From August 25 to September 10, 2023, the Philippines — along with Japan and Indonesia — will host the biggest basketball tournament in the world: The 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
The Philippines is undoubtedly a basketball-loving nation, so the excitement that Filipinos feel for the sports event is very much palpable. It’s undeniably the most prestigious event that the country will host since the 1978 FIBA World Championship. There is high anticipation of the arrival of the 15 national teams, which include long-time favorites USA, Greece, China, Lithuania, and our very own Gilas Pilipinas.
FIBA Basketball World Cup Draw Completed in Manila
Last April 29, world basketball luminaries such as Yao Ming, Luis Scola, and Dirk Nowitzki graced the country during the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Draw held at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, where the organization announced the list of teams that will be playing in the country, and who they will face during the flagship event.
The Philippine leg of the event will feature hotly-anticipated national teams from Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The arrival of Team USA — which will likely feature top NBA players — is arguably the biggest talking point of the event.
Earlier on the same day, the FIBA in Manila Draw Festival took place at Uptown BGC in celebration of the Draw, complete with exciting games, prizes, and a live performance by crowd favorite and Smart ambassadors Ben & Ben.
How to Catch the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Games Live in Person
The highly anticipated Philippine leg of the event will be held at the Araneta Coliseum and the MOA Arena, with the opening games to be held at the Philippine Arena. The full schedule of games can be found here.
People of all ages, whether casual or hardcore basketball fans, can watch the games live with the Game Day Pass. For as low as P999, holders of the Game Day Pass can watch not one but TWO games live on the same day!
Game Pass tickets for the Group Phase (Elimination and Classification) start at P999, while Game Pass tickets for the Finals Phase (Quarter Finals, Semi-Finals, Bronze, and Gold Medal Games) start at P1,399. You can book your Game Pass tickets here.
Are you ready for the biggest, most exciting basketball event of this year? Catch the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 games by getting your Game Pass tickets and witness unparalleled matches between some of the top national teams from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Cheer for your team and watch the games at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, the MOA Arena, and the Philippine Arena.
