Record crowd fuels Turkey's push for historic final
The semi‑final between Turkey and Serbia at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2026 drew an unprecedented 8,348 fans, establishing a new attendance high for the tournament and signaling a surge of interest in youth basketball across the region.
The previous record of 8,122 spectators, set during the 2022 Spain‑USA final in Malaga, stood for two years before being eclipsed on this occasion, underscoring the growing significance of the event.
Beyond the numbers, the atmosphere was charged with the presence of senior Turkish national team members such as Alperen Sengun and Cedi Osman, whose attendance was seen as both support for the youngsters and a rallying point for the squad.
The quarter‑final against France also attracted 3,925 spectators, further illustrating the consistent demand for high‑stakes games throughout the competition.
Turkey is now aiming to reach the championship match for the first time since 2016, a milestone that would cement the program’s progress on the international stage.
Adding to the narrative, the senior Turkish national team is scheduled to play at home on Monday in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers, a fixture that could further galvanize public enthusiasm for basketball in the country.