Badalona aims for the world record with massive basketball tournament

The 2026-27 season of the ACB will kick off with an unprecedented event in the history of Spanish basketball. Three weeks before the official start of the competition, Badalona will be the stage for a collective challenge aiming to break a world record. The joint initiative of the ACB, the Badalona City Council, and Endesa seeks to organize the most populous KO Tournament ever held, turning the city into the protagonist of a sports feat of international reach.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, just hours before the start of the Endesa Super Cup in Badalona. The Fan Zone located next to the Palau d'Esports, in Plaza Josep Tarradellas, will be the chosen venue for this challenge. Those interested can access the participant area starting at 9:30 AM, while the tournament will begin at 10:00 AM. This temporal proximity between both events underscores the importance of the initiative within the sports calendar of the season.

A clear objective: surpass Duke's record

The goal of the KO Tournament is unequivocal: to gather more than 711 participants. This figure is not coincidental; it corresponds to the record set by Duke University in February of this year. Badalona has the opportunity to become the city that displaces the American institution from the world podium, solidifying its position as a reference in massive basketball events. The choice of this locality to host the challenge is symbolic, given that basketball is an integral part of Badalona's history and identity.

The KO Tournament will function as a large collective game where participants will compete in a knockout format. The specific game rules are available on the official event landing page, which also details all the requirements to participate. The organization has designed a system that allows for maximum simultaneous participation, optimizing the available times and spaces in the Fan Zone.

Open registration and prizes for participants

Anyone interested in being part of this historical challenge can now register. The participation form is available on the official ACB and Badalona City Council websites. This democratized access aims to ensure that the maximum number of fans and players can take part in the event, regardless of their competitive level.

The organization has prepared attractive incentives to encourage participation. The winner of the KO Tournament will receive a double pass and accommodation for the Copa del Rey in Valencia 2027, one of the most prestigious events in Spanish basketball. In addition to this main prize, all participants, regardless of when they are eliminated, will be able to take home various gifts and enjoy special surprises prepared for the day. This prize structure aims to recognize both competitive effort and participation in an event of international significance.

Badalona, a basketball city

The selection of Badalona as the venue for this challenge is not coincidental. The city has a deeply rooted tradition in basketball, with a legacy that transcends local boundaries. Hosting an event that aims to break a world record reinforces Badalona's position as the epicenter of Spanish basketball, capable of organizing initiatives of international magnitude.

The collaboration between public and private institutions, materialized in the alliance between the ACB, the City Council, and Endesa, reflects a joint commitment to the development of grassroots and mass basketball. These types of initiatives transcend professional competition, generating a significant community impact and consolidating the sport as a unifying element of local society.

The event on September 19 represents a unique opportunity for fans of all ages to participate in a historic milestone. The combination of competition, entertainment, and the aspiration for a world record creates an attractive context for mass participation. The organization has paid attention to logistical details, from access times to the layout of the Fan Zone, to ensure a smooth and memorable experience.

With the 2026-27 season approaching, the ACB has chosen an exceptional starting point. The Badalona KO Tournament not only aims to enter the Guinness World Records, but also to set a precedent for future collective participation events in Spanish basketball. The city is preparing to welcome hundreds of participants for a day that will combine competition, fun, and the pride of being part of a world record.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Badalona aspira al récord mundial con torneo masivo de baloncesto