FIBA World Cup: opener sets world record attendance

• The 2023 FIBA World Cup is going on in the Philippines, with 32 countries competing
• The opening match saw a world-record crowd at the Philippine Arena
• A total of 38,115 people filled the Arena to watch the hosts Philippines, take on the Dominican Republic

A historic moment unfolded in the world of basketball as a record-breaking crowd of 38,115 filled the Philippine Arena for a game during the 2023 FIBA World Cup. This remarkable gathering of spectators marked the largest attendance ever recorded in the history of the World Cup, a feat that the Philippines had long aspired to achieve, given the country’s profound passion for basketball.

The electrifying atmosphere in the arena was palpable, with the presence of notable figures, including Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Basketball Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki, who serves as one of FIBA’s ambassadors for the World Cup. President Marcos took his courtside seat just as the Philippine national team scored the first basket of the game. He further cemented the significance of the occasion by joining the squad for a photo at midcourt during halftime.

The 2023 FIBA World Cup opener between the hosts Philippines and Dominican Republic saw a world-record crowd attendance. | PHOTO: ESPN |

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However, the euphoria of the record-breaking attendance was tempered by the Dominican Republic’s victory over the home team. Karl-Anthony Towns played a pivotal role in his team’s 87-81 win in a Group A matchup. Despite the loss, Jordan Clarkson’s impressive performance, scoring 28 points, was a source of pride for the Philippines, even though he fouled out in the final moments.

“This is something I’m never going to forget, right here,” remarked Philippines forward A.J. Edu. “I mean, this was such a blessing to experience. I couldn’t hear anything every time we scored.”

The previous attendance record, set on August 14, 1994, stood at 32,616 spectators. It was established during the FIBA world championship, held at SkyDome in Toronto and witnessed the U.S. defeating Russia 137-91 in the gold-medal game.

The magnitude of this historic event was evident as fans began to arrive several hours before the game. Prior to the Philippines-Dominican Republic matchup, there was an earlier game at the arena where Italy faced Angola, drawing 21,214 fans. As that game concluded, the seats continued to fill up, setting the stage for an unforgettable spectacle. The buildup to the game featured a pregame concert and an on-court dance performance, adding to the festive atmosphere. When the Philippine national team took the floor for warm-up, the arena reverberated with the roars of its occupants.

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Originally, the Philippine Arena was designated to host the final phase of the World Cup, including the medal games. However, earlier in the year, FIBA modified this plan due to concerns related to traffic and transportation. The arena, which can accommodate up to 55,000 fans for certain events, is located at least an hour by car from most of the other venues being used in Manila during the tournament.

While this record-breaking attendance is a remarkable achievement, it is unlikely to be surpassed during this World Cup. The game held at the Philippine Arena was a unique occurrence, as all other venues being used in Manila, Japan, and Indonesia for World Cup games are considerably smaller in capacity.

In summary, the Philippines achieved a historic milestone by hosting a record-breaking crowd of 38,115 spectators for a game during the FIBA World Cup. This remarkable event underscored the country’s deep-rooted passion for basketball. While the home team did not secure a victory, the electrifying atmosphere and record-breaking attendance marked a significant moment in the history of the sport. The Philippines’ dedication to basketball and its ability to draw such an enormous crowd demonstrated the global appeal and excitement that the sport continues to generate.