MIES (Switzerland) - You like international basketball? Get ready for hoops hysteria - 2026 style!
Put these events on your calendar.
FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Qualifiers (Feb. 23 to March 3)
The action will be fast, furious and frenetic when national teams resume their FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifying campaigns in Asia, Africa, the Americas and Europe. For several days, countries will square off on the hardwood and new stars will emerge as the 32-team World Cup field in Qatar begins to take shape.
FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments (March 11-17)
There are FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 qualifying tournaments in China, France, Türkiye and Puerto Rico. Hosts Germany and the winners of each Women’s Continental Cup 2025 (Australia, Belgium, Nigeria, and USA) yet 11 spots remain up for grabs at the four six-team Qualifying Tournaments. The teams that finish in the top three of each tournament will qualify for Berlin, except in the Lyon-Villeurbanne tournament, where the top two teams, along with Women's AfroBasket winners Nigeria, and Germany, will advance.
3x3 Champions Cup (March 13-15)
As 3x3 grows in prestige as an Olympic sport, the stakes become higher and higher for national teams. All eyes will be on Bangkok, Thailand, in March. That is where the Serbia men and Canada women will attempt to defend their respective titles, which they won at the inaugural Champions Cup held last year, also in the City of Angels.
EuroLeague Women Final Six (April 15-19)
The premier club competition in women's basketball culminates with its Final Six in Zaragoza, Spain. It's the second consecutive year the historic city and basketball hotspot stages the season-ending showpiece event. Will favorites Fenerbahce take care of unfinished business after being upset in 2025 and coming up short of the Final, or will another team finish draw inspiration from ZVVZ USK Prague's amazing finish?
FIBA 3x3 World Tour Utsunomiya Opener (April 25-26)
The first big event on the FIBA 3x3 World Tour is again Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture. The world’s best teams will square off at the iconic Futaarayama Jinja Shrine. It's the fifth consecutive year Utsunomiya hosts the World Tour Opener, with Miami (USA) winning the last two editions.
10. Basketball Champions League Final Four (May 8-10)
In the 10th season of the Basketball Champions League, Unicaja Malaga will be going for a third consecutive title, or Tenerife could also grab a third crown - something that's never been done in competition history. With 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup MVP Ricky Rubio on the books of Joventut Badalona, maybe that famous club will capture the championship for the first time? Or maybe there will be a first-time winner from France or Türkiye? Stay tuned.
FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2026 (June 1-7)
All eyes will be on the Polish capital as magnificent Warsaw stages the FIBA 3x3 flagship event for the first time. There will be 40 of the best men’s and women’s national teams from across the globe putting on a fast-paced, highly-skilled show that is always a big hit. Spain's men and the Netherlands' women won the FIBA 3x3 World Cup in 2025.
FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup (June 27 to July 5)
Who are the stars of tomorrow? You'll find out when the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup is held in Istanbul, Türkiye. The City Where East Meets West is one of the hoops capitals of the world. The USA will be gunning for their eighth title in as many attempts.
FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Qualifiers (June 29 to July 7)
If some national teams are likely to have their Second Round spots sewn up, others will be facing do-or-die contests to advance in this third international window for the FIBA Basketball World Cup. Don't forget the added pressure of goal differential as advancing often depends on tie-breakers. Games will be played in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe, with numerous NBA stars linking up with their national sides.
FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup (July 11-19)
Will a country take a page of Australia's book and prevent the USA from winning the title, something the Sapphires did in 2017 when beating Italy in the Final? Or will the Americans capture their fourth consecutive crown in the prestigious event? One certainty is that the best young talent in international basketball will be on display when this year's U17 Women's Basketball World Cup is held in Brno, Czech Republic.
FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers 2027 (Aug. 24 to Sept. 1)
The intensity level goes up a notch when the Second Round of World Cup Qualifiers gets underway. There will be games in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. Once again, many NBA players will take center stage by putting on their national team jerseys before their new league gets underway.
FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup (September 4-13)
The amazing city of Berlin, Germany, will once again be the destination for basketball fans as the best players in the game go after the most prestigious trophy in international women's hoops. If the 2024 Olympics is any indication, 2024 Olympics MVP A'ja Wilson and USA are going to be tested when they attempt to win a fifth consecutive title. Sixteen national teams in all will compete at the event.
FIBA 3x3 Women's Series 2026 Final (September 5-6)
The pressure-packed 3x3 Women's Series Final will be in Shanghai, China, for the second consecutive year. It's another chance for Canada to reinforce their status as the powerhouse of the Women's Series, with the country having won three of the six titles in competition history.
FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers 2027 (Nov. 23 to Dec. 1)
The penultimate international window of qualifiers for Qatar 2027 means wall to wall basketball for several days. Once again, the action will take place in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa. Every game is vital. Only 32 teams will clinch places in the World Cup, which is being held Aug. 27 to Sept. 12 next year in Doha.
FIBA 3x3 World Tour Final 2026 (December)
Nothing gets the juices flowing like an end-of-year hoops gala like the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Final. Many battles will be waged before when get to season-ender, but it's safe to assume Dr Strange (2025 World Tour MVP) Strahinja Stojacic and his Ub team will be in the reckoning after last year's incredible run, which included a Quarter-Final classic triumph over Amsterdam Rabobank. The Dutch team had edged Ub in the last eight the previous year, 21-20. Ub then beat Skyliners and Raudondvaris Hoptrans to lift the trophy. The specific date and location have yet to be announced, so stay tuned!
FIBA