Ancona and Osimo Prepare to Host the 2026 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA FIP U13 Championship Final Event

The basketball world is turning its attention to the Marche region as Ancona and Osimo prepare to host the Final Event of the 2026 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA FIP U13 Championship. From May 28 to May 30, 2026, the best Under 13 teams from across Italy will compete for the prestigious Jr. NBA title, wearing the official jerseys of NBA franchises.

Organized in collaboration with the Comitato Regionale FIP Marche, the tournament represents the pinnacle of a season that saw record-breaking participation. With 1,504 teams and over 19,000 young athletes involved throughout the year, the competition has solidified its place as a cornerstone of youth basketball development in Italy.

Tournament Structure and Format

The Final Event features 16 teams in total—eight in the boys’ bracket and eight in the girls’ bracket. The format is designed to ensure maximum playing time and competitive intensity, with each team scheduled to play four matches over the course of the three-day event. The tournament utilizes a round-robin stage followed by final classification games to determine the ultimate standings from eighth to first place.

Key Details of the Final Event:

• Dates: May 28–30, 2026
• Locations: Ancona (PalaPrometeo, Palascherma) and Osimo (Palabaldinelli, Palazzetto dello Sport, and Palestra Comunale Osimo Stazione)
• Broadcasting: Matches held at the PalaPrometeo in Ancona will be streamed live on the Italbasket Twitch channel.

Special Events and Programming

Beyond the high-stakes games on the court, the championship serves as a celebration of basketball culture. A highlight of the weekend will be the Welcome Ceremony on May 29 at 2:30 p.m. At the PalaPrometeo, featuring a special appearance by Lorela Cubaj, a professional player for Reyer Venezia and the Italian National Team.

Attendees and fans are also invited to explore a dedicated NBA memorabilia exhibition curated by Alberto Cecere, located in the T. Censi Hall at the PalaPrometeo. The event will feature:

• Minibasket Courts: Outdoor areas near the main arena will host exhibitions for younger players in the region.
• Coaching Clinic: The Comitato Nazionale Allenatori delle Marche has organized a professional development clinic for coaches, scheduled for Saturday at the PalaPrometeo.

Looking Ahead

As the countdown to the opening tip-off continues, the excitement surrounding the 2026 Final Event highlights the continued growth of the partnership between the Italian Basketball Federation (FIP) and the NBA. By providing young athletes with the opportunity to compete in a professionalized environment, the program continues to foster talent and passion for the game at the grassroots level.

For those attending, the distribution of games across multiple venues in Ancona and Osimo ensures that the local community remains at the heart of the action as these young athletes vie for the chance to be crowned champions.