Doha to Host Naismith Trophy and 3×3 All Star Game in 2026

Doha, Qatar, is set to make history by showcasing the prestigious Naismith Trophy for the first time in a public space as part of the Match for Hope Fan Festival. This event will take place from January 24 to 31, 2026, at Place Vendôme Mall in Lusail, coinciding with the buildup to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027.

Exciting Fan Engagement Activities Planned

The iconic trophy, representing the pinnacle of basketball achievement, will be the centerpiece of the festival. Fans will have the unique opportunity to view the trophy up close, take photographs, and engage in various basketball-themed activities. The festival aims to create an immersive experience for basketball enthusiasts.

Organized by the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 Local Organising Committee in collaboration with the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF), the event will include a range of interactive experiences. Participants can test their skills on an official FIBA World Cup 3×3 basketball court, guided by the technical staff of the Qatar National Team. Skill challenges and shooting contests will also be conducted, with exciting prizes, including tickets to upcoming matches in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers Window 2.

Highlighting Basketball and Education Initiatives

The festival will kick off on January 24, 2026, featuring performances by school teams participating in the Mini World Cup. Additionally, members of Qatar’s National Women’s Basketball Team will be present to interact with fans, further enhancing the community atmosphere of the event.

A significant highlight of the festival will be the 3×3 All Star Game scheduled for January 28, 2026. This exciting match will feature national team players from Qatar and Lebanon, alongside prominent international content creators traveling to Doha for the occasion.

The Match for Hope is not solely about basketball; it is an annual charity football event held in Doha, uniting sports legends and popular content creators to support access to quality education for disadvantaged youth in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Since its inception in 2024, the initiative has raised over $19.5 million, positively impacting thousands of children. The upcoming Match for Hope football match will be held on January 30, 2026, at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.

Saadoun Sabah Al-Kuwari, Executive Director of the Sport Directorate at the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 Local Organising Committee, emphasized the importance of education in the mission of the Qatar Basketball Federation. “We firmly believe that basketball can be used to raise awareness of the right to education. The Qatar National Team, one of the strongest teams in Asia, is excited to be part of the basketball activation at the Match for Hope Fan Festival,” Al-Kuwari stated. He encouraged the basketball community across Qatar to visit the festival and participate in the activities.

This festival presents a unique opportunity for fans to celebrate basketball while contributing to a meaningful cause, reinforcing the role of sports in promoting social change.