Ashleigh Snyder
Clemson Athletics announced a multitude of gameday updates that fans should know before the 2025 football season.
The upcoming 2025 football season will boast many new additions to Clemson’s traditional gameday at Memorial Stadium, changing the experience and culture for every student and fan.
Alcohol sales and safety
One of the first major aspects of the football season that has caught the attention of fans and students is the addition of alcohol sales to those over the age of 21 years old. Previously, alcohol consumption was prohibited during games.
After beginning to sell alcohol during the spring at events such as the spring football game, various baseball and softball games and the Savannah Bananas game, the University and Clemson Athletics decided to sell alcohol consistently at Death Valley. Alcoholic beverages will be sold at different Aramark stands.
According to Clemson Athletics’ alcohol policies, if a student wants to buy alcohol, they must have a horizontal ID; vertical IDs will not be accepted. Additionally, an individual who is visibly intoxicated will not be served, no more than two alcoholic beverages will be allowed to an individual during a singular transaction and the stadium will not serve alcohol after the conclusion of the third quarter.
Designated driver program
Along with the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Clemson Athletics and Aramark have created a designated driver program.
With the addition of alcohol sales at various concessions, safety will always remain a priority. Signing up for the designated driver program has different perks, including securing complementary non-alcoholic beverages at each football game.
Gathering at the Paw
A unique and important tradition for each Clemson fan is uniting at the paw at the end of each game to either celebrate an exciting win or come together after a loss. This tradition will continue to live on, though with some alterations.
Beginning this football season, fans attending the game will need to wait until the singing of the Alma Mater is finished to rush the field. This change is a response to the ACC’s new policies to improve sportsmanship.
The revised sportsmanship policy will be fining “schools for spectators entering the field of play prior to the visiting team’s exit,” according to Clemson Athletics.
The fines can get up to $200,000 per occurrence.
Cashless transactions
Upon entering Death Valley, fans may notice shorter and quicker lines at the concessions stands. This is due to the fact that cash will no longer be accepted when buying food or drinks. Fans will now need to use entirely cashless forms of payment.
Handrails
Handrails have also been added to the lower deck section, ensuring and improving students’ safety and gameday experience.
Single-game experiences
Athletics will offer single-game experiences to its fans, which include personalized scoreboard messages and opportunities to take pictures with Howard’s Rock.
Novant Health Mamava lactation pod
To support nursing mothers, a new Mama lactation pod has been installed to provide a private location for mothers to breastfeed and tend to their children.
Kulture City Sensory Certified Venue
“Clemson Athletics has partnered with KultureCity to become the first collegiate program to be Sensory Certified in all venues, ensuring all the programs and events that those venues host are sensory-inclusive,” the Clemson Athletics website states.
Athletics wanted to ensure a “supportive atmosphere for fans with sensory sensitivities” and will carry “sensory bags, noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards and strobe reduction glasses,” according to Clemson Athletics. These items can be found at Guest Services.
Fans will be informed of any further updates as the upcoming season approaches.