Memorial Stadium (Clemson): Guide for Visiting Fans

The hard truth first: there is no rail transit to Clemson. This is a small college town in the Upstate of South Carolina, and your realistic options are driving, rideshare, or the campus bus system.

By air, your closest gateway is Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), about 40 miles east and roughly 45 minutes by car, with service from major carriers including Delta, American, United, and Southwest. A rental car is required from GSP — no transit connection exists — though rideshare runs roughly $40–$55. If you're flying into a major hub, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) is about 140 miles southwest and roughly 2 hours by car — the closest major hub for long-haul flights — and a rental car is the only practical option.

By road, most fans approach on US-123 from I-85, or SC-93 from Greenville. Once on campus, the free Clemson Area Transit bus system, known as the CATbus, is a highly effective way to get around, and the CATbus Red Route is a popular way to get around campus and downtown on game day, running completely free of charge.

Uber and Lyft operate in the Clemson area but availability is extremely limited on game days. Expect $10–$15 from downtown Clemson hotels. From Greenville, rideshare is not practical — drive. Post-game rides are nearly impossible; plan to wait or walk.

Parking at Death Valley is a caste system, and you are not in the top caste. The core parking surrounding the stadium is strictly reserved for IPTAY members — to qualify for a primary space, fans must make an "Orange Level" donation of at least $500 and purchase two season tickets. Key lots include Lot 2 (Shaw Family Lot), Lot 5 (Rogers Family Lot) at just 0.3 miles away, Lot 6 (Cox Family Lot), and Lot 10 at 0.4 miles away.

If you want to buy onto the secondary market, know that if you do not have season passes, you must buy on the secondary market (StubHub, SeatGeek), with passes averaging $242 — ranging from $112 for lesser non-conference games to $679+ for marquee matchups. The smarter move for away fans is to park off-campus and use the CATbus. Parking lots open at 6 a.m. for games that kick off before 12:30 p.m. and 8 a.m. for all later kickoff times.

Arrive early regardless. By 3 hours before kickoff, good secondary spots are gone and you'll be hiking. Budget fans: residential streets just north of campus near the Hendrix Student Center area fill up fast but are free — just watch for posted restrictions.

Clemson is a small town, and hotels book up almost a year in advance for sporting events. The absolute best option for away fans who want to walk to the game is downtown Clemson on College Avenue, but understand that rooms there get snapped up early and premiums are real.

If you're looking to stay within walking distance of the stadium, in the heart of gameday madness, and want a luxury spot, The Shepherd Hotel is the place — as you walk in you're greeted warmly, Delish Sisters restaurant is on the main level, and there's a rooftop bar with views of the main street. It is pricey and has a minimum stay requirement on game weekends, but the walk to the stadium is unbeatable.

Budget travelers should look at the Hampton Inn, Courtyard by Marriott, or the Holiday Inn Express in the Clemson University area — all within a few miles. If those are full, the Seneca and Anderson areas (10–15 minutes by car) offer chain hotel options at more reasonable rates. Book by August for any fall home game.

The Esso Club — This is the one. The Esso Club is a Clemson institution — originally a 1920s gas station, it was transformed into a bar and grill that now stands as one of the most iconic sports bars in the South. Situated within sight of Memorial Stadium, it has been a staple of the Clemson bar scene for decades, and while the food is pretty good, you really come here for the experience — Clemson memorabilia adorning the walls and the classic bar environment make it a great place for pre- and post-game.

Tiger Town Tavern — Tiger Town Tavern opened its doors in 1977 as a "beer-only" pool hall and has since expanded into three adjacent buildings, becoming a favorite hangout for locals and students. They offer daily food and drink specials and have plenty of TVs to keep up with all the college football action. Ask about the pickletini — a pickle martini that is exactly as polarizing as it sounds, and worth trying once.

Backstreets — Backstreets is known for its superb bar food, strong drinks, and festive atmosphere, with great daily deals and attentive bar staff. Wings and burgers are the move here. It gets packed with students, but the energy is good and they can handle a crowd.

