Over 1,300 Young Basketball Players from 117 Teams Compete in Andorra's TIM Xp One Tournament

Over 1,300 young basketball players from 117 teams are competing in the TIM Xp One Bàsquet 2026 tournament this weekend across Andorra, with the event already underway smoothly on its opening day despite unsettled weather.

The competition involves 1,331 athletes in eight categories—four male and four female—spanning cadet, infantil, preinfantil, and mini divisions. A total of 211 matches are being played on 16 courts at nine facilities in La Massana, Escaldes-Engordany, Andorra la Vella, Ordino, Sant Julià de Lòria, and Encamp. Only Canillo is not hosting games.

Tournament director Manel Casas described the inaugural session as running "very smoothly," with all courts starting on time and bus lines operating effectively. "The sensations are very good and people are enjoying it," he said, noting that while the weather was not ideal, it was anticipated and did not disrupt proceedings. Casas highlighted ongoing logistical challenges in coordinating across nearly all parishes but said they are now manageable after years of experience, thanks to partnerships with groups like Protecció Civil and Andorra Telecom.

Most teams hail from Catalonia, joined this year by a cadet squad from Gibraltar's federation, adding an international element. Regular participants include clubs like La Salle Bonanova, fielding around 10 teams, and Bàsquet Vilafant. The event fills pavellions, hotels, and roads with buses, generating significant overnight stays—one of the TIM Xperience's key economic benefits. The series as a whole produces 35,000 to 38,000 hotel nights annually, boosting tourism outside peak seasons.

Timed for the May 1 holiday bridge, the tournament underscores Andorra's role as a youth sports hub, with growing participation and a vibrant atmosphere. It launches the 18th edition of the TIM Xperience, started in 2008 and held yearly except in 2020 due to Covid-19. Last year's four events—two basketball and two volleyball—set a record with 498 teams. Organizers also noted rising female participation, nearing parity with males and even surpassing it in volleyball, potentially leading to future caps for balance.