NAGOYA (Japan) – The race for FIBA 3×3 World Tour 2026 stops intensifies as the FIBA 3×3 Go Too! Group Aichi Challenger 2026 brings a loaded international field to LaLaport NAGOYA minato AQULS on October 10-11 in Aichi Prefecture, with three coveted tickets to FIBA 3×3 World Tour Manama 2026 up for grabs. As the 27th Challenger of the season and the penultimate stop before Belo Horizonte, the Go Too! Group Aichi Challenger presents a crucial opportunity for contenders to strengthen their campaigns and secure a place on the FIBA 3×3 World Tour.

Contenders collide

Liman (SRB) headline the field as the second-ranked team in the 2026 season standings. With two World Tour titles and three Challenger victories already under their belt, the Serbian powerhouse arrive in Nagoya with a proven winning formula and the firepower to make another deep run.

Skyliners (GER), ranked eighth overall, are another major threat. The German side have already captured a Challenger stop win this season and will look to build on that success against a competitive field.

Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU), currently ninth, and Shanghai (CHN), ranked 11th, are both eager to break through for their first stop victories of the campaign. Toronto (CAN), Cibona Ph.Classic (CRO) and Crvena Zvezda (SRB) also bring plenty of experience, while hosts Shibuya (JPN) will aim to capitalize on home-court support after claiming a Challenger title of their own earlier this season.

With three FIBA 3×3 World Tour places available, the stakes are high for every team looking to turn a strong Challenger performance into a ticket to Manama.

Star power across the court

The Go Too! Group Aichi Challenger will feature an impressive collection of established 3×3 basketball talents. Liman will rely on Stefan Milivojevic to lead their title charge, while Skyliners turn to Stefan Kojic, whose scoring ability makes him a key figure in their pursuit of another trophy.

Ignas Vaitkus will be one to watch for Raudondvaris Hoptrans, while Shanghai count on the experience of FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2026 MVP Karlis Lasmanis to help drive their campaign. Toronto’s Westher Molteni brings veteran know-how, and Roko Spaseski will be central to Cibona Ph.Classic’s hopes.

Marko Dordevic gives Crvena Zvezda another dangerous offensive option, while Shibuya will look to FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Crelan 2026 champion Kristaps Gluditis to help the Japanese side make the most of their home advantage.

Full Seeding List

1. Liman (SRB)
2. Skyliners (GER)
3. Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU)
4. Shanghai (CHN)
5. Toronto (CAN)
6. Cibona Ph.Classic (CRO)
7. Crvena Zvezda (SRB)
8. Shibuya (JPN)
9. Shinjuku SS (JPN)
10. Singapore (SGP)
11. Beijing (CHN)
12. Seef (BRN)
13. Melbourne (AUS)
14. Kinshasa (COD)
15. Balige (INA)
16. Nagoya (JPN)

Pools

Qualifying Draw A: Beijing (CHN), Kinshasa (COD), Balige (INA)
Qualifying Draw B: Seef (BRN), Melbourne (AUS), Nagoya (JPN)

Main Draw

Pool A: Liman (SRB), Shibuya (JPN), Shinjuku SS (JPN)
Pool B: Skyliners (GER), Crvena Zvezda (SRB), Singapore (SGP)
Pool C: Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU), Cibona Ph.Classic (CRO), QD A
Pool D: Shanghai (CHN), Toronto (CAN), QD B

Road to Manama

With the Challenger season approaching its conclusion, Aichi represents one of the final opportunities for teams to book their World Tour places before the Pro Circuit heads to Belo Horizonte on November 7-8.

In a field featuring established champions, hungry challengers and proven international stars, every possession could prove decisive. Nagoya is set for a high-stakes weekend as teams battle for the title and three tickets to Manama.

Stay Connected

Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3×3 World Tour throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official World Tour website, where you can find the latest news, team standings, player statistics and everything you need to follow the Race to the Final. Fans can also keep track of the Event Calendar and the latest FIBA 3×3 Individual and Federation Rankings as teams and players continue their push toward the season finale.

Want to learn more about 3×3 basketball? Explore the official FIBA 3×3 Rules to understand the unique fast-paced format of the game, or discover the FIBA 3×3 Competition Structure to see how the discipline’s global pathway connects grassroots events, professional tours and world-class international competitions.

FIBA

▲ Men’s 3×3 Basketball National Team

The South Korean men’s 3×3 basketball national team, led by head coach Bae Gil-tae, has advanced directly to the quarterfinals after finishing the group stage with a perfect 3-0 record at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

South Korea defeated Singapore 19-14 in their final Group D match of the tournament held today (September 23) at the special court near Kinjofuto Station in Nagoya, Japan.

Having previously secured consecutive victories against Thailand (21-11 win) and Japan (21-12 win), South Korea triumphed over Singapore to claim their third straight win in the group stage, securing the ticket to the quarterfinals reserved for group leaders.

South Korea will face the winner of the match between Indonesia and China, who will advance through the play-in tournament, in the quarterfinals.

A total of 16 teams are competing in the men’s 3×3 basketball event at this tournament, which features players aged 23 and under (U-23).

The format dictates that each group winner advances directly to the quarterfinals, while the second and third-place teams play in a play-in tournament for the remaining quarterfinal tickets.

Since 3×3 basketball was adopted as an official event at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games, South Korea is aiming for its first-ever gold medal at this tournament.

In particular, Lee Ju-young, Kim Seung-woo (both from Yonsei University), Lee Dong-geun (Korea University), and Gu Min-gyo (Sungkyunkwan University), who combined to finish as runners-up at the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup in April of this year, are maintaining their teamwork, making them strong medal contenders.

They finished first overall at the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League Central and East Asia regional tournament last month to secure a spot in the U-23 World Cup, and after competing in the U-23 World Cup held in China from September 15 to 19 to solidly build their teamwork, they arrived in Nagoya.

In the match against Singapore, Lee Dong-geun spearheaded the attack with a team-high 7 points along with 3 rebounds and 2 blocks, while Lee Ju-young performed strongly with 5 points and 4 rebounds.

(Photo courtesy of the Korea Basketball Association, Yonhap News)

※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.