Plan approved to allow fans at Williams-Brice, other USC venues during COVID-19 era
South Carolina now knows how many fans can attend Gamecocks football games this fall.
The school announced Thursday that the state will allow crowds of “approximately 20,000” to enter Williams-Brice Stadium this season to follow COVID-19 distancing guidelines. Face coverings will be required.
USC did not specify how ticketing distribution will work for games but did say it “will discourage tailgating and prohibit the use of tents.”
“We are extremely grateful for the hard work of Governor [Henry] McMaster, the South Carolina Department of Commerce and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control for their confidence in this plan,” Gamecocks Athletic Director Ray Tanner said in a statement.
The program had submitted a plan to the Department of Commerce asking for 24.6% capacity, or about 19,741 in attendance. That percentage is in line with other SEC schools that have announced attendance plans.
Tanner said the projected crowd allotment would include the band, some students and non-paying guests of players.
The Gamecocks will use mobile-only ticketing this season. A ticketing allocation plan and parking details “will be announced soon,” the school said Thursday. As a comparison, the University of Georgia’s ticket distribution plan prioritizes donations and donor level. The Bulldogs are targeting 20% to 25% capacity for Sanford Stadium, with around 3,000 student tickets (down from 16,000 most years).
Elsewhere in the SEC, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves on Thursday banned “game day social gatherings around stadiums” including “rallies, parties, tailgates.”
According to USC: “As part of the game day operations plan, the university will implement SEC fan safety guidelines, including the requirement of wearing face coverings within athletics venues, physical distancing and various safety measures throughout the approved venues.”
USC soccer matches will be limited to crowds of 675, with volleyball at 200 seats per contest.
South Carolina’s 10-game SEC-only football season is set to start on Sept. 26. The volleyball and soccer teams are still awaiting their schedules to be announced.
South Carolina football schedule
Week 1, Sept. 26: home vs. Tennessee
Week 2, Oct. 3: at Florida
Week 3, Oct. 10: at Vanderbilt
Week 4, Oct. 17: home vs. Auburn
Week 5, Oct. 24: at LSU
Week 6, Oct. 31: OPEN
Week 7, Nov. 7: home vs. Texas A&M
Week 8, Nov. 14: at Ole Miss
Week 9, Nov. 21: home vs. Missouri
Week 10, Nov. 28: home vs. Georgia
Week 11, Dec. 5: at Kentucky
This story was originally published August 20, 2020 at 4:55 PM.
