Columbia offers a wide range of recreational activities and sporting events. While Columbia loves the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, there is even more to do, see and experience. Here are some fun options if you're visiting the Capital City.
Fun and Games in the Soda City
Sporting Events
Go Cocks! University of South Carolina Gamecocks
The University of South Carolina's Division I sports teams, the Gamecocks, offer almost year-round excitement and thrills for their fans and visiting rivals alike. Check out a game and you'll agree: It's great to be a Gamecock!
Football
Games are played at Williams Brice Stadium, out by the South Carolina State Fairgrounds. Get there early to do a little tailgating, and definitely wear your garnet and black. It's the most fun you can have on a beautiful fall day in Columbia. Tickets are hard to get for some games but available for others.
Basketball
The women's basketball team, under the leadership of Olympic gold medalist and Hall of Famer Dawn Staley, are a national powerhouse, and the men's team gets better each year. They play at Colonial Life Arena.
Baseball
The Gamecocks have been one of the best collegiate baseball teams in the nation for years, with a slew of titles and championships. They play at Founders Park. Don't miss the two -- that's right, two -- NCAA championship trophies on display just inside the main gate.
While football, basketball and baseball might be the most popular sports, there are lots of other teams to cheer on. In fact, there are almost two dozen men's and women's teams at USC. Buy tickets for all sports here: University of South Carolina Sports Tickets. Wear your garnet and black, and go Cocks!
Columbia Fireflies
Columbia's new minor league baseball team is the Fireflies, named after the amazing synchronized fireflies that light up Congaree Swamp. The team will be playing at Segra Park, in the redeveloped Bull Street Commons project.
Lexington Blowfish
Just a short drive outside of Columbia, you'll find the Lexington Blowfish, a collegiate summer league team, made up of talented college players. They play at the Lexington County Baseball Stadium.
Swimming
When it's a famously hot day in Columbia, go swimming. If you love pools, check out Maxcy Gregg Park's Olympic-sized outdoor public swimming pool. If you prefer lake swimming, then head out to Lake Murray. Just south of the dam, the SCE&G Recreation Area South has a wide beach for swimming. Bring water shoes, though, because the lakebed is rocky.
