Beijing to Host the FIBA Intercontinental Cup Through 2028

The FIBA Intercontinental Cup is moving to China. FIBA confirmed on Friday that Beijing will stage the global club showpiece for the next three years, from 2026 through 2028, with the first edition in the Chinese capital tipping off in late September 2026.
Beijing takes over from Singapore, which hosted the tournament from 2023 to 2025, a spell FIBA credited with steadily raising the event's profile by drawing clubs from Africa, Asia and Oceania. The deal also gives Beijing a notable distinction, adding FIBA's flagship club competition to its résumé after the city co-hosted the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis framed the move as part of a long-running effort to modernize a competition with deep roots, noting that the event traces back to 1965 and "has evolved into a truly global tournament." He thanked the organizing partners, including the Chinese Basketball Association, the Beijing Municipality, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports and the Beijing Enterprise Group, and expressed confidence the tournament would keep growing over the three-year term calling on the partners to deliver memorable basketball in 2026, 2027 and 2028.
The competition carries a rich history. Across 35 editions, it has featured 36 participants from six continents, with Europe leading the all-time count on 24 titles. Spain is the most successful nation with 12 crowns, the last six earned by clubs representing the Basketball Champions League Europe.
Several teams have already secured their places for the 2026 edition by winning their respective continental titles: Rytas Vilnius of Lithuania (Basketball Champions League Europe), Boca Juniors of Argentina (Basketball Champions League Americas) and the RSSB Tigers of Rwanda (Basketball Africa League). The full field is to be confirmed at a later stage.