The Governor’s Cup is awarded to a tourism partner with an impact on the locally economy. | Photo via Experience Columbia SC
Experience Columbia SC Sports (ECSC) won the Governor’s Cup Award for the Rivals in Red Tour, which attracted 70,000 visitors to Columbia last year. Columbia was one of just three US cities to host the matchups between Manchester United and Liverpool FC, bringing fans from across the country.
The Governor’s Cup honors tourism initiatives that significantly impact the local economy and community. The collaboration between ECSC, USC, and TEG Sport generated over $13 million in visitor spending.
“It showed that with collaboration, we can pull off top-tier events and highlight Columbia as the vibrant destination it truly is,” Bill Ellen, ECSC President and CEO, said.
The Rivals in Red campaign created a buzz across the Southeast with eye-catching ads and digital promotions, bringing the benefits back to Columbia. With three million impressions and $2 million in earned media value, the event demonstrated the city’s capacity to host globally recognized events.
Asked
Asked
What sporting events would you like to see come to Columbia?
A. NCAA March Madness Tournament B. Rivals in Red 2.0 C. USA Track & Field Outdoor Championship D. MLB exhibition game E. Other
LOVEPOCALYPSE | 7-9 p.m. | Trustus Theatre Side Door Theatre | $10 | Bring a date, an ex, or your existential dread to enjoy this sketch show about romance, ruin, and “The Substance.”
A Savage Valentine - Roses and Rebellion Weekend | Friday, Feb. 14-Sunday, Feb. 16 | Times vary | Savage Craft Ale Works, West Columbia | Free | Enjoy Valentine’s specials all weekend, from beer and chocolate tastings to live music.
“Quilters; The Musical” | Friday, Feb. 14-Sunday, Feb. 16 | Times vary | Broad River Arts Center | $20 | This play follows a series of stories from pioneer women sewn together to represent pieces of their lives.
Saturday, Feb. 15
Co-Intelligence: AI and Human in Collaboration | 2-4 p.m. | USC Tech Incubator, 4th floor conference room | Free, registration required | The Cola Makerspace presents this hands-on seminar exploring how AI can enhance creativity and productivity.
Parent’s Night Out | 5-10 p.m. | Seven Oaks Park | $25 | Parents, this is for you — drop off the kids for a night of games, crafts, movies, and pizza.
Sunday, Feb. 16
Free Sundays: Mann-Simons Site | 1-4 p.m. | Mann-Simons Site | Free | Richland + Lexington County residents can tour the historic site known for its role in local African American history.
Brownie Batter Dream is a first-of-its-kind nighttime blend for better sleep, now available hemp-free. | Photo by Beam Organics
Say you can’t sleep? Baby, I know... that’s that anxiety. (Or high cortisol, or existential dread...)
Luckily Beam Dream’s best-selling Brownie Batter hot cocoa packed with five powerful ingredients for deep rest improves sleep for 93% of users, helping you fall asleep faster + stay asleep longer. (Plus, zero added sugar + only 15 calories.)
$188.81. That’s the average amount Americans are expected to spend on Valentine’s Day this year. Forgot it was Valentine’s Day until just now? We’ve got you covered with last-minute ideas in multiple price points. (NRF)
Today Is
Opening Day for Carolina baseball. The Gamecocks take on Sacred Heart at 4 p.m. at Founders Park, marking the start of the Paul Mainieri era and the first game on Ray Tanner Field. Snag tickets or stream the games on SEC Network Plus.
Biz
Sylvamo, maker of Hammermill and HP Home & Office paper, is investing $145 million to upgrade its Eastover and Sumter facilities. The Eastover mill will expand production, while Sumter will add new equipment for efficiency. The company employs 800 workers in Eastover and 100 in Sumter. (WLTX)
Watch
The Nickelodeon Theatre will host the inaugural Femme Film Fest from Friday, March 7 to Sunday, March 9, showcasing women’s contributions to cinema. The lineup includes films such as “Lady Bird” by Greta Gerwig, “Certain Women” by Kelly Reichardt, and “Daughters of the Dust” by Julie Dash.
Environment
Columbia Water + Richland County are offering pre-order rain barrels for $76 and compost bins for $67. Pick-up is set for Saturday, March 22 from 9-10:30 a.m. at 3000 Harden St. Orders close on Sunday, March 16 or when supplies run out.
Edu
USC is set to demolish McBryde Hall, a 70-year-old dorm behind Thomas Cooper Library. The new residence hall plan will double capacity, expand the Honors College, and relocate current residents. A historical exhibit documenting McBryde’s legacy is planned for Fall 2025 at Thomas Cooper Library. (WLTX)
Sports
Will the Carolina Panthers make Jaycee Horn one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL? Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Feel like your vision benefits are leaving you in the dark? Brighten things up with VSP® Individual Vision Plans, starting as low as $13 a month.*
Category
Ranked
How Cola’s traffic compares
Mid-day traffic on Gervais Street in front of the State House. | Photo by COLAtoday
When it comes to topics that get our readers talking, Columbia’s traffic is consistently high on the list.
Whether you’re navigating stoplights down Bull Street, construction at Malfunction Junction, or driving into the setting sun on your way home to Lexington, it’s no secret — Columbia’s traffic can feel hard to escape.
According to data from the INRIX 2024 Global Traffic Scorecard, the Soda City ranked No. 121 for congestion in the US. These rankings were based on three years of travel delay comparisons, costs of congestion to drivers, and commuting trends based on metro area traffic patterns.
Here’s a breakdown of Columbia’s 2024 traffic by the numbers:
No. 613 — Columbia’s congestion rank out of 900+ cities worldwide, compared to No. 121 in the US alone.
18 — The amount of hours Columbians lost in congestion last year
$322 — The cost of congestion per driver
35 mph — Columbians’ average vehicle speed during peak traffic times, compared to 43 mph during low traffic times.
The Buy
The Buy
It’s Valentine’s Day and Friday… a combo that won’t happen again for another six years. Why not treat yourself for the occasion? We’ve got five picks we think you’ll love.
I’d love to see the men’s NCAA Tournament return to Colonial Life Arena. Growing up, I attended the tournament each year in Charlotte and made a core memory watching the Gamecocks beat Duke in Greenville during their historic 2017 Final Four run. It’s one of the best ways to showcase our community to fans from fellow college cities.
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