The International Basketball Federation -FIBA- confirmed on Tuesday the first host cities for the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series 2026, with the season set to begin in Chengdu, China, on May 1–2 and conclude at the Project Redwings Shanghai Final on September 5–6 in Shanghai, China. Considered the leading professional circuit in women’s 3×3 basketball, the competition will once again connect major urban centers across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, reflecting a structure that has steadily expanded since its launch.
Since its introduction in 2019, the circuit has evolved from an inaugural season featuring 14 events and eight national teams in Chengdu, to a calendar with more than 20 confirmed stops in 2026. That first edition ended in Edmonton, Canada, following a global tour that included host cities such as Turin, Ekaterinburg, La Rochelle, and Debrecen, establishing the foundation of a competition designed to provide elite players with regular international opportunities.
Opening and closing in Asia
The 2026 season will open in Chengdu, one of the original host cities of the circuit, before moving to Manila, Philippines, and returning to Shanghai. The Chinese metropolis will not only host an early-season stop but will also stage the official final, after being confirmed as the host city for the decisive event from 2025 through 2028. “The Women’s Series continues to set the standard for women’s 3×3 basketball worldwide,” said Alex Sanchez, Managing Director of FIBA 3×3, who added that “the competition reflects FIBA’s strong commitment to advancing women’s basketball and ensuring athletes have access to international opportunities.”
Following the Asian leg, the circuit will enter a dense June schedule featuring established basketball destinations across multiple continents. Vienna, Austria, will open this phase, followed by stops in Orléans and Poitiers, France, as well as Amsterdam, Netherlands, Sumgait, Azerbaijan, and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, highlighting the geographical breadth of the competition.
The organizational expansion has been accompanied by a broader competitive field, including Olympic champions, World Cup winners, and teams representing both national federations and private structures. In recent seasons, the calendar has reached record levels, including in 2023, when the circuit featured 23 international events and distributed more than one million dollars in total prize money.
Marbella places Spain on the global circuit map
The schedule will continue in July with events in Marseille, France, Marbella, Spain, Baku, Azerbaijan, and Batam, Indonesia, maintaining a rotation between European and Asian host cities. The inclusion of Marbella brings Spain into the international circuit for the 2026 season, joining countries that have played a recurring role in hosting events. In August, the competition will move to Tokyo and Takasaki, Japan, as well as Singapore, Bangkok, Thailand, Sea Breeze, Azerbaijan, Bordeaux, France, and Debrecen, Hungary, before concluding in Shanghai. This geographic distribution continues the model established in 2019, when the circuit began with fewer than ten host cities and has since developed into a stable international network spanning several continents.
The Women’s Series honors list reflects the global reach of women’s 3×3 basketball, with champions emerging from different regions. France won the inaugural title in 2019 and repeated in 2024, while Germany secured the circuit in 2021. Canada has dominated several recent seasons, winning titles in 2022, 2023, and 2025, including the final held in Mongolia during one of the most extensive editions of the competition.
FIBA confirmed that additional host cities for the 2026 season will be announced in the coming weeks, as the circuit maintains its regular-season format culminating in a final between the top-ranked teams. Alex Sanchez stated that “in 2026, we will take the energy of 3×3 basketball worldwide, bringing the game closer to communities and creating unforgettable moments for players, organizers and fans.”
