TIM Xp ONE Basketball Tournament Kicks Off in Andorra with Record 117 Teams

The TIM Xp ONE Basketball tournament kicked off this weekend in Andorra, drawing 117 teams and 1,331 players for its 18th edition. The event features 211 matches across 16 courts in nine facilities spread through La Massana, Escaldes-Engordany, Andorra la Vella, Ordino, Sant Julià de Lòria, and Encamp, with Canillo the only parish left out. Competition spans eight categories—four male and four female—from mini to cadet, including infantil and preinfantil levels.

Organiser Manel Casas described the opening day as running smoothly, with all courts starting on time and bus services operating without issues. Despite unsettled weather, he noted it had no major impact. "Everything has gone very smoothly," Casas said, adding that participants were enjoying the event.

Most teams hail from Catalonia, joined this year by a cadet squad from Gibraltar's federation, boosting the international flavour. Regular participants like La Salle Bonanova, fielding around 10 teams, and Bàsquet Vilafant returned for the occasion. The tournament coincides with the May 1 holiday weekend, filling hotels and generating significant overnight stays—one of the TIM Xperience series' key economic benefits. Organisers estimate their annual events produce 35,000 to 38,000 hotel nights, positioning them as a vital driver outside peak seasons.

Beyond the courts, the event underscores Andorra's role as a sports hub, blending youth basketball with tourism and local economic activity. Casas highlighted growing female participation, nearing parity with male teams. "We're close to matching male and female team numbers," he said, predicting future caps to maintain balance as women's basketball gains momentum.

Launched in 2008, the TIM Xperience series hit a record 498 teams across four tournaments last year, reflecting steady expansion amid rising competition. This basketball edition reinforces Andorra's appeal for base-level sports gatherings.