Get ready for the most anticipated basketball event of the year, set to unfold within the grandeur of The Big Dome!
The Smart Araneta Coliseum is preparing to welcome basketball enthusiasts to a thrilling spectacle as it takes center stage for the preliminary round of the World Cup matches for Groups A and B, commencing on August 26. The excitement is palpable as the Filipino team, Gilas Pilipinas, steps onto the court to challenge Angola, Dominican Republic, and Italy in Group A. Meanwhile, Group B will witness intense battles between China, Puerto Rico, South Sudan, and Serbia.
The historic arena, renowned for its iconic status, has undergone a series of upgrades and enhancements in preparation for this prestigious event. Spectators can anticipate an unparalleled experience, with refurbished seating arrangements and additional snack booths to cater to their comfort. The eagerly awaited event is expected to draw a capacity crowd, with the new coliseum entrance on the upper ground floor of the New Gateway Mall 2 specially opened to accommodate the enthusiastic attendees.
In anticipation of FIBA players’ requirements, dugout rooms have been meticulously renovated to ensure utmost convenience and relaxation.
The playing court has been meticulously prepared, with the basketball flooring, backboards, rims, and shot clocks all replaced to meet the high standards of the global basketball event. Adding to the excitement, the coliseum now boasts an expansive new LED scoreboard cube that promises an immersive and larger-than-life view of the on-court action and real-time updates.
A dedicated media working area, strategically located near the coliseum’s Red Gate, is designed to accommodate both local and international journalists who will be covering every angle of this highly anticipated sporting extravaganza.
The Araneta Group’s management is working in tandem with the Quezon City LGU and the FIBA Local Organizing Committee to ensure the seamless execution of the FIBA basketball games in 2023.
Reflecting on this monumental occasion, Irene Jose, the Chief Operating Officer of Uniprom Inc. (the entertainment arm of the Araneta Group), expressed, “Hosting the FIBA Basketball World Cup is a momentous highlight for us and for the country this 2023. We are making all the necessary adjustments and improvements to make this once-in-a-lifetime event memorable for all players and audiences at the City of Firsts.”
This isn’t the first time that The Big Dome has embraced the honor of hosting the FIBA World Cup. Previously, it played host to the semifinal games and championship showdown in 1978, a historic moment in the sports and entertainment landscape of the Philippines, where Yugoslavia triumphed over the reigning champion, the Soviet Union.
Mark your calendars as the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 preliminary round games for Groups A and B grace the Smart Araneta Coliseum from August 26 to September 3. Secure your tickets now on ticketnet.com.ph and be a part of this unforgettable basketball extravaganza.
