South Carolina Adds Benedict College Exhibition, Finalizes Full 2026-27 Schedule / sportsearchers.com

South Carolina women’s basketball will host Benedict College in an exhibition game, the program announced Friday, adding another early-season event to Dawn Staley’s now-finalized 2026-27 schedule.

Benedict Exhibition Details

The Gamecocks will face their in-town rival Friday, October 23, at Colonial Life Arena, with tip time still to be announced. This marks South Carolina’s second scheduled preseason exhibition, and it comes with a lopsided history — the two teams previously met in 2021-22 (98-41 USC win) and 2022-23 (123-32 Gamecocks victory).

First Exhibition Comes Sooner

Before the Benedict matchup, South Carolina opens its preseason slate against College of Charleston on Sunday, September 27, at 5 p.m., in an unusual setting — the game will be played outdoors at Credit One Stadium on Daniel Island in Charleston.

Regular Season Opens in Paris

South Carolina’s full regular-season schedule kicks off with a matchup against Maryland on November 2 in Paris, part of the Oui Play event, giving fans an early international showcase before conference play begins.

SEC Slate Highlights

Conference play opens with a New Year’s Eve home game against Alabama, followed by a notable home-and-home series with Oklahoma — South Carolina hosts the Sooners on January 14 before traveling to Norman for the return matchup on February 8.

The PowHer Player Classic

South Carolina will host Alabama A&M, North Carolina Central, and Tennessee State for the PowHer Player Classic on November 28-29, with the Gamecocks opening against Tennessee State before facing either Alabama A&M or N.C. Central in a subsequent consolation or championship matchup. The event carries a notable personal connection for South Carolina — N.C. Central’s first-year head coach Olivia Gaines played under Staley at South Carolina from 2013-15, and joins the tournament field after two seasons leading Allen University in Columbia, giving Staley a familiar face across the sideline.

A Championship Rematch in Las Vegas

South Carolina’s participation in the 2026 Players Era Showcase produced one of the season’s most anticipated matchups — a national championship rematch against UCLA on December 19, followed by a game against Notre Dame on December 20. Given South Carolina’s history with UCLA in last year’s title game, this early-season meeting carries real weight beyond a typical non-conference contest.

Big Picture

With the full schedule now locked in, South Carolina’s 2026-27 slate blends marquee non-conference matchups, an international season-opener, a new HBCU-focused tournament, and meaningful SEC scheduling — giving fans a comprehensive look at a season that’s already generating significant buzz given the program’s championship expectations and star-studded roster heading into the year.