Logo of the Asian University Basketball League. [Photo/AUBL]

The Asian University Sports Federation (AUSF) confirmed on May 22 that the inaugural edition of the Asian University Basketball League (AUBL) is scheduled for August in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province.

Twelve universities, including China's Tsinghua University and Peking University, Japan's Hakuoh University and South Korea's Dongguk University, will participate in the week-long event from August 18-24.

"The Asian University Basketball League is not only a competitive event but also marks a new journey in the development of university basketball across Asia," said AUSF president Liu Lixin. "Through the joint efforts of all relevant parties, we hope the Asian University Basketball League will inspire the younger generation to pursue higher goals, embrace grander dreams and unite with greater strength."

The formation of the AUBL is sanctioned by the AUSF, the governing body of university sports in Asia.

"With close to one billion basketball fans in Asia, we see that the most untapped potential in the entire basketball ecosystem exists here at the college level," said Jay Li, CEO of the AUBL. "We aspire to build a history-defining league that will accelerate the sport's development and trajectory by bringing top collegiate teams from Asia together."

This summer's AUBL event will follow a championship-style format. Organizers plan to launch an annual home-and-away season beginning in 2026, with each season lasting over six months.