2026 Fo Guang Cup International University Basketball Tournament Kicks Off in Kaohsiung with 16 Top Teams Competing at Kaohsiung Arena

The 2026 Fo Guang Cup International University Basketball Invitational Tournament officially kicked off on July 28 at Kaohsiung Arena, bringing together 16 top-tier university basketball teams from Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, the Philippines, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Macau for six days of thrilling competition. Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai attended the opening ceremony and threw the ceremonial first ball for the women's match between Fo Guang University and Japan's Tohoku Gakuin University, welcoming young athletes from around the world to exchange skills and deepen cross-cultural friendships through basketball.

Marking its 13th edition, this year's Fo Guang Cup features eight teams each in the men's and women's divisions, competing from July 28 to August 2 in preliminary rounds, semifinals, and the championship game. Notably, Japan's Tsukuba University returns to the tournament, while Tohoku Gakuin University (Japan), University of Sydney (Australia), York University (Canada), Lincoln University (New Zealand), and Visitation College (USA) are participating for the first time, adding significant international flavor and raising the competitive stakes.

During the opening ceremony, Mayor Chen emphasized that 'victory is temporary, but friendship is lasting,' urging all athletes to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship, give their best, enjoy the games, learn from one another, and build lasting international friendships. He then joined team players and dignitaries for a group photo and officially launched the tournament with the first ball.

The Kaohsiung City Government highlighted that the Fo Guang Cup has consistently attracted outstanding university teams from around the world, providing Taiwanese athletes with valuable opportunities to compete internationally and improve their skills. Simultaneously, it fosters youth friendships across borders, embodying the spirit of sports transcending national boundaries. In recent years, Kaohsiung has actively hosted numerous international sporting events, leveraging large-scale sports activities to enhance city-to-city exchanges and elevate Kaohsiung's global visibility, advancing its goal of becoming a world-class sports city.

The tournament will run through August 2, with group preliminaries held over the first four days, semifinals on August 1, and the championship finals on August 2. Admission is free with ticket reservation, and live broadcasts will be available via人间Vision, ELTA Sports, and Jilin Sports channels, as well as live streaming on YouTube, inviting fans to experience the electrifying atmosphere of international university basketball in person.