FIBA continues to redefine the global basketball landscape through the implementation of initiatives that deliver long-term value across competitions. At the heart of this transformation is the multi-year hosting model, which has laid a strong foundation for refining the essential elements that contribute to highly successful events.
Additionally, the phenomenal success of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia raised expectations to new heights. This momentum has shaped the current cycle's strategic focus on:
Application of FIBA Standards
Players' Experience
Promotion and Fan Engagement
Financial Sustainability
Home-and-Away Games Optimization
Consistent Standards Across Competitions
The Application of FIBA Standards project plays a vital role in ensuring consistency and quality across national team competitions. This has included the adoption of FIBA Guidelines software and project management tools, the formation of a global working group to align competition criteria, the development of standardized templates for youth and senior tournaments, and other initiatives to help promote sustainable hosting practices.
Elevating the Players' Experience
In April 2025, FIBA introduced a suite of enhancements to improve the Players' Experience:
Recovery zones, player ticketing, and family-friendly services
A regional database tracking player support activities
A tiered experience framework for youth and senior events, ensuring quality from arrival to departure
Boosting Promotion & Fan Engagement
FIBA has put efforts into both promotion and fan engagement of its major events by focusing on enhancing both on-site and on-screen experiences to captivate audiences. Efforts have been directed toward increasing arena attendance and promoting events across multiple channels.
A Game Experience Task Force was established to develop tailored strategies for different levels of competition, while collaboration with Regional Offices has strengthened initiatives such as school activations, innovative ticketing models, and dynamic social media campaigns.
Additionally, FIBA has actively engaged both current and retired players to amplify promotional efforts and connect more deeply with fans.
Optimizing Home-and-Away Qualifier Games
To improve the delivery of home-and-away qualification games, FIBA has strengthened logistical planning, particularly in regions facing infrastructure challenges. Support for National Federations has been enhanced through improved practices in equipment distribution, venue standards, and staffing. Additionally, FIBA introduced a certification program for game directors to help standardize operations and ensure consistent quality across all qualification events.
Ensuring Financial Sustainability
FIBA is dedicated to ensuring the financial sustainability of senior competitions by launching pilot sponsorship programs and exploring new revenue streams through FIBA Marketing. This commitment is further supported by the integration of financial self-sustainability initiatives such as FIBA Plus and FIBA Academy, along with the development of host mentoring programs designed to optimize resource use and maximize revenue.