FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022

The Office for Sport coordinates the Australian Government’s involvement in the bidding for, and hosting of major sporting events. Learn about the highlights, impact and legacy of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022.

About the event

Australia hosted the Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) Women’s Basketball World Cup (FWBWC) 2022 in Sydney.

It was the highest-attended women’s basketball world cup in the competition’s history.

Held every 4 years, the 2022 event saw almost 150,000 basketball fans witness the world's top 12 women's national teams play 38 games across 10 days of competition. It was just the second time the tournament has come to Australia.

Australia’s national women’s basketball team, the Opals, went into the tournament ranked number 3 in the FIBA World rankings. Having placed fourth at the only other FWBWC held in Australia in 1994, the Opals delivered their best result on home soil, finishing third. 

The United States, the number-one-ranked side and 3-time defending champion, retained the title after defeating China in the championship decider.

Visit the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 website to find out more.

Did you know?

  • 3rd was the Opals’ best-ever FWBWC tournament placing on home soil.
  • 145,519 was the total attendance for the 2022 tournament – the highest in the history of the FWBWC.
  • 996,000 Australians over the age of 15 are estimated to participate in basketball annually.

Key event moments

Lauren Jackson, one of Australia’s most decorated basketballers, returned to the green and gold for her fifth world cup after a 12-year absence from the FWBWC.

Her highlight of the tournament came in the Opals’ final game, when the 4-time Women's National Basketball League Most Valuable Player scored 30 points and led the Opals to victory, taking home a bronze medal.

Jackson’s performance inspired the Opals to their best finish on home soil. She finished her world cup career becoming only the third player in FWBWC history to score 600 points. The Opals’ tournament highlights included:

  • finishing top in the group phase
  • featuring in a hard-fought semi-final going down 61–59 to China 
  • clinching the bronze medal in the third-place playoff match against Canada 95–65.

Event impact

The FWBWC put a spotlight on women’s basketball. It also created broader conversations around women in sport, gender equality and the benefits of participation in sport. The tournament:

  • delivered the highest attendance in the history of the competition
  • promoted healthy and active lifestyles amongst all Australians
  • inspired women and girls to participate in basketball
  • delivered a carbon-neutral event and the most sustainable FWBWC since its inception
  • provided a Sustainable Event Blueprint for future major and mega events.

Legacy

The FWBWC 2022 has many legacy initiatives which aim to have a lasting impact benefiting women’s basketball and the Australian community. This includes programs to:

  • continue to promote gender equality and healthy and active lifestyles 
  • continue to promote women’s participation and leadership in basketball targeting diversity, inclusion and multicultural and indigenous communities
  • help women feel connected and supported through women’s basketball pathway and talent programs such as She Hoops.
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