The South Carolina Gamecocks and head coach Shane Beamer are looking to start fresh in Columbia after a 4-8 season. As the Gamecocks are set to begin fall camp this week, South Carolina is one step away from getting the 2026 season underway.
On Monday, On3 Sports' Brett McMurphy posted information about various college football teams partnering with Costco Wholesale Markets to sell home game tickets. South Carolina is one of several programs participating, as well as Washington, Tulane, Florida Atlantic, Temple and UConn:
Costco selling discounted tickets for South Carolina, Washington, Louisville, Tulane, FAU, Temple & UConn home games + other teams. Tickets vary b/w $11.99 (all FAU home games) to $202.99 (Indiana at Washington; Penn State at UW). Some include $20 food/beverage credit or parking
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 3, 2026
Per McMurphy, ticket prices varied depending on which program you bought them for per Costco.
College football fans turn Costco South Carolina tickets into a punchline
Of course, fans on social media had a field day with the news:
South Carolina so bad they had to use Costco to fill up seats https://t.co/BjyrYMOiAZ
— Marcel “Gingerbread Man” Reed (@MReed14005) August 2, 2026
USC Jr truly a poverty program lolllll
— Adam Smith (@TheAdamSmith76) August 3, 2026
South Carolina resorting to Costco for ticket sales lmao. I thought “it means more”
— pdawg (@pantherbuckeye1) August 3, 2026
On the one hand, fans might see South Carolina tickets being sold at Costco along with seemingly lesser college football programs to be a new low for the team, especially coming off of a 4-8 season. But to be fair, South Carolina first partnered with Costco before the 2025 season, after Coach Beamer's 9-4 season in Columbia. That same year, Costco also partnered with programs like Purdue, Virginia, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Louisiana, Western Michigan, Kennesaw State and Idaho:
Costco selling discounted 2 ticket packages for South Carolina, Purdue, Louisville, Virginia, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Tulane, UConn, Louisiana, Western Michigan, Kennesaw State & Idaho home games. Varies b/w $49.99 to $99.99. Some include $20 food/beverage credit or parking pass pic.twitter.com/DG8bitq5HA
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 31, 2025
While of course, the joke writes itself—"South Carolina football was forced to sell tickets through Costco after a 4-8 season." But since the Gamecocks had partnered with Costco to sell tickets before last season, it's likely that these same tickets were reserved for purchase ahead of the 2026 season. South Carolina also previously partnered with Costco for ticket vouchers during the 2022 season.
Not to mention the fact that college football tickets have skyrocketed in the last decade, even before factoring in parking, food and beverage and other expenses that come with attending games. Per McMurphy, the $79.99 includes food and beverage packages, as well as parking in some cases.
According to Seat Geek, tickets to South Carolina's home game against Tennessee starts at $192 a pop. Tickets to the home game against Texas A&M on Nov. 7 start at $134, with the most expensive ticket being the Georgia game on Nov. 21, which starts at $171. Costco's deal for $160 for two tickets including parking and food and drinks is pretty great a deal, all things considering.
But of course, college football fandom does not care about specifics when it comes to dunking on other programs. It's no secret that 2026 is a do-or-die season when it comes to South Carolina and head coach Shane Beamer. Although there is optimism with the changes Beamer made to the coaching staff, including the hiring of offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, the Gamecocks have to navigate a tough schedule this year. Just a few days before fall camp, there are also major question marks around the health status of offensive tackle Jacarrius Peak and EDGE rusher Dylan Stewart.
South Carolina opens the 2026 season at home against Kent State on Sept. 5. Kickoff is set for 12:45 p.m. ET.
ALSO READ: South Carolina battling rival Clemson for 4-star 2028 OL Sam Walker
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