ISTANBUL (Türkiye) - A massive crowd of 8,348 fans packed the Basketball Development Center for the Türkiye versus Serbia Semi-Final showdown at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2026 setting a new FIBA U17 World Cup attendance record.
The previous record was the 8,122 fans who came out to see the Spain versus USA Final in 2022 in Malaga opposing the home team against USA.
Highest game attendance for each U17 World Cup edition
Year | Attendance | Game |
|---|---|---|
2010 Hamburg | 3,850 | Final - USA v POL |
2012 Kaunas | 3,000 | Group stage - LTU v ARG; Group stage - CRO v LTU |
2014 Dubai | 2,400 | Final - USA v AUS |
2016 Zaragoza | 2,500 | Final - USA v TUR |
2018 Rosario-Santa Fe | 5,700 | Final - FRA v USA |
2022 Malaga | 8,122 | Final - ESP v USA |
2024 Istanbul | 2,900 | Semi-Final - TUR v ITA |
2026 Istanbul | 8,348 | Semi-Final - TUR v SRB |
The crowds have come out in droves all tournament for the home side and given the Turks a major boost in the global championship.
The quarter-final against France had already drawn 3,925 fans to the venue.
But the volume levels reached another level against the Serbs as Türkiye were fighting to reach their first FIBA U17 World Cup Final since 2016.
Among those sitting courtside was a group of Turkish senior national team, who will be playing at home on Monday in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers. On hand were Alperen Sengun, Cedi Osman, Tarik Biberovic, Kenan Sipaphi, Sertac Sanli and Malachi Flynn.
Some of the players such Sengun and Osman were on hand for the Türkiye game against Slovenia.
FIBA