice Stadium
-
(Opens in a new tab) Gate Identifier Tool
Use our gate identifier tool to determine what gates you must enter for the 2026 season.
-
(Opens in a new tab) Digital Ticketing Guide
Learn more about how to manage and access your digital tickets for the 2026 season.
-
(Opens in a new tab) Williams-Brice Reimagined
Learn more about the stadium project including what's still to come in phase 2.
-
(Opens in a new tab) 2026 Football Hub
Check out everything planned for this fall and secure your tickets today.

