Tokyo ignites Project B's global basketball circuit, promising elite competition, cultural immersion, and groundbreaking player compensation starting 2027.
Project B’s vision for a globe-spanning basketball league took its first concrete step Tuesday, with organizers unveiling Tokyo as the initial host city for the league’s international touring format beginning in 2027.
The announcement marks the first officially named destination for Project B’s planned seven-city circuit, a season-long competition that will run annually from November through April. Each stop on the tour is designed as a 10-day event that functions both as a standalone tournament and as part of a cumulative championship race stretching across multiple countries.
Tokyo’s tournament will take place at Toyota Arena from March 26 through April 4, 2027, and will feature both men’s and women’s competitions. Each tournament field will consist of 66 players split into six teams, with a local champion crowned before the circuit moves on to its next destination.
League officials framed the Tokyo selection as a statement about Project B’s broader ambitions rather than a simple scheduling note. The organization is positioning itself as a global alternative to traditional league structures, blending elite talent with rotating host cities that emphasize culture, fan engagement and international reach.
Keisuke Mitsui, who oversees Project B’s operations in Japan, said Tokyo offered a natural starting point for that approach.
“We’re honoured to bring Project B to Tokyo alongside our partners in Japan,” Mitsui said.
“Tokyo sits at the intersection of global culture, innovation and basketball, with a fan base that truly understands and loves the game,” he added. “Japan has shown what’s possible when you invest in players and fans, and Toyota Arena will be an iconic stage for our athletes and a destination for basketball fans around the world.”
While the men’s player pool will be revealed later this year, Project B has already announced 10 women’s players expected to anchor its inaugural season. That group includes established stars such as Alyssa Thomas, Nneka Ogwumike, Jonquel Jones, Jewell Loyd and Kelsey Mitchell.
Tokyo’s event will also feature a home-country star in Mai Yamamoto, whose participation gives the Japanese stop a direct local connection. Yamamoto described the opportunity as a chance to represent both her country and its style of play on a global platform.
“It is a true honour to be part of Project B, and I am deeply grateful for this opportunity,” Yamamoto said.
“I want to use this global stage to show the world ‘Japanese Dynamism’ – our unique speed and passion,” she added. “Carrying the Pride of Japan in my heart, I am excited to welcome the global elite to my home country.”
Beyond its touring structure, Project B has drawn attention for its compensation model, particularly on the women’s side. According to the league, salaries for women’s players are expected to exceed current levels in the WNBA and also surpass pay offered by Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 league launched last year.
Specific financial details have not been made public, but the promise of higher salaries arrives at a critical moment for women’s professional basketball. Interest in the sport has surged worldwide, while debates over pay equity and revenue sharing have intensified. In the United States, negotiations between the WNBA and its players’ union remain unresolved, with compensation and revenue distribution central to the discussions.
Project B’s leaders have positioned the league as a complement — and potential challenger — to existing structures, offering players a new platform that combines global exposure with enhanced earning potential. By anchoring its first announced stop in Tokyo, the league is signaling both its international priorities and its intent to align elite basketball with major global markets.
As additional host cities and player announcements follow, Project B’s Tokyo debut stands as an early indication of how aggressively the league plans to stake its claim on the global basketball landscape.