Puerto Rico to host NBA game & FIBA women’s qualifying tourney
- The San Juan Daily Star
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
By THE STAR STAFF
Gov. Jenniffer González Colón, along with Puerto Rico Tourism Company Executive Director Willianette Robles Cancel, announced on Monday two significant sporting events that the officials said solidify the island as a sports tourism destination and project an economic impact of $11.8 million.
“These two important basketball events that we are bringing to the enjoyment of our fans and which have an impact of over $11 million are the result of several months of negotiation and work to attract world-class events to Puerto Rico,” González Colón said at a press conference. “These are not the only ones, as we will be making other announcements later. We are investing in sports tourism, which generates significant economic impact, showcases our welcoming culture, and places our island on the map of major international venues. We also seek to combine the attendance of these world-renowned events with interactions with our youth in Puerto Rico, so that they can serve as a tool for development and learning.”
The first event will be an NBA preseason game between the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat, on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Puerto Rico Coliseum in Hato Rey. The game, which is sold out, will bring together some 16,000 fans, and will generate $8.3 million in economic impact, in addition to media exposure valued at $18 million. Among the players expected to be on the court are Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner for the Magic, as well as Andrew Wiggins and Bam Adebayo for the Heat.
The second event will be the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament, which will be held March 11-17, 2026, at the coliseum. The international tournament will feature six national teams, will contribute some $3.5 million to the local economy, and will generate more than 2,000 hotel room nights. “Both the FIBA women’s qualifying tournament and the NBA preseason game are examples of how Puerto Rico is establishing itself as a host for world-class events,” Robles Cancel said. “In addition to boosting our economy, they foster community involvement, celebrate the talent of our athletes, and promote gender equality in sports. These events serve as a global showcase for Puerto Rico, reaching diverse audiences, which in turn represents a great opportunity to attract more visitors to the island.
Puerto Rico Basketball Federation President Yum Ramos stressed that the siting of the FIBA tournament on the island “recognizes the organizational capacity of our federation and the country, as well as the passion and support of our fans.”
“We are a great showcase for both our men’s and women’s basketball and an inspiration for the next generation of players,” he said. “Puerto Rico has already proven to be a top-tier venue for international competitions. In 2024, we hosted the Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, where the [Puerto Rican] national team achieved a historic qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after a 20-year absence. Now […] we are convinced that this event will mark another historic chapter for Puerto Rican basketball, especially for our female players and for women’s sports in general.”
The impact of the NBA game will also include sports clinics on Friday, Oct. 3 at the Llorens Torres housing complex for more than 300 young people, in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, the Department of Housing and the Department of Recreation and Sports. The Heat-Magic game marks the NBA’s return to Puerto Rico after 20 years, thanks to the efforts of VRDG Entertainment and the support of former NBA player Carlos Arroyo.
“We are very excited to return to Puerto Rico on October 4th […]” said John Vidalin, chief commercial officer of the Miami Heat. “The fans in Puerto Rico are passionate, and the event sold out quickly.”