Asian women’s basketball will experience a key moment in 2027 with the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup being held in the Philippines, according to an announcement by the FIBA Asia Regional Office following the approval of venues for the main events of the 2026-2028 cycle. The decision, made during the FIBA Asia Board meeting on Thursday, marks the return of a continental tournament to the country more than a decade later.
The last time the Philippines hosted a continental event was in 2013, when Manila hosted the FIBA Asia Cup. Since then, the country has hosted global events, such as the successful 2023 FIBA World Cup, but had not hosted a competition of this level in Asia again.
A boost for women’s basketball in the Philippines
FIBA-Asia CEO Hagop Khajirian highlighted the importance of bringing the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup to a country with such passionate basketball fans. According to Khajirian, the event will serve to reinforce the efforts of FIBA and the local federation, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, in promoting women’s basketball both in the Philippines and across the continent.
SBP President Alfredo S. Panlilio stressed that the timing is ideal for hosting the competition, as Philippine women’s basketball is undergoing a period of growth, with the creation of a professional league and national players competing abroad.
Development of Asian basketball
The calendar approved by FIBA Asia includes other notable venues for the coming years. Indonesia will host the FIBA U16 Women’s Asia Cup 2027 and the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2028, as a prelude to hosting the U17 and U19 World Championships in 2028 and 2029, respectively. Indonesia already co-hosted the FIBA World Cup 2023 alongside the Philippines and Japan.
Qatar, which will host the 2027 FIBA World Cup, will organize the 2026 FIBA U18 Asia Cup, while Kazakhstan will make history by becoming the first country in Central Asia to host a FIBA Asia competition, with the 2028 FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup. Jordan will once again host a continental event with the 2027 FIBA U16 Asia Cup, consolidating its role as a host country in the region.
The choice of these venues is in line with FIBA Asia’s strategy to promote the development of basketball across the continent, focusing on countries with organizational capacity and growth potential for the sport.
