France entered the final event of the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series 2026 without having won a single stop during the season, but left with the biggest title of all. At almost the same time, Shibuya began the Kaohsiung Challenger in qualifying and completed the longest possible journey to the top of the podium. These two contrasting paths shaped a weekend in which Miami also won the Sansar title and six teams secured new places at the Deqing World Tour stop.
The three competitions represented different stages within FIBA 3×3’s professional structure. The Final in Shanghai brought the women’s circuit to a close after an international season, while the Sansar and Kaohsiung Challengers provided routes into the FIBA 3×3 World Tour. Between them, the two events awarded six tickets to the Deqing stop, which will take place in China on September 26–27. The same weekend therefore produced a Women’s Series champion and six teams whose international campaigns will continue.
France win when no stops remain
France had competed throughout the Women’s Series without turning their previous performances into a tournament victory, but produced their best result when the calendar offered no further opportunities. They finished first in a three-way tie during the pool stage, defeated Neftchi SOCAR 15–13 in the Semi-Finals and overcame Rapid Bucharest 22–14 in the title game. The triumph was their first stop victory of 2026 and, at the same time, their third Women’s Series season championship following previous successes in 2019 and 2024. Rapid finished second, the Netherlands took third place and Neftchi completed the top four.
Laetitia Guapo was named the Final’s Most Valuable Player after recording 30 points and 22 rebounds during the tournament. Her influence was particularly important in the two knockout games that decided the championship, while Marie-Eve Paget hit a two-pointer to halt Rapid’s final comeback attempt before adding another on the buzzer. Both players were also part of the French teams that won in 2019 and 2024, giving them three Women’s Series season titles. The competition also recognised Li Ruoying, of Beijing, with the Young Talent’s Laura Award for the best player under the age of 25 at the Final.
Miami lead three teams to Deqing
At the Sansar Challenger in Ulaanbaatar, Miami confirmed their consistency on the circuit by claiming their second title of the season. The United States team completed an unbeaten pool stage, then eliminated Hangzhou Jingwei and Lausanne before defeating Amsterdam RABOBANK 18–14 in the Final. Riley Battin scored eight points in the title game, while James Parrott was named Most Valuable Player for his overall contribution across the tournament. The title also carried an additional reward: Miami and Amsterdam qualified for Deqing alongside home side Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy, who finished third.
The weekend’s longest route, however, belonged to Shibuya at the Kaohsiung Challenger. The Japanese team had to begin in qualifying, where they defeated Balige and Phoenix to reach the Main Draw. They then opened with a victory over hosts Taipei WanBao, survived a three-way tie in their pool and beat Raudondvaris Hoptrans in the Quarter-Finals. Shibuya eliminated top seeds Antwerp 21–19 in the Semi-Finals before meeting Taipei again in the Final. With the score tied at 19–19, Kristaps Gluditis converted the decisive two-pointer to seal a 21–19 victory and the title. His 34 points and influence in the knockout rounds also earned him the Most Valuable Player award.
Six places, but not for the top six
The two Challengers awarded six places at Deqing, although they did not go exactly to the top three finishers at each tournament. Miami, Amsterdam and Ulaanbaatar secured the available tickets in Sansar. Shibuya and Taipei advanced from Kaohsiung alongside Utrecht, who had finished fourth after losing to the hosts in the Semi-Finals. Third place went to Antwerp, but the Belgian team had already qualified through their result at the Bordeaux Challenger. The remaining place therefore passed to Utrecht, who converted a top-four finish into their opportunity to compete on the World Tour.
The Women’s Series has now completed its campaign with France as champions and will return in 2027, while the rest of the FIBA 3×3 calendar continues. The Europe Cup takes place this week in Antwerp, before the U23 World Cup begins in Wuhan. The Challenger circuit will then resume with stops in Hongcheon and Phoenix ahead of the Deqing World Tour event. Teams arriving through different qualification routes will converge there, including a Miami side with two titles this season and a Shibuya team who had to start in qualifying to earn their place.
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