South Carolina football planning for full capacity, tailgating for 2021 season

Add the South Carolina Gamecocks to the growing list of football programs returning to normalcy this fall following a season altered by COVID-19 health and safety guidelines. 

The South Carolina Athletics Department announced Wednesday it is planning for both full capacity and tailgating areas at Williams-Brice Stadium for the 2021 season. Additionally, approved face coverings, such as masks, will no longer be required. 

"Fans will be able to enjoy all of the game-day traditions as in previous years," athletic director Ray Tanner said in the prepared statement. 

South Carolina begins the campaign Sept. 4 with a home game versus the Eastern Illinois Panthers. 

According to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), South Carolina limited attendance last season to roughly 20,000 fans because of concerns linked with the coronavirus pandemic. Vaccine rollouts and decreasing infection rates have allowed MLB clubs to loosen or eliminate mask mandates and capacity restrictions either before or soon after the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, depending on the team, and it's believed all NFL franchises will return to 100% capacity by Week 1 of the regular season.