Newly opened SM Seaside Arena will take center stage next year after it was officially unveiled as the host venue of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2027 during the tournament’s brand and logo launch on Wednesday.
For the first time, the Philippines will host Asia’s premier women’s basketball championship, with eight of the continent’s best national teams set to compete from July 10 to 28, 2027 inside the state-of-the-art arena in Cebu.
The brand reveal ceremony formally introduced the tournament’s identity while highlighting SM Seaside Arena as the newest major basketball destination in the country. The event was attended by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Ricky Vargas, SBP executive director Erika Dy, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival Sr., and other basketball and local government officials.
The tournament logo draws inspiration from the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup trophy, while incorporating Cebu’s official colors, city seal, and traditional Filipino weaving patterns to reflect the host city’s identity.
“The FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2027 provides a platform for the fans in the Philippines to witness the best of women’s basketball right in their own country and for the global fans to experience the passion for the sport in the Philippines,” said FIBA Asia president Dr. K. Govindaraj.
FIBA Executive Director-Asia Hagop Khajirian said the continental championship continues to grow in stature worldwide.
“The FIBA Women’s Asia Cup now ranks very high in the list of FIBA competitions across genders globally,” he said. “The FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2027 is another step towards consolidating the gains made in the last few years both in terms of excellence in competition and enhancement of women’s basketball.
“The brand we unveiled is an attempt to encapsulate the entire experience that the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup promises to deliver, especially to the fans of women’s basketball in the Philippines and globally.”
Vargas said staging the tournament at SM Seaside Arena underscores FIBA’s confidence in the country’s ability to organize world-class events.
“We are truly honoured and grateful to host the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in 2027. Bringing one of Asia’s premier basketball events to the Philippines reflects the confidence that FIBA has in our ability to organize world-class competitions and in the passion of Filipino basketball fans,” he said.
For Dy, hosting the tournament on home soil presents another milestone for the Gilas Pilipinas Women program.
(C) SBP
“Hosting the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in 2027 gives our Gilas Pilipinas Women program a tremendous opportunity to showcase how far we’ve come,” she said.
“Our focus has always been on developing a team that can compete consistently at the highest level in Asia, and having the tournament on home soil provides a platform for our players to inspire the next generation of Filipina basketball players.”
FIBA Asia Board member and former SBP president Al Panlilio added that taking the tournament outside Metro Manila allows international visitors to experience Cebu alongside one of the country’s newest sporting landmarks.
“The Philippines has hosted many FIBA competitions in Manila, but now Filipinos get to introduce the rich culture of Cebu to players, team officials, FIBA delegates, and fans,” he said.
“The logo features elements that Cebuanos take a lot of pride in. From the beautiful beaches to the local fauna, and the friendly people, there is a lot to celebrate from the region, and we cannot wait to experience all these along with the grand stage being prepared for our athletes.”
