COLUMBIA – Fans of sixth-ranked South Carolina and border rival North Carolina who don’t have a ticket for this week’s season-opening showdown will have to find their favorite gathering place to see the game.

Officials at South Carolina announced Monday that Thursday night’s contest at Williams-Brice Stadium against the Tar Heels is sold out.

Tickets are already gone for home contests with Florida on Nov. 16 and Clemson on Nov. 30.

The Gamecocks are coming off an 11-2 record in 2012, the second straight year with 11 victories. North Carolina finished last season 8-4 in the debut of head coach Larry Fedora.