For the first time since the 1990s, Clemson University’s Memorial Stadium is preparing to welcome back live music. In a move that combines nostalgia with modern spectacle, the venue will host the inaugural Death Valley Nights concert on May 2, 2026, headlined by country music superstar George Strait.
Joining Strait on stage will be fellow country artists Cody Johnson and Wyatt Flores, promising fans a night of unforgettable performances. The event will feature an “in-the-round” stage design, creating an immersive experience for what is expected to be a record-breaking crowd of more than 90,000 attendees, according to a Clemson Athletics press release.
This will be George Strait’s return to the very same stadium where he last performed in 1999, marking a symbolic reopening of Memorial Stadium to the music world. His previous performance was the final concert held there before Clemson suspended musical events at the venue.
The announcement came during the fall quarterly meeting of Clemson’s Board of Trustees, highlighting the university’s intention to re-establish Memorial Stadium as a premier event space — not just for sports, but for large-scale entertainment.
Memorial Stadium, which opened in 1942 and is renowned in college football as “Death Valley,” is the beating heart of Clemson’s game-day culture. But it wasn’t always reserved for touchdowns and tailgates. In decades past, the stadium hosted a number of musical icons. The Rolling Stones performed there in 1989. Other major acts included Pink Floyd, U2, The Eagles, and the dynamic duo Billy Joel and Elton John in 1995.
Clemson Athletics is partnering with Clemson Athletic Ventures and Does Entertainment to launch the Death Valley Nights concert series — a new chapter in the stadium’s legacy. The goal is to attract high-caliber talent and create shared experiences for students, alumni, and the broader community.
“The return of live music to Death Valley is about more than entertainment — it’s about reconnecting with our roots and expanding our future,” said Eric Sabin, Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director. “It’s time to open up this space to moments that go beyond football.”
Earlier this year, on April 26, the stadium was temporarily converted into a baseball diamond for a sold-out appearance by the Savannah Bananas — an experimental baseball team known for their fan-first approach. The crowd of 81,000 set a new record for the franchise and proved that Memorial Stadium can successfully host diverse events.
