El Salvador concluded its first FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup on 1 November, with Canada winning the women’s title and the United States taking the men’s crown. Held from 28 October at Plaza Merliot, the continental national-team championship brought international basketball to a shopping centre in the San Salvador metropolitan area. Over five days, games ran alongside educational activities for coaches and communications staff, connecting sport with commerce and tourism promotion.
The Salvadoran Basketball Federation (FESABAL) organised the tournament with the endorsement of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and free admission throughout. Located in the shopping centre’s food court, the court brought international basketball into an everyday public setting. Men’s and women’s games alternated on the same court, with qualifying rounds preceding the twelve-team main draw in each category.
A court with history and local activity
Plaza Merliot had already hosted 3×3 basketball at the San Salvador 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games. Puerto Rican player Luis Cuascut recalled that connection during the championship: “We won the gold medal on this same court, in this same setting, and it’s a wonderful feeling.” The venue has also remained active domestically: in May, it hosted the opening stop of the 2026 National 3×3 Tour, organised by FESABAL, with men’s and women’s competitions. The continental championship therefore arrived at a venue already used by local players and international teams.
The location created a direct connection with the shopping centre’s businesses and visitors. Aurora Castro, Plaza Merliot’s brand manager, presented its investment in sport as part of the experience offered to families, athletes and customers. Corsatur events coordinator Lya Salazar linked the tournament to promoting the country and giving athletes, relatives and visitors opportunities to discover other Salvadoran destinations. Preparations brought together FESABAL, the National Sports Institute of El Salvador (INDES), tourism representatives and the shopping centre’s management.
Learning alongside the competition
Coaching clinics on 30 and 31 October extended activities to the José Adolfo Pineda National Gymnasium. Slovenian specialists Matic Vidic and Ales Kunc delivered theoretical and practical sessions, with around twenty-five coaches from participating delegations and the Salvadoran basketball community attending the training. Topics included differences between 3×3 and five-on-five basketball, analysis of situations from the tournament itself and on-court demonstrations. “It’s important that all coaches and federations understand these differences so they can develop 3×3 more effectively,” said José Gallardo, coach of Venezuela’s national teams.
The programme also addressed how to communicate the discipline. Mota Elb, FIBA 3×3’s Head of Media, led a workshop on 29 October for delegation communications representatives, also open to coaches and officials. The session covered content formats, social media best practices, collaboration with FIBA channels, rights and accreditation. Tournament coverage combined broadcasters including Aloud Sports, CBC Gem, D Sports and Wapa TV with FIBA’s digital platforms, according to territorial rights arrangements.
Two champions and more events ahead
On court, Canada defeated the United States 21–12 to claim its third women’s title, with Michelle Plouffe named Most Valuable Player. The United States beat Canada 21–15 in the men’s final, securing a third consecutive championship and fifth overall, with Jimmer Fredette taking MVP honours. Colombia earned its first women’s medal, a bronze, while Canada’s men reached their first final. Puerto Rico completed the men’s podium. Both Salvadoran teams reached the quarter-finals, finishing sixth in the men’s competition and seventh in the women’s.
El Salvador will host the 3×3 AmeriCup again in 2027 and will also stage the nineteenth FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, the continental five-on-five championship, that year. Awarding consecutive editions of the 3×3 tournament provides continuity for the host federation’s work and event preparations. “Hosting the competition in consecutive years gives the event continuity on the continental calendar,” explained Alex Sánchez, Managing Director of FIBA 3×3, when the host announcement was made.
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