BEIJING (China) - After three amazing years in Singapore, the FIBA Intercontinental Cup found a home in Beijing, China. The first of the next three events guarantees entertainment, as all six participants feel like they could go all the way.
Format
The six teams are split into two groups, with the top two from each group advancing to the Semi-Finals. The third-placed teams from both groups move to the Fifth-Place Game on Saturday, September 26.
The Championship Game, as well as the Third-Place Game will be played on Sunday, September 27, when we will crown the new Intercontinental champions.
Contenders
Schedule
The event tips off on Tuesday, September 22, and will see two games per day for the first three days of the competition.
The teams get a day off on Friday, September 25, before a three-game Saturday warms us up for the Final and the Third-Place game on Sunday.
You can find the full schedule here.
Media guide
Previous editions
Since 1966, the teams from Europe have dominated this event, winning a total of 24 events, with 16 runners-up finishes, as well. The Spanish teams are responsible for 12 of those titles, Real Madrid being the winningest club of the event with five trophies to their name.
The Americas are second on the all-time list with 10 cups, six won by the FIBA Americas teams, three by the NABL teams and one by an NCAA team, Maryland Terrapins back in 1974.
Looking at the countries represented in 2026, the United States, Lithuania and Argentina already had Intercontinental Cup champions. Three different US teams won it; Zalgiris Kaunas finished first in 1986, while Obras Sanitarias waved the Argentine flag from the top step of the podium in 1983.
Teams from Asia and Africa never finished higher than third in the Intercontinental Cup, both happening over the last three years, when the six team format was introduced.
Last three events
Year | Champion | 2nd place | 3rd place | 4th place | 5th place | 6th place |
2023 | Sesi Franca (BRA) | Telekom Baskets Bonn (GER) | Zhejiang Golden Bulls (CHN) | Al Ahly (EGY) | NBA G League Ignite (USA) | Al Manama (BRN) |
2024 | Unicaja (ESP) | NBA G League United (USA) | Tasmania JackJumpers (AUS) | Al Riyadi (LBN) | Petro de Luanda (ANG) | Quimsa (ARG) |
2025 | Unicaja (ESP) | NBA G League United (USA) | Alahli SC (LBA) | Flamengo (BRA) | Illawarra Hawks (AUS) | Utsunomiya Brex (JPN) |
You can find all the participants and results here.