Singapore Sports Hub secures three-year deal to host FIBA Intercontinental Cup

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has agreed a three-year deal with Sport Singapore for the city to host its Intercontinental Cup club competition.

The Singapore Sports Hub will become the first Asian venue to stage the event, beginning its hosting of the next three editions of the tournament from 21st to 24th September this year.

With the new hosting, FIBA has opted to move the tournament from being staged in February, with the Spanish island of Tenerife playing host last month and the Egyptian capital of Cairo staging in 2022.

Moving the tournament to September is seen as a better fit with the calendars of domestic and continental leagues, as well as the schedule of international players.

This year’s Singapore event will feature an expanded field of six teams, including a Chinese club jointly selected by FIBA and the Chinese Basketball Association, as well as the respective champions from Europe’s Basketball Champions League, Basketball Africa League and Basketball Champions League Americas. NBA G League team Ignite will also compete alongside a sixth participant that will be announced by FIBA in due course.

Singapore also staged last year’s 3×3 Asia Cup and has been awarded hosting rights to the next three editions of the three-a-side tournament featuring national teams from Asia and Oceania.

Commenting on the new hosting deal, FIBA Secretary General, Andreas Zagklis stated “this agreement serves both as the realisation of a basketball dream that dates back generations as well as a launchpad into the future era of global club basketball. Singapore, as a melting pot of cultures, is perhaps the ideal place to bring that vision to life.”

Sport Singapore Deputy Chief Executive, Toh Boon Yi added “building on the success of the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2022, which will return for another edition this month, we are happy to host the FIBA Intercontinental Cup that will treat fans here to world-class high-impact basketball action.

“Ranked top five in our annual National Sports Participation Survey, basketball has always been a popular sport among Singaporeans. The FIBA Intercontinental Cup will further enhance the interest and inspire more people, especially the youth to play and watch the sport.”

The FIBA Intercontinental Cup will be staged at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, the oldest of the Singapore Sports Hub’s venues.

Singapore was also recently awarded hosting rights for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships.

Images: FIBA's Intercontinental Cup (top, credit: FIBA) and the Singapore Indoor Stadium (below).