Gameday: Football vs. North Carolina • Sept. 19 • 12 p.m. • ESPN

HEAT MANAGEMENT

• Fans may bring in one clear unopened bottle of water (20 oz. or less)
• Fans may refill water bottles at fountains throughout the Stadium
• Fans encouraged to begin hydrating before arrival
• Cool Zones available on both ends of the upper deck
• Misting fans in lower deck are operational
• Sunscreen is permitted
• Bottles of water are available at concession stands for $3 

 

• 2026 Media Guide (PDF)
• 2026 Media Guide Supplement (PDF)

After splitting two non-conference games to open the season, Clemson will begin conference play on Saturday, Sept. 19, when the Tigers host the North Carolina Tar Heels. Kickoff at Memorial Stadium in Clemson is set for noon ET on ESPN.

Saturday's game will mark exactly 84 years since Clemson christened Memorial Stadium with a 32- 13 win against Presbyterian on Sept. 19, 1942. Head Coach Frank Howard personally supervised the stadium's build, helping lay the sod for a playing surface that years later would come to bear his name.

"We hung the gates at 1 p.m. and kicked off at 2 p.m.," Howard once said with a chuckle.

Years later, the stadium would be nicknamed Death Valley by Lonnie McMillian, the head coach of the Presbyterian squad that became the venue's inaugural victim. In the 84 years since its opening, the venue has become one of college football's most iconic. Last week, Clemson completed its 450th all-time run down The Hill, though the pomp and circumstance surrounding the entrance did not grow into its current spectacle until a few decades later

WHAT TO WATCH FOR THIS WEEK

• Clemson hosting a home game 84 years to the date following the opening of Memorial Stadium on Sept. 19, 1942. Butch Butler gained 192 yards, as the Tigers opened the new stadium in front of an announced crowd of 5,500 with a 32-13 win over Presbyterian.
• Clemson attempting to earn its 350th all-time win at Memorial Stadium since the facility opened in 1942. Clemson is 349-110-7 all-time in the venue.
• Clemson attempting to improve to 42-19-1 against North Carolina all-time. With a win, Clemson’s 42 wins against North Carolina would move past its 41 wins against Virginia for sole possession of the Tigers’ fifthmost against a single opponent in school history.