Pee Dee and Grand Strand events › Myrtle Beach Bowl
The seventh annual Myrtle Beach Bowl kicks off Monday, December 21, 2026 at 11 a.m. ET on ESPN at Brooks Stadium on the Coastal Carolina University campus in Conway. Tickets go on sale to the public in December, after the teams are announced.
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date | Monday, December 21, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 11 a.m. ET, on ESPN |
| Where | Brooks Stadium, Coastal Carolina University, Conway (Horry County) |
| Edition | Seventh annual Myrtle Beach Bowl |
| Teams | Not yet announced; schools from two of Conference USA, the Mid-American Conference and the Sun Belt Conference |
| Tickets | On sale to the public in December 2026, after team announcements |
| Ticket prices | Not yet announced – we check weekly |
| Parking and tailgating | Not yet announced – we check weekly |
| Bag policy | Not yet announced – we check weekly |
Who Plays
The organizers say the matchup will feature schools from two of three NCAA Division I conferences: Conference USA, the Mid-American Conference and the Sun Belt Conference. The teams are named after those conferences finish their seasons, which is also when the ticket page says public sales open. The 2025 game’s MVP, per the bowl’s own news page, was Western Michigan running back Jalen Buckley.
Fan Fest and Game Day
Visit Myrtle Beach says that before the game, fans can typically enjoy free activities outside Brooks Stadium on the university campus: University Boulevard opens to foot traffic only shortly after 9 a.m., and the Myrtle Beach Bowl Fan Fest runs from 9 a.m. until just before kickoff, with music, food, vendors and interactive fun for the whole family. That description is the tourism office’s “typically” language, not a confirmed 2026 schedule, so treat the times as a guide until the bowl posts its own.
Make a Weekend of It
Visit Myrtle Beach’s own suggestions for bowl weekend are the Winter Wonderland walk-through holiday light display on the downtown Boardwalk, the Grand Strand’s holiday shows, and fresh oysters in season. Two of our own big-event guides run on those dates:
| Event | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| The Great Christmas Light Show | Nov 23 to Dec 30; gates 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.; closed Nov 26 and Dec 25 | North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex |
| Nights of a Thousand Candles | Select nights, 4 to 9 p.m., through Sun, Dec 20; back Dec 29 to Jan 3 | Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet |
Tips for Families
- Plan around an 11 a.m. Monday kickoffThe Fan Fest, if it matches past years, starts about two hours earlier.
- Check the bowl’s stadium bag policy and parking details before you leave; neither had been published when we checked on October 27.
- Buy tickets only from the bowl’s own ticket page once sales open in December.
- If you cannot attend, the game is on ESPN.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Myrtle Beach Bowl in 2026?
Monday, December 21, 2026, with an 11 a.m. ET kickoff on ESPN.
Where is the Myrtle Beach Bowl played?
At Brooks Stadium on the Coastal Carolina University campus in Conway, South Carolina, not far from central Myrtle Beach.
Who is playing in the 2026 Myrtle Beach Bowl?
Not yet announced. The organizers say it will feature schools from two of the Conference USA, Mid-American Conference and Sun Belt Conference, and the teams are named after the regular season ends.
When do Myrtle Beach Bowl tickets go on sale?
The bowl’s ticket page says tickets go on sale to the general public in December 2026, after team announcements. Prices were not published on October 27, 2026.
Is there a Fan Fest before the game?
Visit Myrtle Beach says there is typically a free Fan Fest outside Brooks Stadium starting at 9 a.m. with music, food and vendors. The 2026 schedule has not been confirmed by the bowl.
Why do some pages say Friday, December 21?
A June Visit Myrtle Beach article says “Friday” with the date December 21, but December 21, 2026 is a Monday, and the bowl’s own news release and homepage say Monday, Dec. 21. We use Monday.
Keep Planning
- Pee Dee and Grand Strand events
- Things to do in Myrtle Beach in December
- Brooks Stadium: events, parking and tickets
- How to see a Coastal Carolina football game
- Conway events
- South Carolina concerts and sports
- All South Carolina events
Sources
- Myrtle Beach Bowl: official homepage, checked 2026-10-27
- Myrtle Beach Bowl: ticket information, checked 2026-10-27
- Myrtle Beach Area CVB: 2026 Myrtle Beach Bowl set for Monday, Dec. 21 at 11 a.m. (June 3, 2026 release), checked 2026-10-27
- Visit Myrtle Beach: Myrtle Beach Bowl Game inside scoop, checked 2026-10-27
- City of North Myrtle Beach: The Great Christmas Light Show, checked 2026-10-27
- Brookgreen Gardens: Nights of a Thousand Candles, checked 2026-10-27
Everything above was read on the organizers’ own pages and last checked 2026-10-27. Organizers change dates, times and rules, so confirm on the linked page before you go. See our editorial standards, verification log and corrections.
Cite this page: It's South Carolina, “Myrtle Beach Bowl 2026: Dec 21 at Brooks Stadium, Conway”, itssouthcarolina.com/myrtle-beach-bowl-conway/ (updated ). By the It's South Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.