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| Photo: Red Bull Content Pool |
The Philippines is about to become the center of the global streetball scene as the Red Bull Half Court World Finals heads to Manila for the first time on December 5.
National champions from around the world will converge in the Philippine capital with one goal: to be crowned Red Bull Half Court world champions.
And there may be no more fitting destination for the tournament than Manila.
Basketball is deeply woven into everyday Filipino life, from organized leagues to neighborhood courts and endless pickup games. Now, that basketball culture will take center stage as Manila hosts the sixth season of Red Bull Half Court.
From Fort Santiago to BGC
The 2026 World Finals will showcase two very different sides of Manila.
The group phase will take place at Fort Santiago in Intramuros, one of the city's most historic and recognizable landmarks. The teams will battle through pool play for a chance to advance to the Finals.
The action then moves to Bonifacio Global City (BGC) for Finals day, where the remaining teams will fight for the Red Bull Half Court championship.
It is a unique combination of Manila's historic character and its modern urban energy.
Paul Gudde, Red Bull Half Court Global Sports Director, believes the city is 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.”
For Filipino basketball fans, that description probably needs little explanation.
Philippines Gets Home-Court Advantage
The Philippines will have its own representatives in the global competition.
JSKILLS captured the men's national title, while Pilipinas Aguilas won the women's championship, earning their spots on the international stage.
They will face national champions from around the world, with teams from 13 countries expected to compete in Manila.
Among the teams already qualified are India's men's champions Team 911, North Macedonia's Team Sinatra, and Egypt's Team Hustlers and Bad Luck.
More national champions will join the field as qualifying events continue.
Global Streetball Stars Coming to Manila
The World Finals will also bring some familiar names from the international basketball and streetball community to the Philippines.
Streetball icon Grayson “The Professor” Boucher will be in Manila, along with renowned shooting coach Chris “Lethal Shooter” Matthews.
Polish Red Bull athlete and world-class dunker Piotr “Grabo” Grabowski will also make the trip, while Filipino dunking star David “Air David” Carlos will represent the country's high-flying basketball culture.
Boucher, who has visited the Philippines several times, said he is looking forward to experiencing the country's basketball and streetball culture once again.
“I know the Manila crowd is going to be a vibe and the World Finals out there is gonna be a movie,” Boucher said.
Matthews also expects plenty of basketball talent on display.
“I have been to Manila multiple times and am always impressed by the level of passion for basketball that the athletes have,” Matthews said.
Fast, Physical and Built for Streetball
Red Bull Half Court brings a different flavor to traditional 3-on-3 basketball.
Games are limited to 10 minutes, with the first team to reach 21 points winning.
During pool play, teams can also earn the “Own the Court” bonus, giving the competition an additional strategic element as teams battle for advancement.
Adding even more risk and reward are two special three-point scoring circles located behind the regular arc.
The format is designed to keep the action moving and create the kind of fast-paced basketball that fits naturally with streetball.
Design Your Dream Court
Red Bull is also giving Filipino artists, designers and basketball fans a chance to leave their mark on the event.
Through Red Bull Half Court Design My Court, local creatives and street art enthusiasts can submit their own basketball court designs, with the winning concept brought to life.
Submissions will be accepted from September 28 to October 21.
For a country where basketball courts often serve as community gathering places, the project adds another local element to an already highly anticipated global event.
Since launching in 2021, Red Bull Half Court has staged its World Finals in iconic locations including Rome, Cairo, Belgrade, New York City and Dubai.
Now, the next chapter moves to Manila.
On December 5, the world's streetball spotlight will be on the Philippines.
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