Turkey welcomes FIBA World Championship 2010

24 teams will follow this invitation with pride and anticipation. Only two teams are already qualified for 2010: the host country Turkey and the 2008 Olympic Winner USA. Those two have been there and know the challenge and we look forward to 2010 where the world's best will meet again!

The FIBA World Championship is played every 4 years and determines the best basketball nation of the world. The first FIBA World Championship was played in 1950 in Argentina and has since then been organised 15 times.

The 2010 edition will be played in Turkey from 28th August until 12th September in Ankara, Kayseri, Izmir and Istanbul.

The World Championship will be organized the fourth time in Europe after 12 years since it was organized first time in 1950. Turkey will have the proud and excitement of hosting the biggest and most prestigious basketball event in 2010.

Setting the goal as becoming the reference country for the following World Championships by taking the previously hosted organizations up to another level, Turkey is working with the utmost energy to host 24 countries from 5 continents to bid farewell with joyous memories in their minds between 28th of August to 12th of September 2010 in the cities of Ankara, Kayseri, İzmir and İstanbul. Taking over the flag from two economical super powers, USA and Japan respectively, leads us to work much harder to reach our goals as the host country. In this sense, it becomes a must that the full support of Turkish public is required to make this event a prominent issue of the country as the sources and opportunities can be directed to the needs of such big and important organization.

The basketball fans travelling to our country to be a part of the World Championship will be watching the basketball stars live as well as they will blend with the basketball fans who will gather around from other countries. Our guests will taste all the gorgeousness of basketball and have the opportunity to experience the famous natural beauties and historical wonders in place at the same time.

The Local Organizing Committee is fully aware of this huge responsibility as giving its complete efforts to the preparations of this biggest and most important sport event which will ever be hosted in Turkey. The works and plans are continuing 7/24 basis to reach the target of hosting the Championship worthy of Turkey and Turkish public’s reputation for this amazing organization which will be hosted in 4 cities where 80 games will be played and followed from all around the world.