BLACKSBURG, Va. — For the first time in 34 years, the Virginia Tech Hokies and the South Carolina Gamecocks are set to meet at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the 2025 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.
According to representatives from Peach Bowl, Inc. the 2025 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game — which will take place on either Aug. 31 or Sept. 1 in 2025 — will mark the 21st time that the Hokies and Gamecocks have played overall, but the first time they’ve met up since 1991.
In the all-time series, South Carolina leads 11-7-2 after claiming victory in the last four contests between the two programs.
“It’s an honor to welcome Virginia Tech back to the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game after 12 years, and we’re looking forward to hosting South Carolina for the first time in the game,” Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO and President Gary Stokan said. “It should be an intriguing matchup with Shane Beamer coaching against his father’s former team. I also fully expect Coach Fuente will have his Hokies ready to play against a formidable SEC opponent.”
Representatives say Virginia Tech will be making its third appearance in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game after falling to Alabama when they opened the 2009 and 2013 seasons in Atlanta.
“We’re excited to play in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game against South Carolina to open the 2025 season,” Virginia Tech Director of Athletics Whit Babcock said. “We look forward to showcasing our program in a front of a national television audience in one of the nation’s premier sporting venues, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. I’m confident we’ll see a strong contingent of our fan base cheering on the Hokies in their inaugural game in that facility and visiting the College Football Hall of Fame that weekend. We feel very confident about the strength of our scheduling going forward, as well as its appeal to Tech fans across the country.”
“Our team always looks forward to the opportunity to play in ‘trophy games’ and I’m sure our team relish the chance to compete for ‘The Old Leather Helmet’ trophy against South Carolina in the 2025 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game,” Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente said. “I know our players enjoy playing in NFL venues and I’m sure our fans will also appreciate cheering on the Hokies as we square off with an SEC opponent in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.”
In addition, this matchup against Virginia Tech will mark South Carolina’s very first appearance in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, representing the seventh different SEC program to play in the game.
According to organizers, this 2025 matchup will represent the SEC’s 20th appearance in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, with the conference holding a 13-2 record in the game at this time. Meanwhile, this will also mark the 15th ACC versus SEC matchup in the history of the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.
“I appreciate Gary Stokan and Peach Bowl, Inc. for making this awesome opportunity available to us,” said South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer. “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.”
Representatives say the teams will battle for The Old Leather Helmet Trophy, which the winners will don on the field after the game, starting with the head coach before it is passed from player to player as they celebrate their victory.
Tickets to the 2025 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game will be available for sale to the public in early 2025.