Rick Erwin's — For the away fan who wants to escape the orange for a moment and have a proper dinner, Rick Erwin's Clemson is a top-notch dining destination featuring southern staples like fried green tomatoes, seafood, steak, and local favorites, with an elegant and chic urban dining experience nestled in Clemson's Patrick Square. Reserve in advance on game weekends.

While the surrounding area offers plenty of pre-game options, the stadium itself has no shortage of food and drink.

Concession stands open two hours prior to kickoff and remain open through the end of the fourth quarter. As of the 2025 season, Memorial Stadium now offers alcohol sales at designated Aramark concession stands and kiosks. All concession stands within the stadium have transitioned to fully cashless transactions. There are no ATMs — bring a card.

Fan-friendly pricing of $3 water is still in effect , which is genuinely unusual and appreciated. Standard concession pricing runs roughly $5–7 for a hot dog or basic fare, and beer prices starting at the stadium typically run $8–12 depending on the brand and location — expect the higher end for craft options. The concessions partner is Aramark, and the staples lean Southern: pulled pork sandwiches, loaded nachos, and boiled peanuts are around the stadium. Boiled peanuts are a South Carolina rite of passage — order them. The "DaboTron" video board is hard to miss, and the concourse layouts on both the north and south are serviceable without being spectacular. There are two newer concessions areas as a result of construction in the west zone.

Clemson University has implemented a Clear Bag Policy at Memorial Stadium since the 2016 football season. Permitted bags include those that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12"×6"×12", or a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc or similar). Small clutch bags, approximately the size of a hand (no larger than 4.5"×6.5"), with or without a handle or strap are also permitted.

Memorial Stadium opens to the public 2 hours prior to kickoff. All lower deck ticketholders must enter at Gates 1, 5, 7, 9, 11, or 13. Top Deck ticketholders must enter via the ramps, located behind the North and South stands (South – Gate 16 / North – Gate 20).

For away fans specifically: visiting team will call is located at Gate 9. Head there first if you have tickets to collect. All persons entering the facility are required to pass through walk-through metal detectors, though fans who have a relevant medical condition or do not feel comfortable can notify event staff and participate in an alternative screening process. Arrive 90 minutes before kickoff minimum — lines at the gates back up badly in the final 30 minutes.

Entrances at Gates 1, 5, and 13 serve those who need ADA assistance. The entrance to the ADA lot is off Hwy 93 on Calhoun Drive near Tillman Hall and Sikes Hall. Golf cart shuttles are available throughout the athletic district beginning four hours prior to kickoff, dropping patrons at their assigned gate or the ticket office, with pickup locations marked by tall white and blue poles.

Memorial Stadium provides wheelchair and companion seating — visit Guest Services for assistance. Accessible seating is available near the top of most sections around the stadium, and folding seats are supplied when needed so companions of wheelchair users can sit together. Clemson Athletics has partnered with KultureCity to make all its venues sensory inclusive, promoting an accommodating and positive experience for all guests with sensory issues. A Mamava lactation pod, presented by Novant Health, has also been installed to support nursing mothers, underscoring Clemson's commitment to an inclusive environment.

There is no dedicated away section at Death Valley — visiting fans are scattered throughout, typically concentrated in the upper-deck south side (Sections TDS) and parts of the lower south sideline. If you want neighbors who share your rooting interest, check secondary market listings in the south upper deck, where visiting fans tend to cluster by default.

Prime seating is found in sections G–D and N–Q from row J upwards, offering ample elevation for a full-field view, centered between the 30-yard lines, ideal for game watching. As an away fan, aim for the south sideline lower deck between the 20-yard lines — you'll get a clean view of the Hill entrance and both end zones. Avoid the east end zone lower rows if sightlines matter; you're looking straight down the field and the pregame run comes directly at you, which is exciting but not ideal for watching the game.

