African champions line up third WNBA preseason clash in Indianapolis as part of preparations for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup

Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have added a high-profile clash against WNBA side Indiana Fever to their United States tour as preparations intensify for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.

Both Nigeria and the Indiana Fever confirmed that the fixture will take place on May 2, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The game marks another major test for the reigning African champions, who are using the tour to sharpen their form against top-tier opposition.

The Nigeria Basketball Federation announced the fixture via X, highlighting the growing list of games across multiple cities.

“We weren’t done. First San Diego. Then Kansas City. Now Indianapolis. D’Tigress vs Indiana Fever, 05.02.26, 7PM EST, Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The tour continues,” the post read.

Indiana Fever also confirmed the development, explaining that the match forms part of their preseason build-up while acknowledging D’Tigress’ rising profile in global basketball.

The Indianapolis clash will be the third confirmed game of the tour. D’Tigress will first face the Los Angeles Sparks in San Diego on April 25 — a historic encounter marking the first time an African national team will take on a WNBA side.

They will then play the Minnesota Lynx in Kansas City on April 27 before rounding off the series against the Fever.

The tour reflects a deliberate strategy by the Nigeria Basketball Federation to expose the team to elite competition ahead of the World Cup, scheduled to take place in Berlin.

D’Tigress head into the tour as reigning African champions, having secured a record fifth consecutive AfroBasket title in 2025 — a feat that sealed their qualification for the global tournament.

Although the team recorded mixed results during the March qualifying series, with wins over Colombia and the Philippines and defeats to South Korea, France and Germany, the matches were largely seen as preparatory rather than decisive.

The U.S. tour is expected to provide a stronger benchmark as D’Tigress continue their build-up to the world stage.