Why Clemson’s Matchup With LSU Is a Game of Firsts in Death Valley

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jeremy Lockett | Last updated Aug 28, 2025 7:00 AM ET

Dabo Swinney had his trademark grin ready when asked about one of the biggest changes coming to Memorial Stadium this fall: alcohol sales.

“It may be the first time they’re selling it, but it’s not the first time it’ll be in there,” Swinney quipped, drawing laughs before Clemson’s season opener against LSU.

Clemson Fans Get New Game Day Experience

Fans will be able to purchase alcohol at Clemson football games, beginning with the No. 4 Tigers highly anticipated clash with No. 9 LSU on Aug. 30 (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC).

The move comes after a limited test run during the spring game in April, with the athletic department announcing in May that designated stands and kiosks will now sell beer and other beverages inside Death Valley.

Clemson was one of just three Power Four programs — along with Utah and BYU — that resisted stadium alcohol sales until this year.

The Tigers also previously turned down sponsorship revenue from alcohol brands, making them an outlier among top programs. Luxury suites at Memorial Stadium and Littlejohn Coliseum were the lone exceptions before the policy change.

Dabo Swinney Not Convinced It Changes Much

Still, Swinney doesn’t expect the new addition to alter the atmosphere much. He joked that fans have long taken advantage of Memorial Stadium’s re-entry policy, which allows ticket holders to leave and return if they have a re-entry voucher. “I’m sure they ain’t all bringing Diet Coke back in,” he said.

The LSU matchup is already sold out, with more than 81,000 fans set to pack into Death Valley. In addition to the alcohol rollout, Tiger faithful will also see changes to another long-standing tradition.

The ACC’s updated storming policy means the postgame “Gathering at the Paw” will now take place only after Clemson’s alma mater has finished.

Between a top-10 showdown, a fresh fan experience, and new rules for one of college football’s most unique traditions, Clemson’s opener against LSU will mark a night of firsts at Memorial Stadium.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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