Dawn Staley Addresses France Protests as South Carolina Prepares for Paris Season Opener

South Carolina women’s basketball is moving forward with its highly anticipated season opener in Paris despite recent protests and civil unrest across France, with head coach Dawn Staley saying event organizers and security officials have assured the team that adequate safety measures are in place.

The No. 1-ranked Gamecocks are scheduled to face No. 17 Maryland on Monday, November 2, at noon ET on ESPN. The matchup is part of the Oui-Play women’s college basketball doubleheader at Adidas Arena in Paris, where South Carolina will begin its 2026-27 campaign on an international stage.

The decision to proceed comes as France navigates several weeks of demonstrations involving concerns about rising living costs, high fuel prices, teacher shortages, and conditions in schools. Although some protests have escalated into violence, Staley said the team has received information about the situation and remains in contact with the event organizers responsible for its safety.

South Carolina departed for France on October 28, one day after Staley publicly confirmed that the team’s travel plans had not changed.

“We’ve got people who are there, that have given us just some insight on how things are,” Staley said.

She acknowledged that the unrest has affected daily life in parts of the city, including businesses closing earlier than usual. However, she emphasized that organizers understand the team’s concerns and have provided assurances about security arrangements.

“The event organizer knows we don’t want to put any of our teams or players in harm’s way, and they assured us that the place is secure,” Staley said. “There is a security organization that all the teams have to make sure that it’s a safe environment.”

For the Gamecocks, those assurances have allowed preparations for the season opener to continue while attention remains on developments across France.

South Carolina Maintains Its Paris Plans Despite Unrest

South Carolina’s trip comes during a period of heightened public demonstrations that began in late September, initially involving high school students in Paris-area suburbs.

Early protests were largely peaceful, with students walking out of schools and taking part in demonstrations to draw attention to teacher shortages and deteriorating school conditions. As the movement expanded, however, demonstrations spread to additional locations, and some incidents became violent.

October 17 marked a significant escalation, with reports of violence and looting in several cities, including Paris. The developments raised concerns about public safety and prompted authorities to increase security precautions around parts of the French capital.

A second round of demonstrations on October 24 also led to precautionary closures at several well-known landmarks and historic sites. Many of those locations have since reopened.

According to a Reuters report on France’s security response to the October 24 demonstrations, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the violence was less intense than during the previous week’s unrest.

Nevertheless, additional protests were expected on October 31, just two days before South Carolina’s scheduled matchup against Maryland.

The timing has placed an unusual backdrop around the Gamecocks’ opening game. Rather than entering the season solely focused on basketball, the team must also navigate an international trip taking place while public demonstrations continue.

Staley’s comments suggest the program is relying on event organizers and security personnel to monitor developments and maintain a safe environment for players, coaches, and staff.

The team’s complete itinerary has not been made public. During South Carolina’s previous trip to Paris in 2023, the visit included stops at prominent attractions such as the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. Whether the 2026 itinerary includes similar activities remains unclear.

Where Are the Protests Happening in Relation to Adidas Arena?

One factor providing context for the team’s trip is the distance between the basketball venue and locations associated with earlier unrest.

Adidas Arena sits on the northern edge of Paris, while some of the most prominent incidents reported during the October 17 demonstrations occurred elsewhere in the city.

Place de la République, identified as a major location for looting and violence during that period, is approximately four miles south of the arena. Les Halles, another area where violence occurred, is roughly seven miles southwest of the venue.

The main demonstration on October 24 took place along the southeastern fringes of Paris, on the opposite side of the city from Adidas Arena.

Those geographical differences help explain why the basketball event can proceed even as authorities continue monitoring demonstrations elsewhere.

However, distance alone does not guarantee safety. Conditions can change, transportation routes may be affected, and security arrangements can evolve as officials respond to developments on the ground.

For that reason, the assurances communicated to Staley and the program remain an important part of South Carolina’s preparations.

The Gamecocks will be looking to maintain their focus on basketball while organizers coordinate security measures for the international event.

NFL’s Paris Game Provides Another Point of Reference

South Carolina is not the first American sports team to travel to France during the recent period of unrest.

On October 25, the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers played in the first NFL regular-season game held in France. The matchup took place at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, near Paris.

The game went ahead despite the protests, with heightened security measures in place around the event.

ESPN reporter Molly McGrath, reporting from the sidelines, noted the increased security presence while also describing a reduction in violence during the October 24 demonstrations compared with the previous week.

According to her reporting, the NFL did not consider canceling the game.

The event demonstrated that major American sporting competitions could continue in the Paris region during the unrest, provided organizers maintained their security preparations. However, each event has its own arrangements, and the circumstances surrounding the NFL game do not automatically establish the conditions that South Carolina will encounter.

For the Gamecocks, the immediate priority remains their scheduled matchup with Maryland.

Gamecocks Turn Attention to the Season Opener

South Carolina enters the 2026-27 season with expectations that come with being ranked No. 1 nationally. Facing No. 17 Maryland in Paris will provide an early test against a ranked opponent, making the international opener a significant moment for the program.

Staley’s team will have to balance the demands of travel, preparation, and the unusual circumstances surrounding its arrival in France.

The coach has made clear that the program does not want players or staff placed in danger. At the same time, she has indicated that organizers have communicated their security plans and that the trip remains on schedule.

As October draws to a close, developments surrounding the protests will remain relevant to the team’s activities in Paris. Additional demonstrations were planned for October 31, and authorities’ responses could influence conditions around the city before Monday’s game.

For now, South Carolina’s plans remain unchanged. The Gamecocks are preparing to open their season against Maryland at Adidas Arena, with security arrangements and ongoing monitoring forming part of the broader trip.

The focus will ultimately return to the court, where South Carolina hopes to begin another competitive campaign with a strong performance against a ranked opponent.

Dawn Staley’s South Carolina women’s basketball Paris season opener amid France protests remains on schedule, with the Gamecocks relying on security assurances as they prepare for their November 2 showdown with Maryland.