FIBA welcomes World Cup delivering drama, fan engagement, player experience

September 11, 2023

The 2023 Basketball World Cup has lived up to expectations and delivered in terms of drama, fan engagement and players experience, according to FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis.

Speaking after Germany secured the trophy, Zagklis advised “what a tournament we have had in Jakarta, Okinawa, and Manila.

"It was a tournament spread out for the first time over three countries; a tournament that also had to be prepared during Covid; a tournament that saw two great venues being constructed - in Jakarta and Okinawa, the renovation of Araneta Coliseum, the beautiful Mall of Asia Arena and the Philippines Arena that set the World Cup record of 38,115 spectators."

While welcoming total attendances for the tournament that expected are expected to break the 700,000 mark.

However, Zaglis did express disappointment at attendances at some venues, conceding that mistakes in ticket pricing may contributed to lower than anticipated attendances.

While attendances at games on the Japanese island of Okinawa in Japan averaged 85% occupancy, those in Jakarta were little more than 60% filled.

While the tournament’s opening game between The Philippines and the Dominican Republic last month set the World Cup record of 38,115 spectators, Zagklis pointed to figures that showed strong sales in the most expensive and cheapest ticket categories, but less success in mid-range tickets.

Ticket prices during the group phase at the Mall of Asia Arena in Indonesia went as high as US$481 for Team USA’s clash with Greece.

The cheapest tickets for some games could be acquired for as little as $8.

Zagklis noted “the pricing of the tickets was determined by the locals but reviewed by FIBA, so we have our share in this. We were part of this process.

“I was several times in the venue where the fourth and fifth tiers were full, the first tier was full, and the second and third were not. So that’s where you immediately see the impact of pricing. And this happened several times, so perhaps we can say that the second and the third tiers were higher priced than would have been the market-acceptable price.”

Zagklis added that attendances were sometimes impacted by fixture clashes and external factors such as storms that caused traffic jams also came into play.

Zagklis also disclosed some broadcast market share figures including that the Japan versus Cape Verde game was the most-watched program - not sports program but any program - in the country this year.

There was more than 40% market share for Slovenia versus Canada, almost 35% market for South Sudan against Puerto Rico, and more than 25% market share for Lithuania versus Serbia.

Engagement on FIBA's social media accounts was also strong with more than 10 billion impressions - double the amount from China 2019 and engagement doubled at 260 million.

The 2023 World Cup three times tripled the video views.

In addition, the 2023 World Cup was also seen as a major step forward in the experience for the players. What started at China 2019, there was a dedicated program for the players from the 32 teams.

All the players stayed in single rooms at the hotels.

There were dedicated player lounges with a former player in charge as the liaison between the players, the teams, and the organizing committees. Former players also served as advisers on how to build those players spaces, which included amenities ranging from their own dedicated bar to a barber shop in every players hotel.

Players Commission Chairman Dirk Nowitzki also visited the players hotels in Okinawa and Manila and provided feedback to FIBA about any adjustments to make during the tournament.

Looking ahead to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, FIBA Secretary General said fans should be excited that Qatar is hosting the event.

He concluded "Qatar is very committed, and I think it will be a dream for the fans. You know where to go. You can book your tickets and hotels. Yes, it's going to be hot, but it's going to be a tremendous basketball experience for those who love basketball. You will be able to see all the best players in the world in one city across four venues.”

Images: 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup winners Germany (top, credit: FIBA) and on court action (below, credit: Unilumin).

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