A New Era for Tiger Tailgating
Clemson University is set to roll out a new premium tailgating concept called The Stacks for the 2026 football season, marking a strategic shift toward high‑end hospitality for fans.
The Stacks will occupy a newly created greenspace on the former motor‑pool site behind the Swann Fitness Center, adjacent to the Scroll of Honor Memorial Park, providing a dedicated area for elevated game‑day gatherings.
Two tiered packages will be offered: the $19,650 “Club” tier can accommodate up to 40 guests with a 20‑by‑20‑foot tent, three six‑foot tables, twenty chairs, three cocktail tables, four 120‑quart coolers stocked with ice, and a 43‑inch television; the $5,025 “Varsity” tier caps at 10 guests with a 10‑by‑10‑foot tent, a single six‑foot table, five chairs and one cooler.
Michael Drake, chief executive of Clemson Ventures, said the initiative adds a premium hospitality option while preserving the energy and culture that define Clemson football game days.
The announcement follows a 7‑6 overall record for the Tigers in 2025, their second‑worst finish in coach Dabo Swinney’s 17‑year tenure, and a 3‑4 home record at Memorial Stadium — the first losing home slate since 1998.
Clemson has been exploring a range of revenue‑generating ideas in recent years, from name‑image‑likeness deals and a student athletics fee to hosting the Savannah Bananas, concerts and, more recently, permitting alcohol sales at sporting events.