Mies (Switzerland), April 25 (NationPress) The 2025 FIBA 3x3 World Tour is poised to kick off this weekend in Utsunomiya, Japan, featuring a schedule that closely resembles that of previous years while showcasing ongoing efforts to broaden the sport's international appeal.

All but one of last season's host cities will welcome back the tour, reflecting the strong interest from cities eager to host this competition.

"14 of the 15 locations in this year's World Tour mirror those from the last three years, emphasizing the remarkable enthusiasm we are witnessing from cities to host this vibrant celebration of sport, music, and culture," stated Alex Sanchez, FIBA's 3x3 Managing Director, on Thursday.

"This continuity allows organizers to plan for the long term, ensuring they deliver the most captivating and engaging events not just for athletes and fans, but also for commercial and broadcasting partners."

FIBA reported impressive digital growth in 2024, boasting over 57 million followers across various platforms and five billion social media views. Sanchez credited this achievement to enhanced fan engagement both at venues and online, as reported by Xinhua.

"Thanks to the hundreds of thousands of 3x3 fans creating electrifying festival atmospheres, 2024 set new records for social and digital engagement," he remarked. "With upgraded fan zones at venues and interactive digital content online, fans can look forward to a more immersive experience than ever before."

The sport also gained recognition during the Paris 2024 Olympics, where 3x3 competitions were among the most popular events.

"The thrill and energy of 4,000 fans at the sold-out Place de la Concorde venue, with thousands more outside hoping for a glimpse of the action, made it truly special," Sanchez noted.

On April 10, the International Olympic Committee announced an increase in 3x3 basketball participation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, raising the team quotas from eight to twelve for both men and women.

"We believe that the increase to 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams, combined with the iconic basketball hub of Los Angeles, will foster a unique urban festival atmosphere that will amplify the sport's global popularity in 2028," Sanchez expressed.

Asia remains a pivotal area for the World Tour, with nine of this year's events planned in the region. The season will culminate in Manama, Bahrain, with five events set to take place in China.

"Asia has undeniably established itself as a significant center for the growth of 3x3 basketball. The enthusiasm and energy from fans and players, along with the warm welcome from host cities throughout the region, have been remarkable," Sanchez stated.

"These elements are part of why we will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the World Tour in Chengdu this year. Additionally, China's hosting of five major events, including Challengers, World Tours, and the U23 World Cup, clearly highlights the robust momentum 3x3 basketball is gaining across Asia."

Sanchez also pointed out ongoing investments and emerging talents in the region.

"Looking forward, we see a very bright future for 3x3 in Asia. We anticipate ongoing expansion, fueled by new investments and the incredible pipeline of future stars in development. China's recent performance in the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2025 final in Singapore was a perfect example of this," he remarked.

"Meanwhile, our focus remains on promoting the sport globally by nurturing it at both grassroots and elite levels. Given its simplicity to follow, understand, and enjoy, alongside our significant growth thus far, we believe an exciting future awaits for 3x3 basketball," Sanchez concluded.