The FIBA Intercontinental Cup, previously known to as the FIBA World Cup for Champion Clubs and the FIBA Club World Cup, is an annual professional basketball club competition organized by FIBA. The competition features the champions of each region's continental champion, as well as one representative from the NBA G League.

Historically, its purpose has been to gather the premier basketball clubs from each of the world's geographical zones, and to officially decide the best basketball club of the world, which is officially crowned as the world club champion. The World Cup for Clubs has been contended mainly by the champions of the continents and/or world geographical regions that are of the highest basketball levels.

Instead of the National Basketball Association (NBA) champions, which is widely considered the most prestigious basketball league in the world, the North American spot is usually allocated to the champions of the NBA's developmental league, the G League. In place of the EuroLeague, which has long been considered Europe's most prestigious club competition, FIBA Europe sends the champions of their main club competition, the Basketball Champions League (BCL).

The champions of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), the Basketball Champions League Asia and National Basketball League (NBL) also receive a place in the tournament.

History

The FIBA Intercontinental Cup competition was originally organized between the years 1966 and 1987. The tournament had its origins with a friendly test game in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1965. The test game was contested by the winners of the South American Championship of Champions Clubs, the Brazilian club S.C. Corinthians Paulista, and the FIBA European Champions Cup (now the EuroLeague) champions, the Spanish club Real Madrid. S.C. Corinthians Paulista won the test game, by a score of 118 to 109. After the success of the test tournament, the first official tournament took place in the year 1966.

In 1973, the competition adopted the name FIBA Intercontinental Cup William Jones, to honour the secretary general of FIBA, William Jones. FIBA tried to rebirth the competition in 1996, by reorganizing the Intercontinental Cup into a best-of-three playoff tournament between the winners of the Euroleague and the winners of the FIBA South American League (the champions of South America). After that tournament, however, the competition was not held until the 2013 edition.

Eduardo Cadillac of Obras Sanitarias the cup in 1983, after becoming the first team from South America to win the competition.

In August 2013, an agreement reached between Euroleague Basketball Company, FIBA Americas, and FIBA World, allowed for the World Cup for Champion Clubs to be relaunched, and to be played between the Euroleague champion and the FIBA Americas League champion.

1965 test tournament

Ginásio Poliesportivo Parque São Jorge, where the 1965 FIBA Intercontinental Cup Test was held.

The FIBA Intercontinental Cup unofficially began with the friendly competition of the 1965 FIBA Intercontinental Cup Test in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1965. The game was played by the defending champions of the South American Club Championship, S.C. Corinthians Paulista, and the defending champions of the FIBA European Champions Cup (EuroLeague), Real Madrid. It was held at the Ginásio Poliesportivo Parque São Jorge. Corinthians won the game 118 to 109, with Wlamir Marques of S.C. Corinthians scoring 40 points in the game. Due to the test tournament's great success (attendance for the game was 10,000), the FIBA Intercontinental Cup was made an official annual tournament by FIBA. The first official FIBA Intercontinental Cup tournament was then held the following year.

1972 special version

In 1972, FIBA held a 4 team tournament, featuring the Soviet Union national basketball team, the Polish national basketball team, the Brazilian national basketball team, and the NABL All-Stars Team, which participated in the place of Team USA. Although this tournament is not a part of the actual Club World Cup, it is still listed in the event's history as a special version of the tournament and counts as one of the editions, while the actual club competition was on hiatus between the years of 1970 and 1973.

Four team format (2016–2023)

In 2016, the tournament again changed format, with the EuroLeague champions no longer being allowed to compete in the tournament due to the EuroLeague's dispute with FIBA. In place of the EuroLeague champions, FIBA Europe began to send the champions of their club competition, originally the FIBA Europe Cup and later the FIBA Champions League, instead. For the 2019 tournament, FIBA increased the competition's number of teams to four, by adding the NBA G League's champions, and also a tournament host club. The tournament was also reconfigured into a final four format.

FIBA has also considered plans to expand the tournament at some point in the future, with plans to add the champion teams from the FIBA AfroLeague, the FIBA Asia Champions Cup, the Australian NBL, and possibly the NBA.

In the 2022 tournament, the league expanded to include the winner of the Basketball Africa League (BAL). From the 2023 tournament, the winners of the FIBA Asia Champions Cup will also be included in the tournament.

Expanded format (2023–present)

In March 2023, the tournament format received an overhaul. The event was changed from February to September so that it adapts more efficiently to the domestic and continental leagues' calendar and the schedule of international players, and to better accommodate participating clubs.

FIBA also signed a three-year deal partnership with Sport Singapore to hold the competition in the Singapore Sports Hub for three years in a row (until 2025). This makes it the first time in the Intercontinental Cup's history that the event will be held in Asia. Additionally, the tournament was expanded to six teams as an Asian representative was added. For the 2023 edition a team from the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) was chosen by FIBA to participate.

The 2024 season will feature a team from Oceania for the first time, as the winners of Australia and New Zealand's National Basketball League (NBL) earn direct qualification. The Tasmania JackJumpers are the first representative in tournament history.

Names of the competition

Part of the official logo with the current competition name.
  • FIBA Intercontinental Cup (or FIBA World Cup for Champion Clubs): (1966–1980)
  • FIBA Club World Cup: (1981)
  • FIBA Intercontinental Cup (or FIBA World Cup for Champion Clubs): (1982–1984)
  • FIBA Club World Cup: (1985–1987)
  • FIBA Intercontinental Cup (or FIBA World Cup for Champion Clubs): (2013–present)
    • Since 1973, the tournament has also been named in Honor of Renato William Jones, so the tournament's full official names would be either FIBA Intercontinental Cup "William Jones", or FIBA Club World Cup "William Jones".
    • The tournament is also referred to as the FIBA Intercontinental Cup of Clubs, in order to avoid confusion with the 1972 FIBA Intercontinental Cup of National Teams.
The FIBA Intercontinental Cup is an exhilarating basketball tournament that brings together the best teams from different continents to compete for the ultimate title of world champions. Organized by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), this prestigious event showcases the highest level of basketball talent and skill from around the globe.

The tournament features a thrilling format, with teams representing their respective continents, including Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. The participating teams are typically the winners of their respective continental championships, ensuring that only the most accomplished and dominant teams earn a spot in this prestigious competition.

The FIBA Intercontinental Cup offers a unique opportunity for basketball enthusiasts to witness intense and highly competitive matches between teams from different continents. The tournament showcases a diverse range of playing styles, strategies, and techniques, as teams bring their own distinct basketball cultures to the court.

The event is known for its electrifying atmosphere, with passionate fans from all over the world coming together to support their favorite teams. The energy and excitement in the arena are palpable, creating an unforgettable experience for both players and spectators alike.

Throughout the tournament, teams battle it out in a series of knockout matches, leading up to the highly anticipated final. The level of competition is fierce, as teams leave everything on the court in pursuit of victory and the chance to be crowned as the world's best basketball team.

The FIBA Intercontinental Cup not only showcases the highest level of basketball talent but also promotes cultural exchange and unity among nations. It serves as a platform for players and fans to celebrate the sport's global reach and the shared love for basketball.

In summary, the FIBA Intercontinental Cup is a thrilling basketball tournament that brings together the best teams from different continents to compete for the prestigious title of world champions. With its intense matches, passionate fans, and celebration of global basketball, this tournament is a must-watch for any basketball enthusiast.