Frank Howard Field at Memorial Stadium — better known as “Death Valley” — sits in a natural valley on the western edge of Clemson University’s campus in Clemson, South Carolina. Opened on September 19, 1942, the stadium was dedicated to Clemson men who gave their lives in military service. What began as a 20,000-seat bowl built for just $125,000 grew through successive expansions into one of the largest on-campus football stadiums in the United States, reaching its current capacity of 81,500.
Home to the Clemson Tigers of the Atlantic Coast Conference, Memorial Stadium consistently ranks among the most intimidating venues in college football. Its all-time home winning percentage exceeds 76 percent, and for 45 consecutive seasons the Tigers ranked in the national top 20 for average home attendance. In 2017 it was rated the No. 1 college football stadium experience in the country, and the thunderous atmosphere has become as much a part of Clemson’s identity as its orange and purple colors.
Stats at a Glance
- Team: Clemson Tigers (ACC)
- Location: Clemson, South Carolina
- Opened: September 19, 1942
- Capacity: 81,500
- Surface: Tifway 419 Bermuda Grass
- Conference Standing: Largest stadium in the ACC
- Original Construction Cost: $125,000 (approx. $6.25 per seat)
Clemson Memorial Stadium Gameday Guide (2026 Season)
- Bag policy: Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag up to 12″ x 6″ x 12″, a one-gallon clear freezer bag, or a small clutch no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″.
- Gates open: Memorial Stadium opens to the public 2 hours before kickoff.
- Parking: Clemson is not selling general admission football parking for 2026. Lots open at 6 a.m. for kickoffs before 12:30 p.m. and 8 a.m. for later kickoffs.
- Tailgating: Reserved lots are cleared starting 12:01 a.m. on game day Saturdays. Check the official parking rules for tailgating details.
- Payments: All concession locations take debit and credit cards, and the official page lists no ATMs on site.
- Re-entry: Re-entry requires a re-entry voucher from the stadium gates and a valid mobile ticket.
Policies checked against the official team and stadium pages in September 2026. Rules can change game to game, so confirm on the official Clemson football game day guide and the official 2026 single-game parking options before you go.
Clemson Memorial Stadium Bag Policy (2026)
The official game day information lists three allowed bag types. These are a clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc or similar), and a small clutch no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″. The official page says an exception to the clear bag policy is made for medically necessary items after security screening. Fans with medical conditions or discomfort can request alternative screening from event staff.
The official prohibited list reads: alcoholic beverages, artificial noisemakers, backpacks, large bags of any kind, banners, chairbacks with arms, coolers, flags, flagpoles, food and beverages from outside, umbrellas, video cameras and weapons of any kind. Walkthrough metal detectors are at all stadium entrances. The official page does not list a bag check location, so plan to leave anything oversized at home or in your vehicle.
Gates and Entry
Per the official game day information, “Memorial Stadium will open to the public 2-hours prior to kickoff.” Concession stands also open two hours before kickoff.
Fans may leave and re-enter only with a re-entry voucher obtained at the stadium gates and a valid mobile ticket.
Parking at Clemson Memorial Stadium
For 2026, Clemson Parking and Transportation Services is not selling general admission football parking passes. Reserved parking is assigned by IPTAY membership level and priority points. The official page has an interactive football parking map that shows lots by giving level.
The official single-game options for 2026 are:
Douthit Hills (R-10) is an IPTAY paid lot with 250 spaces, at Old Greenville Highway and Newman Rd. Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster.
The Stacks is a premium tailgating package, sold at revelxp.com/teams/clemson/booking.
Lower Kite Hill is free, with a gravel entrance off Newman Rd across from IPTAY Lot 16.
Seneca Creek Meadows is free general public parking. The official page describes its shuttle as running to Doug Kingsmore Stadium, so check the official page for football shuttle details before relying on it.
About 20 private properties offer pay-to-park. Contact details are on the official single-game page.
The City of Clemson’s parking garages on Keith Street and Fendley Street have approximately 220 spaces, first-come, first-served, at a $40 all-day special event rate. Parking starts at 7 a.m. on the designated Saturdays, and cars must leave before 4 a.m. because overnight enforcement begins then.
Per the official football parking rules, “Parking lots open at 6 a.m. for games that kick off before 12:30 p.m. and 8 a.m. for all later kickoff times.” Parked vehicles must be moved two hours after home games conclude.
For accessible parking, the official game day page says the entrance to the ADA lot is off Hwy 93 on Calhoun Drive near Tillman Hall and Sikes Hall. The official parking rules say ADA shuttles run from the Sikes Hall parking lot to the stadium starting three hours before kickoff. The official pages do not list RV parking for regular home games, so check the official parking page.
