If you live anywhere between the Upstate and the Lowcountry, your calendar is basically dictated by one Saturday in late November. It’s the kind of rivalry that splits households right down the middle, where Thanksgiving leftovers taste a lot better or a lot worse depending on what happens on the gridiron. If you’re looking for the quick answer, here it is: the 123rd meeting of the Carolina Clemson game is scheduled for Saturday, November 28, 2026.
The venue? Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina.
Yeah, Death Valley.
The 2026 Palmetto Bowl: Date, Location, and What We Know
Honestly, the schedule for 2026 feels like a lifetime away when you're still thinking about the 2025 result, but the SEC and ACC don't wait for anyone. The Gamecocks will be traveling to Clemson on November 28, 2026.
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While the exact kickoff time hasn't been set—it's 2026, after all—history tells us to keep a few slots open. Usually, the networks (likely ABC, ESPN, or the SEC Network) won't announce the "official" time until about twelve days before the game. Sometimes they even wait for the six-day window if the stakes are high enough.
- Date: November 28, 2026
- Location: Memorial Stadium (Death Valley), Clemson, SC
- Broadcaster: TBA (Keep an eye on the SEC/ACC TV rotation)
Why the 2026 Game is a "Revenge Tour" for the Gamecocks
Clemson took the 2025 matchup with a 28-14 win in Columbia. It wasn't the prettiest game, but Dabo Swinney’s squad managed to keep the Gamecocks at arm's length for most of the second half. For Shane Beamer and South Carolina, 2026 represents a chance to flip the script on the road.
Winning in Death Valley is... hard. It’s loud. It’s orange. It’s basically a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. But Carolina has done it before. Remember 2022? That 31-30 thriller snapped Clemson's 40-game home winning streak. That's the energy Gamecock fans are hoping to bring back to Pickens County in 2026.
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Ticket Situations and Logistics
Look, if you're trying to find tickets for the Carolina Clemson game, you've gotta be proactive. This isn't a "buy them at the gate" kind of situation.
- Season Ticket Holders: They get first dibs. If you know a donor, start being really nice to them now.
- The Secondary Market: Sites like StubHub or SeatGeek will have them, but be prepared for the "rivalry tax." Prices for lower-deck seats usually start in the triple digits and stay there.
- Student Tickets: If you're a student at USC or Clemson, the lottery systems are notoriously competitive. Good luck.
Traffic in Clemson on game day is a special kind of hell. If you aren't in a tailgate spot by 9:00 AM, you’re basically watching the first quarter from your car on Highway 123. Seriously. Plan accordingly.
The Rivalry by the Numbers
It’s one of the longest-running rivalries in college football. We're talking since 1896.
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Clemson currently leads the all-time series 74–44–4. The Gamecocks had a legendary five-game win streak under Steve Spurrier, but the Tigers have largely dominated the modern era, including a seven-game stretch from 2014 to 2019.
But stats don't matter when the ball is kicked. It’s about the Palmetto Trophy. It’s about bragging rights at the office for the next 365 days.
What to Watch for in 2026
By the time November 2026 rolls around, the rosters will look vastly different. Recruiting classes from 2023 and 2024 will be the veteran leaders. We're looking at a transformed landscape in the SEC with Oklahoma and Texas fully integrated, and the ACC potentially looking a lot different too.
The game is more than just a date on a calendar. It's a cultural event. Whether you’re wearing Garnet or Orange, the 2026 Palmetto Bowl is already looming large.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Mark your digital calendar: Set an alert for November 28, 2026, so you don't accidentally book a wedding or a vacation.
- Check the 2025 Recap: Watch the highlights of the 28-14 Clemson victory to understand the defensive schemes that might carry over.
- Monitor Ticket Windows: Check the official athletic sites (ClemsonTigers.com and GamecocksOnline.com) starting in early 2026 for single-game availability.