How Ulaanbaatar became one of 3x3 basketball's true homes

MIES (Switzerland) - There are plenty of cities on the FIBA 3x3 Pro Circuit and Cups calendar. Every season, the world's best 3x3 basketball players travel from one iconic destination to another, bringing the sport's signature intensity to bustling squares and city centers across the globe. However, only a select few become more than just tournament hosts. They become places that players look forward to revisiting, where the atmosphere can change the course of a game and every basket is celebrated as if it were a championship winner.

Ulaanbaatar has become one of those cities. As Mongolia's capital looks forward to hosting the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2027, it has established itself not only as one of Asia's 3x3 basketball powers, but also as one of the discipline's most vibrant destinations.

That reputation has been earned over years of hosting some of the biggest events on the FIBA 3x3 calendar. FIBA 3x3 World Tour stops, Women's Series events and Challengers have all found a home in Ulaanbaatar, where thousands of passionate fans transform every tournament into a festival of basketball. The atmosphere has become one of the city's defining traits, with local supporters creating an environment that players, whether homegrown stars or international veterans, consistently praise.

For Mongolian "Warrior Princess" Khulan Onolbaatar, playing at home means far more than enjoying home-court advantage. It means representing a city and a country that has embraced 3x3 basketball like few others.

"It feels so special to get this in front of our home crowd," Khulan said after leading Ulaanbaatar Amazons to the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Ulaanbaatar 2026 title. "Whenever we play in this crowd in front of our hometown, I feel like we always do something magical. We always feel like we are supergirls, and it's thanks to you guys, too. Always keep supporting us. Our goal is to get better every single year. We want to be one of the best teams in the world."

Those moments, she says, are fueled by the connection between the team and their supporters.

"We feel all the love from the supporters. We don't want to disappoint them or make them feel bad. I want to show out in front of our fans, our friends, our loved ones. Our coach Steve was saying that this was a special week. Let's enjoy. Let's be together. We did that as a team."

What makes Ulaanbaatar unique, however, is that the feeling isn't limited to local players.

Olympic champion and 3x3 basketball living legend Nauris Miezis has competed on many of the sport's biggest stages, yet he believes the crowds in Mongolia stand apart.

"I think it's about the crowd," Miezis said. "We play here on their homecourt. These fans are crazy, they give us motivation to keep moving, keep running. They keep us playing with a lot of movement and defense. For the fans, thank you very much."

That shared perspective -- from a hometown hero and one of the sport's most accomplished international stars -- illustrates why Ulaanbaatar has become such a special stop for 3x3 basketball. The city's basketball culture has grown alongside its investment in hosting elite competitions, creating a cycle where memorable events inspire more fans, stronger local teams and even bigger occasions each year.

The results have followed. Mongolian teams have become increasingly competitive on both the men's and women's circuits, culminating in the women's team earning second place at the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2025, which was also held in Ulaanbaatar.

As such, the city has built a reputation for staging world-class events that capture the raw energy and true urban spirit of 3x3 basketball. The city's blend of passionate supporters, elite competition and iconic setting has made it one of the defining venues on the global calendar.

That journey now reaches another milestone with the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2027.

Rather than introducing the sport to Mongolia, the tournament will showcase a city that has already embraced it wholeheartedly. Asia's best players will arrive in a destination where 3x3 basketball is more than a weekend event. It's part of the community's identity. And if recent years are any indication, they'll discover what so many players already know: in Ulaanbaatar, the fans don't just watch the game. They help write the story.

FIBA