South Carolina Has No Plans for a Spring Game for Second Year in a Row

Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer announced on Wednesday that it is unlikely that there will be a spring game for fans to see in 2026.

The University of South Carolina Spring football game took place at William-Brice Stadium on April 24, 2024. The team enters the stadium as fans cheer. | ALEX HICKS JR./STAFF / USA TODAY NETWORK

South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer confirms that there will be no spring game this offseason, per his Wednesday morning press conference.

Last year many teams around the country did away with spring games for one reason of another. For some a main talking surrounded the spring transfer portal window. Coaches like Nebraska's Matt Rhule didn't want teams having tape on their current roster in order to poach in as the spring portal opened.

"I hate to say it like this, but it's really because last year, we were one of the more televised spring games, and I dealt with a lot of people offering our players a lot of opportunities after that," Rhule said. "The word 'tampering' doesn't exist anymore, it's just absolute free, open, common market. And so, I don't necessarily want to open up to the outside world. I don't want these guys all being able to watch our guys and say, 'Wow, he looks like a pretty good player. Let's go get him.'"

Will Spring Games Return?

Apr 12, 2014; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks fullback Garrison Gist (43) attempts to catch the ball during the second half of the South Carolina spring game at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-Imagn Images | Joshua S. Kelly-Imagn Images

Now that there is no spring portal window, Beamer was asked if that game would be brought back for fans to see. Unfortunately for those looking to attend the game, it doesn't appear likely.

"I would not anticipate a spring game taking place in Williams-Brice Stadium because of the construction. But having said that, we've got the best fans in America and I always want to make sure we do right by our fans. Should have some more information on that as we go forward."

This will be the second year in a row where South Carolina fans will be unable to see their team in a spring game setting. As you can see in the quote above however, there is a possibility they could return. In the press conference, Beamer alluded to this cancelation stemming more from construction issues rather than a refusal to ever do the game again. College football fans around the country will have to wait and see if these games will be brought back in 2027 and beyond.

Ole Miss debuted a different style of fan engagement in the spring called "The Grove Bowl Games." Players competed in a slam dunk contest, hot dog eating contest with Joey Chestnut, and more. Perhaps more of this will be a way to replace spring games going forward.

Looking for more:

• LaNorris Sellers Faces an Uphill Climb to a First Round NFL Draft Selection in 2027
• From South Carolina to the Super Bowl: Three Former Gamecocks Look to Make History
• South Carolina's Shane Beamer Talks 2026 Recruiting Class, Coaching Additions, and More
• South Carolina Football: Recapping the Gamecocks Roster and Staff Additions
• South Carolina RB Rahsul Faison Receives NFL Combine Invite
• South Carolina Looking to Enforce a Buyout On a Transfer Player Per Report
• South Carolina Picks Up Commitment From a Top Long Snapper Prospect
• South Carolina Picks Up Missouri State OL Ebubedike Nnabugwu in the Transfer Portal
• UCF Wideout DJ Black Returns to South Carolina for Final Year of Eligibility

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