South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley is moving forward with the Gamecocks’ season-opening trip to Paris, but growing civil unrest across France has put player safety firmly in the spotlight ahead of their highly anticipated international matchup.
The defending powerhouse program is scheduled to open its 2026-27 campaign against No. 20 Maryland on November 2 in Paris. Although demonstrations and occasional outbreaks of violence have raised concerns across the country, Staley says organizers have assured South Carolina that appropriate security measures will be in place to protect the teams.
With the season opener approaching, the Gamecocks are preparing for a trip that combines the excitement of international basketball with the practical challenges of traveling through a country experiencing widespread protests.
Dawn Staley Emphasizes Player Safety Before France Trip
Staley addressed the situation Tuesday, making it clear that South Carolina’s willingness to participate depends on the safety of its players and staff.
The veteran coach said the event organizers understand the responsibility of hosting international teams during a period of unrest. According to Staley, officials have provided assurances that security arrangements are designed to create a safe environment for everyone involved.
“The event organizer, they know we don’t want to put any of our teams, our players in harm’s way,” Staley told reporters Tuesday. “They assured us that the place is secure. There is a security organization that all the teams have to make sure that it’s a safe environment.”
Her comments reflect the priority shared by coaches, administrators and event organizers as preparations continue for the international showcase.
South Carolina is scheduled to depart for Paris on Wednesday, giving the team several days to settle in before facing Maryland. While the basketball schedule remains unchanged, the coaching staff is keeping a close watch on developments in France.
Staley also confirmed that the program has maintained regular communication with people familiar with conditions on the ground.
“We’ve been talking about it,” she said. “We’ve actually got people who are there that’s giving us just some insight on how things are. I think they’re closing stores a lot earlier.”
Those conversations provide the Gamecocks with additional information about daily conditions in Paris and the precautions being taken as demonstrations continue.
Protests Across France Raise Questions About Security
France has faced a growing wave of demonstrations that began in Paris in late September, initially involving student protests over school conditions.
The unrest has since spread to other parts of the country and beyond its borders, with demonstrations increasingly focused on broader economic conditions and government policies.
Although many protests have remained peaceful, violence has occasionally erupted, prompting authorities to strengthen security measures in affected areas.
Paris, one of Europe’s busiest international destinations, remains a focal point as officials work to manage demonstrations while maintaining normal activity across the city.
The situation has attracted international attention, including from organizations preparing to stage major sporting events.
For South Carolina, the timing presents an additional consideration during a trip that would otherwise center on the excitement of opening a new season against a nationally ranked opponent.
The U.S. State Department issued a Level 2 travel advisory for France on October 21, advising travelers to exercise increased caution. The advisory system ranges from Level 1, which recommends normal precautions, to Level 4, which warns against travel.
Travelers are encouraged to remain aware of local conditions, follow guidance from authorities and take appropriate precautions.
Official travel guidance: The provides current information for Americans traveling to France.
NFL Game in Paris Offers a Recent Example
South Carolina is not the only American sports organization to face questions about traveling to France during the unrest.
The NFL proceeded with its Paris matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints the previous weekend, offering a recent example of a major sporting event going ahead despite concerns about conditions in the country.
Although a fan event was canceled several days before the game, the matchup itself took place without interruption.
That outcome may provide some reassurance to the Gamecocks as they prepare for their own international appearance. However, the circumstances surrounding one event do not guarantee identical conditions for another, making continued communication with organizers and local authorities important.
For Staley and her staff, the central issue remains straightforward: the team must be able to compete without compromising the safety of its players.
The program’s decision to proceed comes as organizers work to ensure that sporting events can operate amid a changing security environment.
Gamecocks Prepare for a High-Profile Season Opener
Beyond the security concerns, the Paris trip offers South Carolina an opportunity to begin the season against a significant opponent on an international stage.
The November 2 matchup against No. 20 Maryland is part of the 2026 Oui Play Event, which also features a contest between No. 12 North Carolina and No. 21 Oklahoma.
The doubleheader brings four prominent college basketball programs together in Paris, giving the event considerable attention before the opening tip.
For South Carolina, the Maryland game represents the first step in what the program hopes will be another successful season under Staley.
The Gamecocks have established themselves as one of the leading forces in women’s college basketball, and their season opener will provide an early test against a ranked opponent.
An international setting also offers a different atmosphere from the team’s usual domestic schedule. However, the surrounding unrest means the coaching staff must balance preparation for the game with awareness of conditions away from the court.
The team’s planned departure on Wednesday leaves a short window to adjust to the city, complete preparations and follow any updated security guidance before game day.
South Carolina Returns to Paris After 2023 Appearance
This will be South Carolina’s second trip to Paris in three years, following its appearance at the inaugural Oui Play event in 2023.
During that visit, the Gamecocks opened their season against Notre Dame and came away with a victory. The trip proceeded normally, without the additional security concerns now surrounding the team’s return.
The contrast between the two visits highlights how circumstances can change even when a familiar destination and event format remain in place.
South Carolina’s previous experience may help the program navigate the logistics of international competition, but the current situation requires its own assessment.
Staley’s comments suggest the coaching staff is relying on information from people in France and assurances from event organizers while monitoring conditions ahead of the opener.
For the players, the immediate challenge is to remain focused on basketball while the adults responsible for the trip continue to evaluate security arrangements.
Safety Remains the Priority as Opening Night Approaches
With the Gamecocks preparing to leave for France, the attention surrounding their trip extends beyond rankings, matchups and early-season expectations.
The program is proceeding with plans to face Maryland on November 2, supported by assurances that security arrangements will protect the participating teams. Still, the broader situation remains fluid, and continued communication will be important as the trip unfolds.
Staley has made her position clear: South Carolina does not intend to place its players in harm’s way simply to fulfill a basketball commitment.
The coming days will determine whether conditions remain stable enough for the international showcase to proceed as planned. For now, the Gamecocks are preparing to travel, compete and begin another season while keeping safety at the center of their plans.
As the November 2 opener approaches, Dawn Staley’s commitment to South Carolina Gamecocks player safety in Paris remains the defining concern surrounding the team’s return to France.
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