Image Credit: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
It’s been a busy news week for the South Carolina Gamecocks and amidst coaching hires and recruitment announcements. The school also announced that it will face Virginia Tech in the 2025 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.
The two teams will face off for the first time in 34 years with the game set to be played either Sunday, Aug. 31 or Monday, Sept. 1, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The game will be televised by either ABC or ESPN. An exact date and kick time will be finalized at a later date.
From the Front Office
“I appreciate Gary Stokan and Peach Bowl, Inc. for making this awesome opportunity available to us,” new South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer said in a press release issued by kickoff officials. “Any time you open a season in a premier event like the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game against a quality opponent like Virginia Tech, it’s exciting for our players, staff and fans and helps in our recruiting efforts. Having been part of this game before, I know it’s run in a first-class manner and we’re happy to be a part of it.”
South Carolina athletic director Ray Tanner echoed these sentiments.
“We are excited to open our 2025 season against Virginia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game,” he said. “It will give our program an opportunity to play in one of the best early season showcases in college football. I know our fans will enjoy this classic non-conference contest in a first-class stadium as we compete for ‘The Old Leather Helmet’ trophy.”
Past and Future Chick-fil-A Kickoff Match-ups
Year: Match-Up: Winner:
2008 (9) Clemson vs. (24) Alabama Alabama, 34-10
2009 (5) Alabama vs. (7) Virginia Tech Alabama, 34-24
2010 (16) LSU vs. (18) North Carolina LSU, 30-24
2011 (5) Boise State vs. (19) Georgia Boise State, 35-21
2012 (25) N.C. State vs. Tennessee Tennessee, 35-21
2012 (14) Clemson vs. (24) Auburn Clemson, 26-19
2013 (1) Alabama vs. Virginia Tech Alabama, 35-10
2014 (18) Ole Miss vs. Boise State Ole Miss, 35-13
2014 (2) Alabama vs. West Virginia Alabama, 33-23
2015 (25) Louisville vs. (6) Auburn Auburn, 31-24
2016 (18) Georgia vs. (22) North Carolina Georgia, 33-24
2017 (3) Florida State vs. (1) Alabama Alabama, 24-7
2017 (25) Tennessee vs. Georgia Tech Tennessee, 42-41 (2 OT)
2018 (6) Washington vs. (9) Auburn Auburn, 21-16
2019 (2) Alabama vs. Duke Alabama, 42-3
2021 Alabama vs. Miami
2021 Louisville vs. Ole Miss
2022 Oregon vs. Georgia
2022 Clemson vs. Georgia Tech
2023 Louisville vs. Georgia Tech
2024 Georgia vs. Clemson
2025 Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina