MIES (Switzerland) - FIBA has announced the initial list of host cities set to stage FIBA 3x3 Challengers in 2026, continuing the global expansion of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour qualifying pathway.
The Challenger level remains a vital part of the FIBA 3x3 Pro Circuit, providing teams from around the world with opportunities to earn qualification spots for the FIBA 3x3 World Tour events, while bringing elite 3x3 basketball to new and returning destinations.
Confirmed host cities
Here is the list of confirmed Challengers for 2026, sorted by the FIBA 3x3 World Tour stop to which they qualify.
WORLD TOUR | CHALLENGER | DATES |
|---|---|---|
CHENGDU | HENGQIN | APRIL 11-12 |
ZADAR | SHIBUYA | APRIL 18-19 |
VIENNA | MANILA | MAY 9-10 |
AMSTERDAM | XI'AN | MAY 16-17 |
LAUSANNE | SUKHBAATAR | JUNE 23-24 |
DEBRECEN | UENOHARA | AUGUST 8-9 |
DEBRECEN | FISE BIRMINGHAM | AUGUST 8-9 |
DEQING | BORDEAUX | AUGUST 21-22 |
DEQING | SANSAR | SEPTEMBER 5-6 |
MACAU | HONGCHEON | SEPTEMBER 18-19 |
MACAU | PHOENIX | SEPTEMBER 19-20 |
TO BE CONFIRMED | G HOLDINGS AICHI | OCTOBER 10-11 |
More Challenger and World Tour events are expected to be added in the coming months as preparations for the FIBA 3x3 2026 season continue.
With its blend of iconic sports cities, festival-driven events and fast-growing urban destinations, the FIBA 3x3 2026 Challenger calendar is shaping up to be one of the most diverse and globally connected in the history of the FIBA 3x3 Pro Circuit.
How to Qualify
There are several ways for a team to qualify to a Challenger:
Automatic Allocation:
Allocation procedure for 6–8 teams, open only to Validated Teams, following the Automated Allocation rules described in Art.4.5 of the Pro Circuit Handbook.
Pro Qualifier: Win a Lite Quest event to earn a qualification slot to its assigned Challenger. Information on confirmed Lite Quests:
Check on Play and filter by Lite Quest.
Check the “How to Qualify" section of each Challenger.
LOC WC: Each Challenger organizer has 5 Wildcards that grant entry to their own Challenger.
Organizers that are open to providing their LOC Wildcards to teams, will include their contact information in the description section of their Challenger´s Play page.
FIBA WC: you can find here the current regulation.
Only Validated Teams can compete in Challengers and World Tour events (Pro Events). Non‑validated teams that qualify to a Pro Event will receive instructions on how to complete the validation process shortly after they qualify and must follow the deadlines provided by FIBA to finalize their validation process.
All organizers interested in hosting a World Tour qualifier can contact FIBA's 3x3 team.
Further details, including event dates and qualification pathways, will be announced in due course.
FIBA