While some pods of two or three seats do occur naturally, they are infrequent and thus, donors with 1-4 tickets currently on their account will be allowed some flexibility to increase the number of tickets in order to complete a complete pod of seats.
2020 Mini-Pack Seat Selection
The University of South Carolina Department of Athletics has put in place new football guidelines based on the guidance of the Southeastern Conference, local and state health officials, and University leadership. Gamecock Football looks forward to welcoming approximately 21,400 guests at Williams-Brice stadium this fall, while establishing enhanced COVID-19 protocols aimed at keeping all patrons safe while in attendance. Our seating capacity includes roughly 19,000 seats. With the demand for tickets far exceeding the limited capacity of Williams-Brice Stadium in 2020 and a priority placed on providing access to games for all season ticket holders, the Gamecock Club Executive Committee has approved the 2020 football season to be divided into two mini-packs made available exclusively to current season ticket holders.
Mini-Pack A
Tennessee
September 26
Texas A&M
November 7
Georgia
November 28
Mini-Pack B
Auburn
October 17
Missouri
November 21
Seat Selections
To determine seat locations for the 2020 Gamecock Football limited capacity season, two separate seat selections will occur utilizing the pod system. Donors will be ranked by Gamecock Club giving level, then by points within that level and assigned a seat selection time based on their ranking. Donors will only be eligible to choose pods of seats with a seat donation equal to or less than those currently on their account with the stipulation that priority may only be exercised once.
For mini-pack B seat selection, all donors who use their priority to select mini-pack A will be slotted by points within giving level after those eligible donors who did not select Pack A. Donors may be able to select both mini-packs in the event that seats are available for Pack B after first priority selections.
Access to remaining inventory for the second mini-pack will be based on points within giving level.
In the event that games are either cancelled and not rescheduled, or fans are prohibited from attending, required football ticket and Gamecock Club payments will be re-evaluated and impacted donors will receive additional correspondence from the Athletics Department
The Pod System
During seat selection, available seats are divided into small clusters of seats or “pods” to ensure social distancing between one account to the next. The size of a pod is based on the configuration of each section, row and aisle. The number of pods that a donor can select is based on the number of season tickets on their account per the chart below. Donors will only be eligible to choose pods of seats in locations with a seat donation that is equal to or less than those currently on their account. In an effort to ensure the health and safety of all patrons within Williams-Brice Stadium and to ensure the pods only consist of one household, donors will be required to select a full pod of seats, no partial pods will be available for purchase.
In order to maximize the number of fans that are able to be in attendance this fall, donors may notice a significant lack of pods of two and of odd numbers. We realize that many of our donors purchase seats under those configurations, so by allowing the purchase of a full pod, donors will have more flexibility to increase the number of seats currently on their account.
Ticket Limits
A key principle to maintaining safety of our fans and minimizing the further loss of seats is the implementation of a pod system for sellable seats within the stadium. With guidelines calling for 6-feet of social distancing between all groups of sold seats and no more than two groups per row, small clusters of seats, or pods, have been laid out throughout the seating areas. The size of a pod is based on the configuration of each section, row and aisle. The selection system for the sale of these mini-plans will require donors to purchase a complete pod of seats. While some pods of two or three seats do occur naturally, they are infrequent and thus, as illustrated by the chart, donors will be allowed some flexibility to increase the number of tickets in order to purchase a complete pod of seats.
Premium Seating
Pods of seats in premium areas will be available for selection by those who currently have premium seats on their account. Selected seats are not to exceed the total number of premium seats on one’s account. Premium seat holders will only be able to select seats within the same price-level they currently have premium tickets, and donors with premium seats that are unable to select in their price-level due to limited availability, will have access to all non-premium seating areas, including club seats, with equal or lesser seat donations.
In order to adhere to guidelines provided by public health officials, the experience provided within these areas will be altered. Modifications include, but are not limited to: elimination of self-serve buffets, removal of soft seating, implementation of socially distanced high-top tables, monitoring of the number of patrons utilizing lockers, reduced elevator capacity, cashless transactions at premium-level bars, and a ban of suite hopping.
Parking
For Gamecock Club Members that purchase parking through the athletics department, your parking space(s) will be honored for games in which your account has mini-plan(s) tickets. Parking passes will be mailed to the accounts shortly after mini-plan seats are selected. Additionally, parking lot access will be limited with lots opening two and a half hours prior to kickoff.
Tailgating will be strongly discouraged and tents will be prohibited in all University of South Carolina operated parking lots.
Reinvest for Success
The options made available through the Reinvest for Success campaign will run through the entirety of both mini-pack selections. Donors that go through the seat selection process and decide not to select seats can explore their Reinvest for Success options here .
Due to the shortened season and the implementation of mini-packs, donors selecting seats in the selection process described above will be able to reinvest, refund, or rollover a percentage of their 2020 Gamecock Club dues (outlined in chart). The percentage of membership eligible for these options is based on the number of mini-packs selected and the number of additional season tickets for other sports on your account.
Any donor willing to keep their full 2020 Gamecock Club Membership intact will qualify for our Forever Loyal benefits.
- 4X priority point bonus for the amount that the donor could have had rolled over or refunded (outlined in the chart)
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Allowing donors who renew their 2021 membership at their current giving level or above the opportunity to select seats for all seat selections for the 2021-22 year at one giving level higher than their paid membership, along with the right to retain those seats at the 2020 level.
