The B.League is set to make history in 2026 as it brings its first-ever overseas regular season games to the Philippines, with the SM Mall of Asia Arena serving as the stage for the event on September 9 and 10.
Dubbed the B.LEAGUE MANILA GAMES 2026, the two-game showcase will feature a showdown between Gilas Pilipinas Men standouts Dwight Ramos and the Levanga Hokkaido against AJ Edu and the Gunma Crane Thunders.
The event comes at a significant time for the Japanese league, as the 2026-27 campaign will mark the inaugural season of the newly rebranded B.Premier, formerly known as B.League Division 1.
Beyond basketball, the Manila games also coincide with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic normalization between Japan and the Philippines, adding deeper meaning to the league’s historic overseas venture.
According to the league, the decision to stage games in the Philippines was made in recognition of the strong relationship built between the two countries through basketball, especially with the growing number of Filipino players competing in Japan under the Asia Special Quota program.
Carrying the theme “Two Nations, One Beat”, the B.LEAGUE MANILA GAMES 2026 aims to celebrate the shared passion for basketball between Filipinos and Japanese fans while strengthening the bond between the neighboring nations through sport.
“We are truly delighted to host B.LEAGUE’s first-ever overseas games in the Philippines, a country filled with passion for basketball. The Philippines has produced more Asia Special Quota players for B.LEAGUE than any other country/region, creating a special bond between us,” said B.League chairman Shinji Shimada.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone in the Philippine basketball community for their tremendous support in making this project possible, as well as to all the players who have served as bridges between our two nations.”
Shimada also highlighted the significance of holding the games at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“The games will be held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, a very special venue that hosted the Final of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, hosted by Japan and the Philippines. It is a great honor for us to stage B.LEAGUE games at such an iconic arena,” he added.
“We hope many fans will come to the venue and experience the excitement and appeal of B.LEAGUE firsthand.”
