MIES (Switzerland) - Five fabulous days of FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers were lapped up by fans, with a record 342,700 spectators in total showing up to watch the start of the Second Round in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.
The previous record was set during the third window of the World Cup 2027 Qualifiers, further underscoring the competition’s growing popularity and expanding appeal among spectators.
Rank | Attendance | Window |
|---|---|---|
1 | 342,700 | W4 World Cup Qualifiers 2027 |
2 | 330,965 | W3 World Cup Qualifiers 2027 |
3 | 328,997 | W3 World Cup Qualifiers 2019 |
The third biggest attendance in European Qualifiers history was on Monday in Greece, where a whopping 17,677 spectators in the Telekom Center Athens watched the hosts edge Spain in an overtime thriller, 108-106.
The only crowds that have been bigger in Europe before were in August, 2022, when 19,443 watched Greece play Belgium and 19,150 in Belgrade saw Serbia take on the Greeks.
Hearts were racing by the end of Monday's game against Spain as Greece narrowly avoided a fourth consecutive defeat, thus boosting their chances of reaching the World Cup in Qatar.
At the Accor Arena in Paris, France had 15,831 fans cheer them on to a big win over Slovenia. The main attraction was France's 22-year-old superstar Victor Wembanyama, who had 22 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks in the 92-67 triumph.
The French also played before a lively 14,750 audience in the Avicii Arena in Sweden. When it was all over, the visitors had come from behind and prevailed 84-69 after an outstanding fourth quarter.
The Swedes had just a few days earlier won a fourth straight game and spoiled the party in Helsinki with an 86-81 victory over Finland. There were 12,401 spectators in the Veikkaus Arena watching Pelle Larsson pour in 31 points for Sweden.
The land of the defending World Cup and EuroBasket champions, Germany, had 15,609 spectators at their game in the Lanxess Arena against the Netherlands on August 27, the opening day of the window.
Germany cruised, 99-83, and then won an overtime classic at Poland in Gdansk a few days later, 96-94, with 10,094 fans having created a rambunctious atmosphere that made life difficult for the visitors.
Serbia and Latvia also had big and loud crowds for their home games against Iceland and Israel, respectively.
There were 12,384 spectators at the Belgrade Arena on August 28 that saw Serbia claim a 102-73 triumph. In Riga on Sunday, Latvia won 85-70 to improve to 4-4 and stay in the hunt for the World Cup.
In Asia, the site of the 2023 World Cup Final Phase, the Mall of Asia Arena, was the place to be in the fourth window. It was at 150% capacity with 18,308 fans as Gilas defeated Iran, 68-56.
Kai Sotto had 13 points and 16 rebounds for the Philippines in the win. In the Filipinos' first game of the window against Jordan on August 28, 15,828 created a fun atmosphere in the Mall of Asia and Gilas won after overtime, 82-81.
On Monday, August 31, China also benefitted from home support, with 12,127 screaming fans willing them to a 89-87 win over Lebanon at the Xishi Basketball Center in Zhuji.
There was hoops hysteria at China's first game, too, on August 27. The Al Janoub was at 90% capacity with 7,365 spectators for Qatar's game against the Chinese, with the visitors rolling to a 83-57 victory.
The Toyota Arena in Tokyo was humming, too, on Monday with 9,153 fans (94% capacity) watching Japan's 123-70 win over Qatar. Japan's Los Angeles Clipper star Rui Hachimura put on a show with 30 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks.
Keisei Tominaga, coming off his first professional season in the Japanese B. League, also jumped into spotlight by making 4 of 5 shots from deep and scoring 24 points.
In the Americas Qualifiers, Canada remained unbeaten with two more wins, including a 97-92 victory over Argentina in Quebec City at the Videotron Centre, where there were 12,380 spectators. NBA stars Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Lu Dort and 26 and 25 points, respectively, for Canada.
On August 27, there were 7,087 fans in the Ginasio Nilson Nelson for Brazil against visiting Dominican Republic. The visitors claimed a 94-90 win.
Meanwhile, the Centro Deportivo Colectivos was at 135% capacity with 4,057 fans showing up to watch Chile's game against USA. The Americans had a big first quarter and won, 89-71. Mike James suited up for the USA again and had 11 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists.
The Dominican Republic's Palacio de Deportes was at 95% capacity with a 6,665-strong crowd to watch their 101-66 triumph over Chile.
There were 5,541 fans inside the Antel Arena that watched Uruguay fall to NBA winger Buddy Hield and the Bahamas, 103-94.
Atlanta Hawks guard Hield put on a show, burying 6 3-balls and scoring 28 points for the Bahamas.
Argentina's Polideportivo Islas Malvinas was a fun place to be for the 5,862 fans on opening night because the home team beat rivals Puerto Rico, 89-75.
Dakar felt the heartbeat of Africa's basketball in the fourth window as 4,000 singing and dancing Senegal supporters watched their team edge AfroBasket champions Angola on Saturday, 84-82.
Even more turned out the next day for the game against Mali. In a festival like atmosphere with 7,500 fans, the Senegalese romped to a 97-71 victory.
FIBA