Any ticket funds remaining on an account after mini-pack selection will also be available for reinvestment, rollover, or refund.
FAQ's for Fall 2020 Seat Selection
Can I purchase a pod with another season ticket holder/account?
No. In an effort to ensure the health and safety of all patrons within Williams-Brice Stadium and to ensure the pods only consist of same households, only one account will be able to purchase a pod
Can I opt out of Pack A, but take part in the Pack B seat selection? If yes, how do I execute this?
Yes, absolutely! The selection window for pack A will be September 10th – 15th and the selection window for pack B will begin September 21st.
If I wait and select Pack B, is there any way to select Pack A after the Pack B selection process?
We don’t anticipate any pods to be available after the selection process is complete due to demand and limited capacity.
Can I purchase seats with a higher seat donation than my current football season tickets?
No, donors will only be eligible to choose pods of seats with a seat donation equal to or less than those currently on their account.
Can I purchase both the Pack A and Pack B?
Potentially! Any donor who participates in the first mini-pack selection will only be eligible for a second mini-pack selection if seats are available after first priority assignments. Access to remaining inventory for the second mini-pack will be based on points within giving level.
I still have some remaining money on my account after going through the seat selection process, is that money available for me to participate in the Reinvest for Success campaign with?
Absolutely! Any remaining money after choosing new seats for the 2020 Gamecock Football season is eligible to be reinvested, rolled over, or refunded. Should you choose to reinvest or roll over your remaining account credit, all of the same bonuses would be available to you as a way of saying thank you for your generous support of Gamecock Athletics. For example, if a Full Scholarship donor selects a mini-pack and thus, 50% of their Gamecock Club membership is required to be retained, but this donor chooses to leave 100% of their membership in 2020, they would be considered Forever Loyal and would receive a 4x priority point bonus for the 50% that they continue to donation as well as a one-year seat selection bonus, selecting with the Silver Spurs for the 2021 Gamecock Athletics seasons.
Is it too late to opt out of the 2020 season and take part in the Reinvest for Success campaign for my 2020 Gamecock Club Membership and/or 2020 Gamecock Football ticket monies?
No! If you’d still like to opt-out of the season, please visit this link to review the Reinvest for Success option and fill out the survey with your selections.
Will single-game ticket sales be an option through South Carolina Athletics?
At this time, we do not anticipate having any single-game sales for the 2020 Gamecock Football season. Based upon the number of season ticket holders interested in attending Gamecock Football this fall and the reduced seating capacity, we only plan on selling the available tickets in the form of mini-packs.
Will concessions and merchandise stands be open in the same capacity as they have been in past years?
Concessions will have fewer selections and feature more grab’n’go and individually packed offerings than in the past. Merchandise stands and concessions will have increased sanitation and safety measures to protect fans and staff, including contactless payment and requiring staff to wear face masks.
Will premium areas still serve food?
Premium areas will include food, but in a reduced capacity with increased safety measures per state and local safety guidelines, as well as University of South Carolina and Southeastern Conference safety guidelines.
Will premium area lockers be available for use?
Yes, lockers will be assigned and available for use on game days. Locker areas will have limited capacity and new processes to meet state and local safety guidelines, as well as University of South Carolina and Southeastern Conference safety guidelines.
What is the suggested method for selecting seats at my selection time?
For the best and most efficient selection experience, we highly encourage you to utilize the online seat selection tool, linked here, to select seats during the seat selections for mini-packs. You will receive your seat selection time via email on Friday, September 4th. If you have questions or issues, please call the Gamecock Ticket Office at 803-777-4274 or the Gamecock Club at 803-777-4276.
What happens if I miss my selection time?
You will be able to select seats via your Gamecock Account Manager any time between your assigned selection time through the end of each seat selection.
How will I receive my tickets after I purchase?
South Carolina Athletics is implementing mobile-only ticketing and all tickets (excluding premium area tickets) will be distributed digitally to assist in our contactless efforts.
Please review our Digital Ticketing Guide for a step-by-step guide to access mobile tickets.
What games does my parking pass allow me access to?
Your parking pass will be honored for the games in which you have tickets.
Do my Gamecock Club ticket limits still apply while selecting seats during Pack A and Pack B seat selections?
Due to the pod system implemented to accommodate social distancing standards, the regular Gamecock Club ticket limits are slight adjusted for the 2020 Gamecock Football season to make accommodations for our fans. Members will be required to purchase a seating pod in its entirety.
Please note, these increased limits are only allowed during the 2020 Gamecock Football season mini pack seat selections.
What happens if I do not select seats during the seat selections for Pack A or Pack B?
All donors must select seats during the seat selection processes or you will not be able to attend 2020 Gamecock Football games.
If a donor does not select seats they will be able to participate in the Reinvest for Success Campaign, roll over, or be refunded for any account credit. Donors that do not inform us by December 31st, 2020 on how to handle their credit will have ticket monies automatically rolled over to their 2021 Gamecock Football ticket balance and 2020 Gamecock Club membership dues will remain in place.
When will I receive my selection time?
Pack A selection times will be shared via email on or before Friday, September 4.
Pack B selection times will be shared via email on or before Friday September 18.