SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The road to Business Hoops 2027 officially got underway on Thursday, August 20th, 2026, at 7:00PM as representatives from companies across St. Maarten gathered at the L.B. Scott Sports Auditorium for the tournament's first team meeting.
But this year carries a little more weight.
Business Hoops is celebrating its third anniversary, marking three years of bringing businesses, organizations and government agencies together through basketball, competition and community.
What started as a corporate basketball concept has grown into one of St. Maarten's most anticipated sporting events, and if the turnout at Thursday's meeting is any indication, the third edition is shaping up to be its most competitive yet.
With approximately 15 teams represented at the meeting and 23 teams currently expressing interest, the race is already on for one of the 16 available spots.
And some familiar contenders are coming back for more.
The 2026 champions, Hilton Grand Vacations, were in attendance, along with Rainforest Adventures, who finished second last season. The 2025 champions, Port St. Maarten, are also set to return, giving the upcoming tournament three championship-caliber teams with proven records on the Business Hoops stage.
Three years. Two champions. One trophy. History is waiting to be made. Will Hilton Grand Vacations become the first back-to-back champion? Will Rainforest Adventures finally claim the crown? Can 2025 champions Port St. Maarten reclaim their throne and become the tournament’s first two-time champion? Or will a new powerhouse rise and rewrite the Business Hoops hierarchy?
A Three-Year Tradition
As Business Hoops enters its third year, the milestone represents more than simply another tournament on the calendar.
It represents the growth of a platform where companies compete, employees come together, rivalries develop and basketball becomes the common language.
Each year has brought new teams, new storylines and new champions. Now, the 2027 edition arrives with an even bigger challenge: managing growing interest while keeping the tournament's competitive format intact.
Despite 23 teams currently showing interest, the tournament will remain capped at 16 teams over 11 days, running from January 27 through February 6, 2027. The registration deadline is November 1, 2026.
That means seven teams currently interested could ultimately miss out.
And with new teams such as GCG, The Bankers and St. Maarten Coastguard looking to enter the competition, nobody can afford to wait too long.
Three Years In — And Still Getting Bigger
The three-year anniversary also comes at a time when Business Hoops is seeing some of its strongest interest yet.
WINAIR was the first team to officially register for the 2027 tournament, setting the pace as companies look to secure their place in the 16-team field.
The rules and tournament format will remain unchanged for 2027, while teams were also reminded of the importance of selecting uniform colors that avoid conflicts with other teams.
A representative from Innovative Sports attended the meeting and presented teams with a package option that includes uniforms, fan shirts and coach polos.
And although the meeting was about preparation, there was no shortage of competitive energy in the room. After all, this is Business Hoops. The jerseys may not be on yet, but the rivalry has already started.
The Road to February
Three years after Business Hoops first hit the court, the tournament continues to build momentum.
The 2027 edition will feature returning champions, hungry challengers and new organizations hoping to write their own chapter in Business Hoops history.
23 teams are interested. Only 16 will make it to the court.
And when the opening tip goes up on January 27, 2027, the celebrations surrounding the tournament's three-year anniversary will quickly give way to what everyone came for: Competition.
The road to the championship starts now.
Business Hoops 2027
January 27 – February 6, 2027
Work Hard. Play Harder.
