GOLD COAST (Australia) - New Caledonia will take centre stage this June as host of the 2026 FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League, marking only the second time Oceania has delivered the regional event following the success of the 2025 edition held during the Pacific Mini Games.
The tournament will bring together emerging 3x3 talent from New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga, and Solomon Islands, offering a rare home‑region qualification pathway to the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup 2026.
As the sole qualification route to the U23 World Cup, the Nations League carries significant weight. Aside from automatic berths for hosts China and the 2025 World Cup champions (Lithuania men and Netherlands women), all remaining 18 teams per gender will earn their place based on their Nations League performance. For Oceania’s young athletes, many of whom are preparing for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, this event provides both a competitive springboard and a meaningful development milestone.
FIBA Executive Director – Oceania, Amanda Jenkins, said hosting the event in New Caledonia reflects the region’s growing commitment to 3x3 as a strategic priority.
“3x3 is one of the most powerful accelerators we have for emerging basketball nations,” Ms Jenkins said. “Hosting Youth Nations League in Oceania ensures our young players gain access to high level competition. It’s a direct investment in the next generation, and New Caledonia is the perfect host to carry that momentum forward.”
The 2026 edition also carries long term benefits beyond World Cup qualification. To further strengthen pathways, the best ranked National Federations at the U23 World Cup will receive preferential access to the FIBA 3x3 Pro Circuit (Men) and the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series in 2027. For Pacific nations building sustainable 3x3 programs, this creates a tangible link between youth development and professional opportunity.
Set against the turquoise lagoons and rich Kanak cultural heritage that define the archipelago, New Caledonia offers a uniquely vibrant backdrop for the 2026 FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League. As one of the Pacific’s most dynamic sporting destinations, the territory blends world‑class facilities with a deep community passion for basketball, making it an ideal stage for emerging 3x3 talent.
For New Caledonia, hosting the event is both a sporting milestone and a community celebration. A representative from the New Caledonia Basketball Federation President, Thierry Durand said the event will energise local fans and inspire young players across the territory.
“To welcome the Youth Nations League is a proud moment for our basketball community,” Mr Durand said. “Our young athletes will compete on home soil, our volunteers and officials will gain invaluable experience, and our fans will see first hand what the future of 3x3 looks like. It’s more than a tournament, it’s a catalyst for growth.”
With Fiji’s men’s and women’s teams and Tonga’s women’s team deep in preparation for the Commonwealth Games, the timing of the Nations League offers a high performance lead in that aligns perfectly with their competitive calendar. For Solomon Islands and New Caledonia, the event provides a platform to accelerate youth development and strengthen national 3x3 structures.
The return of the Youth Nations League to Oceania underscores FIBA’s broader strategic objective, using 3x3 as a fast, accessible, and community driven format to elevate emerging basketball nations.
Hosting the event allows New Caledonia to showcase not only its natural beauty and warm hospitality, but also its growing commitment to youth sport, high performance pathways, and regional cooperation. For visiting teams and fans, the tournament promises an unforgettable mix of elite competition and Pacific charm, where the energy of 3x3 meets the spirit of an island community proud to welcome the region.
As the countdown to June begins, New Caledonia is poised to deliver an event that not only shapes qualification outcomes but also deepens the region’s long term investment in the sport.