FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University Women's Basketball team will embark on a 10-day, three-game overseas trip touring the sights of Portugal and Spain starting August 3. The Stags will play three games on the tour starting with their opening contest on August 5, while also enjoying a once in a lifetime experience touring Lisbon, Cascais, and Seville.
 
"We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to take our team on a transformative trip to Europe," Head Coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis said. "In addition to maximizing the NCAA's 10 permitted practice days to build chemistry on the court, this experience will create meaningful opportunities for our team to strengthen relationships, immerse ourselves in new cultures, and gain a broader perspective of the world."
 
The Stags will begin their excursion with a tour of Belem, a famous museum district, and home to: the Belém Tower, the Jerónimos Monastery, the Padrão dos Descobrimentos, and Belém Palace.
 
The next day they will then have a Tuk Tuk Tour of Lisbon while exploring the highlights, narrow streets and amazing views via a five wheeled vehicle.
 
Fairfield will then compete in their first of three games that night.
 
The Stags' third day in Europe will feature a sailing cruise along the Tagus River while also visiting Cascais.
 
That will be followed by a day trip to Sintra with a tour of Pena Palace. Sintra is a resort town in the foothills of Portugal's Sintra Mountains. Fairfield will then visit Cabo Da Roca – the western most point of Europe before lacing up for their second game of the trip.
 
Fairfield will enjoy their next day off with a trip to Lagos for a kayak excursion. The team's third game will be on Sunday, Aug. 9.
 
Fairfield will end their trip with a community service activity at the local gym, a bike tour of Seville, a guided tour of the Cathedral of Seville, and the Flamenco Show.
 
The entire trip is a product of World Sports Travel, an all-encompassing international tour and basketball tournament organizing service for the past 15 years.
 
Each overseas trip per NCAA rules allows for 10 days of practice, while participating  in competitions.
 
"Basketball has an incredible way of opening doors, taking us to places we never imagined, and connecting us with lifelong friends," Coach Carly said. "We are excited to grow together as a team and create core memories that will last a lifetime."
 
Fairfield will be entering the 2026-27 season with seven newcomers while also vying for their fourth straight conference championship. Fairfield holds an 87-12 overall record during their last three Championship seasons, the fifth highest winning percentage in Division I during that span.