South Carolina Cancels Home Game vs. ACC Opponent

Gamecocks and NC State mutually agree to scrap future home-and-home series

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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South Carolina and NC State have mutually agreed to cancel a future home-and-home football series that was scheduled to begin in 2030 in Columbia, with the return game in Raleigh in 2031. The decision comes as both the SEC and ACC are moving to a nine-conference game schedule, reducing the number of non-conference matchups.

Why it matters

The cancellation of the South Carolina-NC State series reflects a broader trend in college football toward fewer competitive non-conference games, as schools prioritize 'money games' against smaller opponents. This shift is driven by conference scheduling changes and uncertainty around the future of the ACC.

The details

South Carolina athletic director Jeremiah Donati and North Carolina State athletic director Boo Corrigan agreed to mutually cancel the future home-and-home series in December 2025. Since the decision was mutual, neither school will pay a penalty fee. The move comes as both the SEC and ACC are increasing conference games from 8 to 9, leaving teams with only 3 non-conference slots. Many view the first two non-conference games as 'padded scrimmages' against smaller programs.

  • The home-and-home series was originally scheduled to start in 2030 in Columbia, with the return game in Raleigh in 2031.
  • The mutual decision to cancel the series was made in December 2025.

The players

Jeremiah Donati

The athletic director of the University of South Carolina.

Boo Corrigan

The athletic director of North Carolina State University.

Shane Beamer

The head football coach of the University of South Carolina.

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What they’re saying

“NC State and South Carolina mutually agreed to cancel a future home-and-home, according to an open records request.”

— Noah Fleischman, Reporter (The Wolfpacker)

What’s next

With the NC State series cancelled, South Carolina coach Shane Beamer can now focus on preparing his team for the upcoming season. The Gamecocks are coming off a 4-win campaign in 2025 but showed promise on both offense and defense.

The takeaway

The decision by South Carolina and NC State to mutually cancel their future home-and-home series reflects a broader shift in college football scheduling, as schools prioritize 'money games' against smaller opponents over competitive non-conference matchups. This trend is driven by conference realignment and the desire to maximize revenue, potentially at the expense of high-profile non-conference games.