El Salvador has officially been confirmed as the host nation for the FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup in both 2026 and 2027, according to announcements from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and local sports authorities. The premier continental tournament will bring elite national teams, including Olympic participants and World Cup medalists, to a custom court set up in the food court area of Plaza Merliot, matching the venue layout utilized during the San Salvador 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games.
Tournament Schedule and Format Details
According to announcements made by regional organizers, the 2026 edition of the FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup is scheduled to run from October 28 through November 1, 2026. A preliminary elimination phase will take place on October 28 and 29, narrowing down the field ahead of the weekend bracket matchups that will culminate in the championship games on November 1. Concurrently, international governing body announcements indicate that the competition window on the official calendar spans early November, while El Salvador has also secured the hosting rights for the 19th edition of the traditional 5×5 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup in 2027.
The 3×3 discipline is played on a half-court featuring a single hoop, utilizing two competing teams of three players on the court with one substitute. Rules dictate a 12-second shot clock and a 10-minute regulation playing time, with the first team to reach 21 points securing an immediate victory.
Record Registration and Global Field
Organizers project a record-setting tournament participation list. Rodolfo Mena, president of the Federación Salvadoreña de Baloncesto (FESABAL), stated that the event has drawn a record registration of 45 national teams across the men’s and women’s categories. The men’s tournament alone features 24 confirmed participating federations, including the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Uruguay, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Colombia, Guatemala, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, El Salvador, Belize, Nicaragua, Honduras, Barbados, and Suriname.
René Martínez, president of the National Institute of Sports of El Salvador (INDES), noted the high caliber of incoming competitors. “Vienen atletas que son olímpicos y que han estado en campeonatos mundiales,” Martínez said, highlighting that the tournament matches the prestige of soccer’s Copa América for the 3×3 basketball world.
Historical Dominance and Regional Ambitions
The United States historically leads the tournament roll of honor across both categories. In the men’s division, the United States has captured four titles, while Puerto Rico has claimed one championship. In the women’s competition, the United States holds three titles, and Canada has secured two championships.
For the host nation, preparations have been underway since January. FESABAL leadership emphasized that both the men’s and women’s national teams are aiming to build on recent momentum, following a fourth-place finish by the women’s squad at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo. Local officials view the multi-year hosting agreement as a strategic pillar for athletic development and international sports tourism, backed by FIBA Americas Executive Director Carlos Alves and FIBA 3×3 Managing Director Alex Sanchez, who both praised the country’s commitment to expanding the discipline throughout the Americas.
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