A New Era for Basketball in the Gulf
Ticketmaster has been named the official ticketing partner for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, a tournament that will unfold over 17 days in Doha, Qatar, starting on August 27. The event will showcase 32 national teams battling across 92 games, making it the largest single‑city edition of the competition and the first World Cup ever staged in the Middle East and North Africa.
The collaboration will leverage Ticketmaster’s SafeTix technology and TM Entry solutions to create a fully digital, secure, and scalable ticketing ecosystem. Fans will purchase and store tickets through the tournament’s official mobile app, while venue access will be managed via timed entry across the four competition venues, ensuring a smooth flow from purchase to gate.
Frank Leenders, Director General of FIBA Media and Marketing Services, highlighted Ticketmaster’s proven track record with major sporting events, stating that the company’s global reach and cutting‑edge technology are essential to delivering a world‑class experience for players, teams, and fans alike.
Dr. Ahmad Abdulla Al‑Buenain, a key figure in Qatar’s Local Organizing Committee, emphasized that the partnership aligns with the nation’s ambition to host a successful and high‑quality international sporting event, reinforcing the country’s growing reputation as a hub for global competitions.
Dimitrios Petropoulos, representing the Local Organizing Committee, added that the integration of Ticketmaster’s platforms will streamline the fan journey, reducing wait times and enhancing overall satisfaction throughout the tournament.
Beyond the technical benefits, the deal also brings Live Nation Entertainment into the fold, expanding promotional outreach and leveraging its extensive marketing network to drive awareness and ticket sales worldwide.
The partnership underscores a broader trend of digital transformation in sports, where seamless, secure, and user‑friendly ticketing solutions are becoming a baseline expectation for major events. As the 2027 World Cup approaches, organizers are confident that this collaboration will set a new standard for fan engagement in basketball.