COLUMBIA, S.C. — The University of South Carolina is telling fans to expect additional traffic congestion for Saturday’s football game against Clemson and to plan accordingly.
The contest has added attention this week because former President Donald Trump, who’s running for the GOP presidential nomination, is attending.
Wednesday night the school sent out information for fans ahead of the game. While it does not mention the Trump visit, the school said that officials anticipate “additional traffic congestion starting at 6 p.m.”
USC says all parking lots will open early at 1:30 p.m. to allow more time for fans to get to their parking sport. The Gamecock Walk, where USC players and coaches enter the stadium while greeting fans, will take place at 5:30 p.m. as normal.
Gamecock Park, Woodstock, Armory, LMC Fair Park lots are all sold out, according to the school. Game day parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for $40 (credit card only) in The State Newspaper lot, located at 1401 Shop Rd.
Trump’s visit is part of his ongoing campaign as he seeks to regain the White House. His first major step is to win his party’s nomination, and one of the first major contests will be the February 24 South Carolina Republican primary.
Trump’s last public event in Columbia was a speech in August at the annual Silver Elephant Dinner, an annual gathering of South Carolina Republicans. He kicked off his bid to regain the White House back in January with a stop both in Columbia at the State House and in New Hampshire.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, and Sen. Lindsey Graham will be joining Trump for his visit. Trump’s campaign has not said if he will be part of any pregame or game activities.
Kickoff is set for 7:39 p.m. at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.