Manila is about to become the center of the streetball universe. Red Bull Half Court is bringing its 2026 World Finals to the Philippines on December 5, marking the first time the tournament’s biggest stage has landed on Filipino soil.

National champions from across the globe will descend on the capital to chase the title in basketball’s fastest 3-on-3 format. The event doubles as a celebration of basketball, art, and street culture built around Manila’s own hoops-obsessed identity.

Paul Gudde, Red Bull Half Court Global Sports Director, said the city was a natural fit for the tournament. “Manila is built for this format. It’s a city where basketball isn’t just watched, it’s lived,” Gudde said.

World-Famous Streetball Stars Headline the Manila World Finals

Streetball icon Grayson “The Professor” Boucher will join the event, alongside renowned shooting coach Chris “Lethal Shooter” Matthews. Both have built global followings through viral trick shots and streetball showmanship.

Polish Red Bull athlete and world-class dunker Piotr “Grabo” Grabowski will also compete. He is set to share the spotlight with Filipino dunking star David “Air David” Carlos, a FIBA 3×3 World Tour Dunk Contest winner.

Boucher said he has long wanted to bring his game to Filipino fans. “I can’t wait to come over for the Red Bull Half Court World Finals to do some park takeovers and see the best 3v3 streetball teams from around the globe,” Boucher said.

Matthews, who serves as a global ambassador for the event, said he has visited Manila multiple times and always leaves impressed. “There’s a huge appreciation for the art of shooting in Manila,” Matthews said.

He added that the field of national champions will raise the level of play. “I know we’re going to see some great athletes competing at the highest level,” Matthews said.

Two Iconic Manila Venues Will Host the Streetball Showdown

The World Finals will unfold across two contrasting corners of the city. The group phase will take place at Fort Santiago in Intramuros, one of Manila’s most recognizable historical landmarks.

Teams will battle inside the city’s iconic walled district for a place in the following day’s finals. From there, the tournament shifts to Bonifacio Global City for the championship round.

BGC, one of Manila’s most dynamic urban districts, will host the remaining teams as they compete to be crowned Red Bull Half Court champions. The sixth season of the tournament has already crowned champions across nine countries, including Egypt, India, and Nigeria.

National champions from 13 countries are set to compete in Manila. India’s Team 911 secured its spot in Chandigarh, while Team Sinatra will represent North Macedonia after winning in Skopje.

On home soil, JSKILLS claimed the Philippines men’s title, while Pilipinas Aguilas earned the women’s crown. Egypt will send Team Hustlers and Bad Luck, with more national champions expected to join as qualifiers continue.

Games in the tournament are capped at 10 minutes, with the first team to reach 21 points taking the win. A bonus spot goes to the team accumulating the most points during pool play, adding an extra layer of strategy to every possession.

Two special three-point scoring circles behind the arc add further risk-reward stakes to each game. Since its 2021 launch, Red Bull Half Court has staged World Finals in Rome, Cairo, Belgrade, New York City, and Dubai before arriving in Manila.