Upper deck angles offer panoramic views of the Blue Ridge foothills on a clear day that are genuinely beautiful, and the noise is somehow even louder up there. Don't cheap out on the very back rows of the Top Deck — the aluminum benches are steep and the sun exposure at noon kickoffs is brutal.

With seating sorted, away fans should also know what to expect once they arrive at Death Valley.

Death Valley is loud in a way that's personal — it "really lives up to its image," and when you put 80,000 people in there, it really feels like they're on top of you. As an away fan, the Clemson crowd is passionate but not typically hostile in the threatening sense — they're just loud, orange, and utterly convinced of their team's righteousness. You'll get chirped, you'll get stared at, and during the pregame Hill run you'll watch 81,500 people absolutely lose their minds in unison. Here's the thing nobody tells you: the sound doesn't just come from the crowd — the bowl shape funnels it downward, and even up in the Top Deck the noise hits you physically. Visiting quarterbacks have said you genuinely cannot hear the person standing next to you. That's not marketing copy; it's structural.

Driving: The roads around campus lock up hard immediately after the final whistle. After the game, traffic can be a mess depending on the outcome and how many fans are leaving at once. The move is to either leave with 4 minutes to go in the fourth quarter (painful, but effective), or wait 45–60 minutes in the stadium or at a nearby bar before attempting the lots. Lot 5 (Rogers Family Lot) clears faster than interior lots because of its access to SC-93; if you're parked further from campus on the periphery, you'll hit the main flow later. Realistically, plan 60–90 minutes to reach a freely moving road after a prime-time game.

CATbus: The Red Route runs post-game, but this is where strategy matters. Most casual fans pile up at the Sonic drive-in bus stop. The insider move is to walk to the Bojangles stop instead — it's located just up the route before Sonic. Because of massive post-game crowding, CATbus drivers frequently bypass the Sonic stop entirely, pull up to Bojangles, fill every seat instantly, and roll past Sonic as hundreds of waiting fans are left stranded. Walk the extra two minutes. It's the single best piece of Death Valley transit advice you'll find.

Rideshare: Post-game rides are nearly impossible; plan to wait or walk. If you need a rideshare, walk at least 10 minutes away from the stadium toward downtown College Avenue — surge pricing drops meaningfully once you're out of the immediate stadium radius, and driver availability improves. Expect a 30–45 minute wait after any big game even after the walk.

Opinionated tip: Stay for the alma mater if you want the full experience, then walk toward the Esso Club instead of fighting traffic. Let the lots drain for an hour, have a beer, and leave when the roads are moving.

Is there public transit to Memorial Stadium?

There is no rail transit. The free CATbus system, specifically the Red Route, is the best transit option on game day. Driving or rideshare from Greenville is the most common approach for away fans.

What is the bag policy at Memorial Stadium?

Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags not exceeding 12"×6"×12" are permitted, as are one-gallon Ziploc-style bags and small clutch bags no larger than 4.5"×6.5". No backpacks, totes, or opaque bags of any kind.

How much does parking cost near Memorial Stadium? Most IPTAY lots are unavailable to general fans. On average, parking passes cost around $143.85 through secondary markets — but prices swing wildly by opponent. Off-campus free parking in residential areas exists if you arrive early enough.

What are the best seats for away fans at Memorial Stadium? There's no designated visiting section. Aim for the south side upper deck where visiting fans tend to self-sort, or lower south sideline sections between the 20-yard lines for good all-around sightlines.

What time do gates open at Memorial Stadium?

Memorial Stadium opens to the public 2 hours prior to kickoff. Arrive at least 90 minutes before kickoff to clear security without queuing in a crushing line.

Is Memorial Stadium cashless? Yes. All concession stands have transitioned to fully cashless transactions. Memorial Stadium does not have ATM machines. Bring a credit or debit card.

Is alcohol sold inside Memorial Stadium?

Yes — alcohol will be sold beginning in the 2025 football season. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at designated Aramark concession stands and kiosks.

Where should visiting team fans pick up will-call tickets?

Visiting team will call is located at Gate 9. Plan accordingly — it's on the north side of the stadium.