After three successful years in Singapore, the FIBA Intercontinental Cup is now starting a new chapter in its 60-year long history, with the event moving to Beijing, China for the first time in September 2026.
The format remains the same in terms of the number of teams represented, with six teams split into two groups of three teams. The top two teams from each group will move to the Semi-Finals, with the winners facing off in the Championship Game on September 27.
Group A will see Rytas Vilnius (Lithuania), the winners of the Basketball Champions League Europe, powered by Ameresco SUNEL; Shanghai Sharks (China), the title holders in the Chinese Basketball Association; and the RSSB Tigers (Rwanda), the reigning champions of Basketball Africa League.
Group B features Boca Juniors (Argentina), the winners of the Basketball Champions League Americas; the Beijing Royal Fighters (China), as the hosts of the event; and the NBA G League United (USA) select team, back-to-back Finalists at the Intercontinental Cup events in 2024 and 2025.
On September 22, Rytas Vilnius will play the RSSB Tigers in Group A, while Boca Juniors face the hosts Beijing in Group B.
On September 23, the NBA G League take the floor for the first time and battle with Boca, with Rytas taking on the Shanghai Sharks.
On September 24, the RSSB Tigers are up against the Shanghai Sharks, while the Beijing Royal Fighters close out the group phase with a game versus the NBA G League United.
September 25 will be a rest day, followed by the two Semi-Finals and the Fifth-Place Game on September 26.
Finally, the Championship Game and the Third-Place Game will be played on September 27.
Since September 2023, when the event switched to a six-team format, Europe has seen the most success, with Unicaja (Spain) lifting the trophy twice.
Sesi Franca (Brazil) are the only Americas winners in this format, picking up the title in 2023.
The NBA G League United are the only team with previous Intercontinental Cup experience, reaching the Final twice.
Rytas Vilnius, RSSB Tigers, Shanghai Sharks, Beijing Royal Fighters and Boca Juniors will all make their Intercontinental Cup debut in 2026.
The media accreditation portal for the FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2026 is expected to open mid August. Additional information regarding the application process will be published in the coming weeks.
FIBA
