The upcoming Fiba 3×3 Hong Kong Masters, scheduled for next month, is generating considerable excitement in the basketball community. As the final event before the season’s grand finale in Saudi Arabia, the stakes are high for teams competing at Victoria Park. Not only are coveted spots in the global finals on the line, but there’s also a substantial purse of US$130,000 in total prize money, with the event’s champions taking home US$40,000.
Event organizers are optimistic about an increased turnout this year, projecting a 40 percent rise in attendance compared to last year’s debut event in Hong Kong. The prediction is for an 80 percent occupancy rate across the event’s duration, with up to 1,000 seats available for each session over the two-day tournament. Last year’s event saw a 57 percent ticket sale, but this year’s expectations are set higher, despite the challenges posed by inclement weather during the previous edition.
On the court, the competition is expected to be fierce, with teams eyeing one of the 14 spots in the Jeddah finals. Twelve teams from the World Tour will be joined by a local team and a wildcard entry, making the Hong Kong leg crucial for teams like Paris, Hangzhou, and Princeton. These teams are in a tight race to surpass San Juan, currently holding the 12th spot, who are not participating in the Hong Kong event.
Paris, currently in 15th place, has a viable path to the finals if they can secure a semi-final berth in Hong Kong. Hangzhou and Princeton, ranked 16th and 17th respectively, also have chances but face tough requirements. Hangzhou needs at least a third-place finish, while Princeton must win the tournament outright.
The group stages will see intense battles, with Hangzhou and Princeton both drawn in Group A alongside Serbian powerhouse Ub Huishan NE, the tour leaders with a formidable 79 percent win rate. Paris finds itself in Group B with the fourth-ranked Antwerp team and a qualifier.
Local favorites Wu Kai Sha are also in the mix, buoyed by the news that guard Hyman Hui Huen-hang will be fit to play despite a recent neck injury. As winners of the Hong Kong Quest, they face Jeddah and Montenegro’s Podgorica Kodio in the preliminaries, with the winners advancing to the pool stage.
Ticket options range from day passes at HK$100 to premium Sunday passes at HK$680, inclusive of a limited edition Octopus card, available through HK Ticketing. This year’s Fiba 3×3 Hong Kong Masters is not just a basketball tournament; it’s a celebration of the sport’s growing popularity and the fervent support of its fans.
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