FIBA has confirmed that Beijing will host the FIBA Intercontinental Cup for the next three editions, beginning in 2026 and running through 2028, marking a new hosting cycle for the global club competition. The announcement was made Friday, June 12, as the tournament transitions from Singapore, which staged the event from 2023 to 2025.
The 2026 edition is scheduled to tip off in late September in Beijing, continuing the competition’s expansion into a multi-continent club showcase. The Intercontinental Cup will again feature champions from major regional leagues, including the Basketball Champions League Europe, Basketball Champions League Americas, and the Basketball Africa League, alongside additional representatives from FIBA’s global ecosystem.
Beijing’s appointment also reflects FIBA’s long-term investment in China as a central hub for global basketball events. The city previously hosted the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, an experience that FIBA leadership cited as a key factor in awarding the new multi-year hosting rights. The collaboration includes the Chinese Basketball Association, Beijing Municipality, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports, and Beijing Enterprise Group.
The Singapore era from 2023 to 2025 was highlighted by steady growth in participation and visibility, with clubs from Africa, Asia, and Oceania increasingly integrated into the competition structure. FIBA noted that the next phase in Beijing aims to build on that momentum with expanded reach and stronger competitive balance.
Historically, the Intercontinental Cup has been dominated by European clubs. Across 35 editions, teams from Europe have captured 24 titles, with Spanish clubs accounting for 12 championships overall, including the most recent run of six titles linked to Basketball Champions League Europe representatives.
The 2026 field is already partially set. Rytas Vilnius of Lithuania, winners of the Basketball Champions League Europe, have secured qualification. Boca Juniors of Argentina will represent the Basketball Champions League Americas, while Rwanda’s RSSB Tigers have booked their place as champions of the Basketball Africa League. Additional participants will be confirmed later, rounding out a multi-continental lineup.
