By After a decade away, Brazil returned to the FIBA 3×3 World Tour calendar with a major event — and is now preparing to host up to three more international stages in 2026.
By Paulo Pinto / Global Sports
Curitiba / Brazil, September 18, 2025
Following the success of the FIBA 3×3 Challenger in Brasília, MCS – Marketing Consulting Sports, the company holding the event rights in Brazil, announced the possibility of hosting up to three international competitions in 2026. Staged at Pátio Brasil Shopping on September 13–14, the tournament marked Brazil’s return to the official FIBA calendar after more than a decade, featuring national and international teams, including Barcelona, the reigning world champion, and Amsterdam Rabobank, the Olympic champion, in high-level clashes.
Consolidating 3×3 in Brazil
The initiative is part of MCS’s broader strategy, in partnership with FIBA and supported by the Brazilian Basketball Confederation (CBB), to establish Brazil as an international hub for 3×3. The plan also includes strengthening the Brasileirão 3×3 league, which will feature seven stages in different capitals, as well as leveraging exclusive 3×3 Training Centers — already operational in Diadema (SP) and soon in Belo Horizonte (MG).
According to MCS CEO Maurício Santos, the advances reflect a long-term vision for the sport’s development in the country:
“The Brasília Challenger was a milestone for Brazilian 3×3 basketball. We delivered an event of international standard and proved Brazil’s potential to host major competitions. We applied the most modern concepts of sports marketing, entertainment and broadcasting. Our goal is to expand this presence by bringing more international stages in 2026, strengthening the athlete base in partnership with the Brazilian School Sport Confederation, and expanding the national calendar to position Brazil among the world’s 3×3 leaders.”
Expected impact
The expected outcomes include boosting Brazil’s international ranking — essential for Olympic qualification — while promoting sports tourism and generating new business opportunities for athletes, clubs, teams and federations.
Confirmed partners already include REALS BET, TRIO energy bars and MOLTEN balls. MCS is also negotiating with one of Brazil’s largest energy drink companies, leading education players, and other major sponsors, alongside the support of state and local governments.
A prestigious opening
The Challenger’s opening ceremony brought together leading sports and government figures: Maurício Carlos dos Santos, CEO of MCS; Fábio Deschamps, Vice President of CBB; Ignacio Soriano, FIBA 3×3 Executive; Renato Junqueira, Secretary of Sports and Leisure of the Federal District Government; and Iziane Castro Marques, Brazil’s National Secretary for Elite Sport at the Ministry of Sports. Their presence underscored the importance of Brazil’s return to the international circuit.
FIBA’s perspective
According to Ignacio Soriano, FIBA Head of Events, the return of the Challenger to Brazil after ten years is a historic milestone that strengthens the country’s role on the global stage and was only possible through MCS’s strategic partnership.
“We found in Brasília an extraordinary atmosphere, with games of the highest technical level and stands energized by the passion of the fans. MCS’s work was crucial for the event’s success and for advancing joint plans to elevate 3×3 basketball in Brazil.”
Soriano emphasized that MCS not only executed this stage with excellence but is also building a consistent, long-term roadmap:
“The passion shown on and off the court confirms the huge growth potential of this market. We are confident that exciting times lie ahead — both for Brazilian basketball and for the global 3×3 scene.”
Commitment to the future
Looking ahead, Maurício Santos reaffirmed MCS’s commitment to providing structure, quality, organization and visibility so that 3×3 basketball can grow sustainably in Brazil:
“We work across the entire value chain of the sport — from grassroots to elite level — covering infrastructure, sponsorship and event promotion. Our commitment is to consolidate 3×3 as one of the most dynamic and accessible sports in the world, and we want Brazil to be among its leading players.”
