MIES (Switzerland) – The FIBA 3×3 World Tour Utsunomiya Opener 2026, held on April 25–26 in Utsunomiya, Japan, incorporated a range of sustainability initiatives to reduce the event’s environmental impact, reinforcing the shared commitment of FIBA 3×3 and the Utsunomiya Local Organizing Committee (LOC) to responsible event delivery.
Supported by Utsunomiya Light Power Co., Ltd. as the tournament’s Zero Carbon Action Partner, the event introduced measures designed to reduce its environmental footprint and support more sustainable event management. Among the initiatives implemented was the use of recycled materials, including biomass-based materials, for banners, information boards and other signage installed throughout the competition venue and across the city.
The event also implemented a carbon offset programme to compensate for greenhouse gas emissions generated through tournament operations. The programme covered emissions associated with participating teams’ and players’ travel, as well as electricity consumption at the venue, including power generators. Carbon offsetting enables emissions to be balanced through the purchase of verified carbon credits that support verified emission reduction or carbon removal projects elsewhere.
As part of these efforts, the tournament offset 16 tonnes of CO₂ emissions, retired one carbon credit, and utilized 70 pieces of venue signage produced using recycled or biomass-based materials. While these initiatives represent an early step in the event’s sustainability journey, they reflect the Utsunomiya LOC’s commitment to continuously strengthening environmentally responsible event operations in future editions.
FIBA 3×3 Managing Director Alex Sanchez said:
“Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important part of how we deliver FIBA 3×3 events around the world. Together with our Local Organizing Committees and partners, we are committed to continuously improving our event operations while creating a positive impact for host communities. The initiatives implemented in Utsunomiya demonstrate how collaboration can help us advance these objectives.”
The initiatives implemented in Utsunomiya build on FIBA 3×3’s broader commitment to integrating sustainability across its events and activities. Recent examples include sustainability initiatives introduced during the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2025 in Singapore, environmental responsibility programmes implemented at the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Abu Dhabi 2025, and the work of Spanish international Carlos Martínez, whose efforts to help protect the world’s oceans highlight how members of the global 3×3 community are contributing to environmental awareness both on and off the court.
Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Aoki Katsuyuki, Vice Mayor of Utsunomiya, said:
“Our city has set forth the vision of becoming a ‘Super Smart City’ – a city where people of all generations, from children to senior citizens, can live safely, conveniently, and with a high quality of life while realizing their dreams and aspirations. To achieve this vision, we are advancing the development of three key pillars of society: an inclusive community, a regional circular economy, and a decarbonized society.
We believe that hosting the FIBA 3×3 World Tour, a globally recognized sustainable sporting event, will help raise environmental awareness among our citizens and local businesses, deepen understanding of sustainable urban development, and ultimately contribute to realizing the decarbonized society that our city aspires to achieve.”
The sustainability initiatives in Utsunomiya 2026 form part of the continued collaboration between FIBA 3×3, LOCs and partners to integrate responsible environmental practices into the delivery of international 3×3 basketball events while supporting broader sustainability objectives across the global 3×3 basketball ecosystem.
The WT Utsunomiya Opener marked the opening stop of the FIBA 3×3 World Tour 2026 season. Held for the ninth time in the city and the fifth time as the season opener, the tournament once again highlighted Utsunomiya’s role as one of the leading destinations for 3×3 basketball. Located in Tochigi Prefecture, just north of Tokyo, Utsunomiya has established a strong reputation for hosting international 3×3 basketball events through consistent event delivery and strong local support. The 2026 edition concluded with Liman (SRB) claiming the tournament title.
FIBA remains committed to working alongside host cities, LOCs, partners and the wider 3×3 basketball community to advance responsible event operations while continuing to grow the sport around the world.
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About FIBA 3×3
3×3 basketball is FIBA’s official urban discipline and one of the fastest-growing Olympic sports. It is the most thrilling urban sport in the world. Played on a half-court with a 12-second shot clock, 3×3 basketball is a 10-minute sprint where the first team to 21 wins. The sport’s competition structure includes the FIBA 3×3 World Tour, the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series, and the FIBA 3×3 World Cup and continental Zone Cups and a Champions Cup. The discipline made its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 and returns at Paris 2024 and LA 2028.
FIBA 3×3 World Tour
The FIBA 3×3 World Tour is the elite professional men’s circuit of the discipline. Teams representing world renowned cities, and professional clubs, compete across a global season hosted in the center of major urban environments, earning ranking points and prize money while building toward the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Final. It is the highest level of professional 3×3 competition.
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