PHOTOS: Gamecocks take to Charlotte for College GameDay

ESPN's College GameDay broadcast came to Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 2, 2023. Fans of both the South Carolina Gamecocks and the North Carolina Tar Heels filled Romare Bearden Park in anticipation of the game between the two schools, with some arriving as early as 3 a.m ahead of the 9 a.m. show and 7:30 p.m. game.

Cheerleaders and fans from the University of North Carolina and the University of South Carolina gather for College GameDay. Fans lined up beginning at 3 a.m. on Sept. 2, 2023.

Fans gathered at Romare Bearden Park wave flags and hoist signs hoping to get on camera. The crowds gathered for College GameDay as early as 3 a.m. on Sept. 2, 2023.

South Carolina mascot Cocky wanders through the crowd at College GameDay. The masses gathered for ESPN’s broadcast ranged from several fan bases, including Tar Heels and Gamecocks.

South Carolina fans show off their signs at College GameDay on Sept. 2, 2023. Some attendees say that they spent over two hours creating their signs.

A fan holds up a sign of her “Gamecock Bucket List”. Thousands of South Carolina and North Carolina fans gathered to cheer for their teams during ESPN’s College GameDay broadcast ahead of the neutral site game.

A “Cocks by 90” sign is displayed above thousands of fans gathered for College GameDay. “Cocks by 90” is a slogan used by Gamecocks fans to express confidence in the team's chance of winning.

USC students Gavin Howley (left) and Thomas Gribben (right) holding a "Beamer Ball" sign at Romare Bearden Park ahead of College GameDay on Sept. 2, 2023. Howley and Gribben traveled to Charlotte to support the Gamecocks ahead of the Duke's Mayo Classic later in the day.

A mix of South Carolina and North Carolina fans in the front row for College GameDay. Fans from both sides brought signs supporting their team with the hope of being featured on the ESPN broadcast.

South Carolina fans in the front of the College GameDay pit raise signs for the ESPN broadcast. Fans at the front of the pit began lining up at 3 a.m. on Sept. 2, 2023.

A Gamecocks fan holds up a sign claiming South Carolina is “The real Carolina” during College GameDay. The broadcast in Charlotte leads up to the "Battle of the Carolinas" on Sept. 2, 2023.

A sign saying “Bless your hearts, Tar Heels” is held by a South Carolina fan in Charlotte on Sept. 2, 2023. Fans gathered in Charlotte before the football game between South Carolina and North Carolina.

A group of fans in the front row of the College GameDay pit laugh with their friends. College GameDay was in Charlotte, N.C, on Sept. 2, 2023, for the Duke's Mayo Classic.

Young Gamecocks fan Riley Lawrence sits on her dad’s shoulders carrying a sign for College GameDay. Lawrence and her dad, Andrew, sported Cocky shirts for the show on Sept. 2, 2023.

A sign referencing South Carolina quarterback Spencer Ratter’s dominant performance against Tennessee in 2022 is held above the crowd at Romare Bearden Park. Fans of the Gamecocks, Tar Heels and more gathered for College GameDay on Sept. 2, 2023.