Sydney to host FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2023

Asia’s best women’s basketballers will face off in NSW from 26th June to 2nd July when the 2023 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup is staged at the Quaycentre in Sydney Olympic Park.

Set to attract elite basketballers from across the Asia and Oceania region, this will be the second consecutive year when Sydney welcomes international women’s basketball teams and fans to its shores, after successfully hosting the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in September last year.

The premier women's national team basketball competition for teams from the Asia/Oceania region, the inaugural FIBA Women's Asia Cup took place in South Korea in 1965.

Since then Korea has won 12 of the 29 editions, China 11 and current reigning champions, Japan, holds six titles - including the last five in a row.

The Opals, who are currently ranked second in Asia behind China and ahead of Japan, took home the bronze medal in 2021 when the event was last played in Jordan.

Taking place every two years, 2023 will mark the tournament’s 30th edition and the first time it has been hosted in Australia.

Basketball Australia Chief Executive, Matt Scriven said having the opportunity to host the event was a coup for Australia and NSW, commenting “this will be the first time Australia has hosted the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup and we’re incredibly honoured that the best basketballers from across our region will make their way to Sydney to compete on our home soil.

“Following the success of last year’s FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, which saw us achieve record crowds in Sydney, we know women’s basketball has a highly engaged audience in New South Wales and participation keeps growing.

“With our women’s national team currently ranked second in Asia, this will be a fantastic competition and we hope all sports fans from around Australia will travel to Sydney to cheer on the green and gold and help create a lasting legacy for our sport.”

NSW Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the decision to host the tournament in Sydney was a result of the NSW Government’s track record of successfully hosting international sporting competitions, stating “record crowds at the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup and a deep passion for the sport has seen Sydney again selected to host another major global sporting tournament.

“The 2023 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup will see the region’s leading basketball nations battle it out for gold at Sydney Olympic Park and give Sydney’s passionate basketball fans the chance to again get behind the Opals.”

The Opals, who are currently ranked second in Asia behind China and ahead of Japan, took home the bronze medal in 2021 when the event was last played in Jordan.

Images: Opals stars Jade Melbourne Tess Madgen at today's announcement of Sydney's hosting of the 2023 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup (top) and the Opals in actions during 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup (below). Credit: Basketball Australia.