PHILIPSBURG:--- The stage is officially set for Business Hoops 2026, taking place January 28th – February 7th, 2026. The highly anticipated Pool Draw was conducted on Tuesday, December 2nd at the L.B. Scotts Auditorium at 8:00 PM, where all 16 participating teams learned their path to championship glory.
Organizers say this year’s draw has produced some of the most competitive and intriguing groups in the tournament’s history, including an immediate rematch between the 2025 finalists.
Pool 1 features defending champions Port St. Maarten, SVOBE Schools, last year’s sub-champions Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE), and Hilton Grand Vacations.
With Port St. Maarten and Airport meeting in the same pool for the first time, fans are anticipating an intense early showdown between last season’s top two teams.
The second pool brings together four organizations representing essential pillars of the community: WINAIR, the St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC), the Fire Department (Airport), and the Government of Sint Maarten.
These matchups are expected to deliver strong competitive energy driven by workplace pride and interdepartmental rivalries.
Pool 3 includes NV GEBE, NAGICO Insurances, the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC), and Rainforest Adventures St. Maarten, who claimed third place in 2025.
Rainforest Adventures enters the group looking to repeat last year’s deep tournament run, but will face determined opponents aiming to disrupt their momentum.
Rounding out the draw, Pool 4 consists of Collectivité de Saint-Martin, the St. Maarten Police Department, Menzies Aviation, and Prime.
With a mix of defensive strength and new challengers eager to make a statement, this pool is widely considered one of the most unpredictable.
Only the top two teams from each pool will advance to the next round, making every matchup crucial. With talent stacked across all four pools, fans can expect high-level basketball, electric atmospheres, and unforgettable moments throughout the tournament.
“Business Hoops 2026 is officially underway,” organizers said. “The draw is complete, the path is clear, and teams now know exactly what stands between them and the championship.”
The tournament schedule, team features, and behind-the-scenes coverage will be released in the coming weeks.
Business Hoops continues to grow as one of St. Maarten’s premier corporate sporting events, uniting businesses, public institutions, and the wider community through sport.