Tailgating Rules
Reserved lots and areas are cleared beginning at 12:01 a.m. on game day Saturdays, and vehicles left behind are towed at the owner’s expense. Some areas are designated only for University employees, and no tailgating is permitted there. The official football parking rules page does not list grill, tent, or alcohol rules for tailgating, so check the official gameday and parking pages before you pack. The official game day page also mentions a recycling program with green bags: fill one with bottles, cans and glass, or take them to the orange dumpsters.
Getting to Clemson Memorial Stadium
Golf cart shuttles are available throughout the athletic district beginning four hours before kickoff, and they serve designated pickup locations marked with tall, white and blue poles. The official football parking rules say the Red Route runs with a route deviation to avoid College Avenue and Sikes Hall, and that the only on-campus bus stop is Cherry Road at Bryan Circle.
Food and Drink
Outside food and beverages are prohibited, with one exception: the official page says fans may bring in one clear unopened bottle of water. Bottles of water are also sold at concession stands for $3, and concessions stay open through the end of the fourth quarter.
Alcohol service ends after the third quarter. No more than two alcoholic beverages may be sold or served per transaction. Valid ID is required for purchases, and vertical IDs are not accepted regardless of age. All concession locations take debit and credit cards, and the official page lists no ATMs on site.
Clemson Memorial Stadium Gameday FAQ
What is the bag policy at Clemson Memorial Stadium? Allowed bags are a clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag up to 12″ x 6″ x 12″, a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag, or a clutch no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″. Medically necessary items are exempt after security screening. Backpacks, large bags, coolers, flags and umbrellas are prohibited.
When do gates open at Clemson Memorial Stadium? The stadium opens to the public 2 hours before kickoff.
Where can I park for a game at Clemson Memorial Stadium? Clemson is not selling general admission football parking for 2026. Single-game options listed on the official page include the Douthit Hills (R-10) IPTAY paid lot, The Stacks premium tailgate, free Lower Kite Hill parking, free Seneca Creek Meadows parking, private pay-to-park lots, and City of Clemson garages on Keith Street and Fendley Street at $40 for the day.
Can you tailgate at Clemson Memorial Stadium? Tailgating happens in the game day parking lots, and reserved lots are cleared starting 12:01 a.m. on Saturdays. Areas designated only for University employees do not allow tailgating. The official football parking rules page does not list specific rules for grills, tents or alcohol, so check the official gameday and parking pages before your visit.
Death Valley Traditions
The stadium earned the nickname “Death Valley” in the late 1940s when Presbyterian College head coach Lonnie McMillian, frustrated by his team’s inability to win there, reportedly called it a place where teams go to die. The name stuck, and today it conjures images of a hostile, deafening atmosphere that has rattled opponents for more than eight decades.
The most celebrated pre-game ritual in college football unfolds here every home Saturday. Players descend a grassy hill at the stadium’s east end, pause to rub Howard’s Rock — a chunk of flint brought from Death Valley, California, by legendary coach Frank Howard — then sprint onto the field to an eruption of crowd noise that regularly exceeds 100 decibels. The playing surface itself was formally named Frank Howard Field in 1974 to honor the coach who shaped the program’s identity.
From $125,000 Bowl to ACC’s Largest Stadium
When Memorial Stadium opened in 1942, it held roughly 20,000 spectators and cost $125,000 to construct. Over the following decades, Clemson transformed it through successive expansions: approximately 18,000 sideline seats were added in 1958, a west end zone section followed in 1960 pushing capacity to around 53,000, and upper decks on the south and north sides in 1978 and 1983 broke the 80,000-seat barrier.
More recent projects have kept the stadium competitive in the modern era. A WestZone addition before the 2006 season introduced luxury seating, and a sweeping 2022 renovation delivered a massive new videoboard nicknamed the “DaboTron” (126 feet wide by 56.5 feet tall), LED lighting, and an expanded club space. Today, Memorial Stadium stands as the largest venue in the ACC and one of the 25 largest on-campus football stadiums in the country.
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Memorial Stadium (Clemson) FAQs
Why is Memorial Stadium called Death Valley?
The nickname was coined in the late 1940s by Presbyterian College head coach Lonnie McMillian, who grew so frustrated by his team’s inability to win at Clemson that he referred to the stadium as “Death Valley.” The colorful name caught on and is now one of the most recognized venue nicknames in all of college football.
What is Howard’s Rock at Memorial Stadium?
Howard’s Rock is a piece of white flint from Death Valley, California, that was given to legendary Clemson coach Frank Howard. It sits atop the hill at the east end zone, and players touch it for good luck before running down the hill onto the field before every home game — a tradition that traces back to the 1960s.
What is the seating capacity of Memorial Stadium?
Memorial Stadium has an official seating capacity of 81,500, making it the largest stadium in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Attendance has surpassed 86,000 on notable occasions when standing-room tickets are included.
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Photo: Daderot / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.