Week 0 of the college football season is finally here, but fans of the USC Trojans and San Jose State Spartans must not have gotten the memo.
USC opened up its 2026 season against a familiar foe at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, but in a rather less-than-packed stadium. While the Coliseum is typically full of Trojan fans up to the nosebleeds, the empty stadium stood out immediately at the start of the game, especially given the heavy anticipation for USC’s season.
This quickly became a topic of conversation on social media as analysts, media personalities, and college football fans began poking fun at the empty stands.
College Football World Reacts to USC’s Empty Stands
“Ain’t nobody at this USC game. That’s pathetic even when your team not playing a top opponent you show up and leave at halftime,” wrote a user on X.
Ain’t nobody at this USC game
That’s pathetic
Even when your team not playing a top opponent
You show up and leave at Halftime 😂😂— Demetri Sullivan (@demetrioso33) August 29, 2026
PFN Analyst Alec Elijah, who was at the game, shared a photo of the stadium and exclaimed, “Everyone must be stuck in LA traffic.”
Everyone must be stuck in LA traffic. @uscfb @SanJoseStateFB pic.twitter.com/PgSD5fKFWm
— Alec Elijah (@CFBAlecElijah) August 29, 2026
On3’s Brooks Austin took to his X account and cracked a joke about how many fans were in attendance: “There’s like 12 people at this USC home opener.”
There’s like 12 people at this USC home opener
— Brooks Austin (@BrooksAustinBA) August 29, 2026
One fan even suggested USC potentially change its stadium.
“USC should build a Northwestern-like stadium that seats 30,000 people. Seeing every home game ever at 20% capacity is depressing,” they wrote.
USC should build a Northwestern-like stadium that seats 30,000 people. Seeing every home game ever at 20% capacity is depressing. pic.twitter.com/1JtwXoj3mc
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) August 29, 2026
“There are literally only 8 college football games today and this is all USC could get to show up to the stadium for the season opener. Pathetic for a ‘proud’ program that claims 11 national championships…” Texas beat writer Tyler Horka wrote on X.
Others tried to look for reasons for the limited turnout. It’s no secret that California is in the midst of a major heat wave as the back end of summer wraps up.
During the game, temperatures reached the low 90s, which may have contributed to low attendance at the start of the season, despite the lowest ticket price being just $9.
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When ticket prices dropped, USC beat writer Ryan Kartje argued that the biggest reason for the low ticket sales is the California heat.
“The reason people aren’t clamoring to be in the upper rows of the Coliseum tomorrow isn’t *Lincoln Riley and USC* it’s the stifling, triple-digit heat,” he wrote.
Of course, other fan bases weren’t buying this excuse, as several teams play in the blistering heat.
“USC beat writer says Trojan fans won’t show up to the season opener because it’s hot outside. El. Oh. El.” said Oklahoma Sooners radio host Travis J Davidson.
USC beat writer says Trojan fans won’t show up to the season opener because it’s hot outside.
El. Oh. El. https://t.co/yi2McauvKS
— Travis J Davidson (@TravisSkol) August 29, 2026
It’s worth noting that the Trojans announced before the game that their top receivers, Tanook Hines and Terrell Anderson, would be out for Saturday’s outing for “injury precaution.”
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Perhaps the fact that the Trojans were resting some key players also lowered fans’ excitement for the game.
Still, for a team that’s ranked in the top-15 and has College Football Playoff aspirations, you would expect the stadium to be packed for the season opener like it was a Saturday night against an SEC opponent.
