Skip to main content

Culture

College Football Is Back: Where to Watch It, Wear It, and Circle the Dates

Clemson, South Carolina and Georgia all claim this coast. The dates, the bars each fanbase takes over, and the games you can still walk into.

The college football season begins on August 29

The regional college football season starts with Week 0 on Saturday, August 29, before the first full Saturday of games on September 5. Along this coast, the local fanbase splits three ways between Clemson, Georgia, and South Carolina. This split runs through the same streets, offices, and families.

On Saturday, September 5, Clemson plays LSU at 7:30 p.m. on ABC. The following week, on September 12, Georgia Southern plays Clemson at Death Valley. On October 31, Georgia meets Florida at 3:30 p.m. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Georgia plays South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia on November 21, and South Carolina plays Clemson at Death Valley for the Palmetto Bowl on November 28. National television coverage for these teams runs across ABC, ESPN, the ACC Network, and the SEC Network.

Memorial Stadium, Clemson
Death Valley on a Saturday. Photo by Jason A G, via Flickr, CC BY 2.0
Date The game Where
Sat, Aug. 29 The season opens (Week 0) —
Sat, Sept. 5 Clemson at LSU, 7:30 p.m., ABC Baton Rouge
Sat, Sept. 12 Georgia Southern at Clemson Death Valley
Sat, Sept. 12 Albany State at Savannah State, 6 p.m. Wright Stadium, Savannah
Sat, Oct. 17 Charleston Southern at Clemson Death Valley
Sat, Oct. 17 Fort Valley State at Savannah State — homecoming, 3 p.m. Wright Stadium, Savannah
Sat, Oct. 31 Georgia vs. Florida, 3:30 p.m. — in Atlanta this year, not Jacksonville Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Sat, Nov. 21 Georgia at South Carolina Williams-Brice, Columbia
Sat, Nov. 28 South Carolina at Clemson — the Palmetto Bowl, 123rd meeting Death Valley

Local taverns host the three fanbases

Supporters of the three local teams gather at specific venues along the coast. The Charleston County Clemson Club meets at Bay Street Biergarten in Charleston, which features reserved seating, game sound, and the club’s own Tiger Band. Beaufort County Clemson fans gather at Cheap Seats Tavern in Bluffton for away games. Georgia fans in Charleston meet at Red Palm Tavern and New Realm Brewing on Daniel Island, while the Hilton Head Island chapter has gathered at The Crazy Crab at Jarvis Creek for every game since 2021.

The Savannah Georgia chapter meets at Flying Fish Bar & Grill on Wilmington Island. For South Carolina fans, the alumni association names Midtown Sports Grill in Savannah and The Kickin’ Chicken in West Ashley as game-watch locations. Fans of all three teams can watch together at Top Dawg Tavern in Summerville, which welcomes Bulldogs, Tigers, and Gamecocks.

Bay Street BiergartenBay Street BiergartenClemson · CharlestonCheap Seats Tavern 2Cheap Seats Tavern 2Clemson · BlufftonTop Dawg Tavern – SummervilleTop Dawg Tavern – SummervilleClemson, Georgia & South Carolina · SummervilleRed Palm TavernRed Palm TavernGeorgia · CharlestonThe Crazy Crab Jarvis CreekThe Crazy Crab Jarvis CreekGeorgia · Hilton Head IslandFlying Fish Bar & GrillFlying Fish Bar & GrillGeorgia · Wilmington Island, SavannahNew Realm Brewing Co.New Realm Brewing Co.Georgia · Daniel IslandTop Dawg Tavern & Pizzeria – Hilton HeadTop Dawg Tavern & Pizzeria – Hilton HeadGeorgia · Hilton Head IslandMidtown Sports GrillMidtown Sports GrillSouth Carolina · SavannahThe Kickin’ ChickenThe Kickin’ ChickenSouth Carolina · West Ashley, Charleston

Out-of-state alumni clubs meet at coastal pubs

Many residents bring their original team loyalties with them when they move to the coast. Ohio State fans gather at Bohemian Bull in Mount Pleasant and Mangiamo’s on Hilton Head Island, which opens its kitchen two hours before a noon kickoff. Alabama fans meet at Bedford Falls in Charleston, while LSU supporters watch at Holy City Brewing. Florida fans use Ireland’s Own in West Ashley, and Iowa fans gather at The Woodward Tavern. On Sullivan’s Island, Dunleavy’s Pub serves as the headquarters for the Notre Dame Club of Charleston and keeps the game sound on for the crowd.

Bohemian Bull – Mt. Pleasant, SCBohemian Bull – Mt. Pleasant, SCOhio State · Mount PleasantMangiamo’s Hilton Head Pizza CoMangiamo’s Hilton Head Pizza CoOhio State · Hilton Head IslandBedford Falls CHSBedford Falls CHSAlabama · CharlestonHoly City BrewingHoly City BrewingLSU · North CharlestonIreland’s Own / Jagerhaus PubIreland’s Own / Jagerhaus PubFlorida · West Ashley, CharlestonWoodward TavernWoodward TavernIowa · Mount PleasantDunleavy’s PubDunleavy’s PubNotre Dame · Sullivan's Island
Williams-Brice Stadium
Flyover at Williams-Brice. Photo by Airman 1st Class Megan Floyd, S.C. National Guard

Local shops stock team colors

Palmetto Moon locations in Mount Pleasant and Bluffton carry shirts, hats, drinkware, and tailgate gear for Clemson, Georgia, and South Carolina. Independent shops in Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Beaufort, and Kiawah also sell licensed apparel for those teams, The Citadel, and the College of Charleston.

Savannah State plays five home dates at Wright Stadium

Theodore A. Wright Stadium hosts live college football in the heart of Savannah. The season begins on August 29 at South Carolina State before the team returns for a five-game home stand. The home opener features Savannah State against Albany State on September 12 at 6 p.m.

The home schedule continues with Miles College on September 26 and Allen University on October 3. Homecoming takes place on October 17 at 3 p.m. against Fort Valley State. The final home game of the season is scheduled for November 7 against Virginia University of Lynchburg.

Sanford Stadium, Athens