Japanese national team star Mai Yamamoto joins Project B as league establishes its footprint in Asia

Today, Project B announced Tokyo as a host city of its 2026-27 basketball season. The global sports platform will play men’s and women’s tournaments at Toyota Arena in April 2027, bringing the world’s top basketball talent to one of Asia’s most vibrant sports markets.

“We’re honored to bring Project B to Tokyo alongside our partners in Japan,” said Keisuke Mitsui, Head of Project B Japan. “Tokyo sits at the intersection of global culture, innovation, and basketball, with a fan base that truly understands and loves the game. Japan has shown what’s possible when you invest in players and fans, and Toyota Arena will be an iconic stage for our athletes and a destination for basketball fans around the world.”

As part of the announcement, dominant Japanese point guard Mai Yamamoto confirmed her signing with Project B as a player and equity partner. Yamamoto is one of Japan’s most exciting players and a key figure in the country’s rising basketball movement.

“It is a true honor to be part of Project B, and I am deeply grateful for this opportunity,” said Yamamoto. “I want to use this global stage to show the world ‘Japanese Dynamism’ - our unique speed and passion. Carrying the Pride of Japan in my heart, I am excited to welcome the global elite to my home country. Japanese fans create an unforgettable atmosphere, and to compete against the best in front of my family and fans is my ultimate motivation. I want to prove that our style of basketball can challenge the world, and inspire the next generation to believe that they can stand on this stage too.”

The Tokyo tournament will be one of seven stops on Project B’s global circuit season format, with each city hosting a ten-day event that crowns a local champion and feeds into a season-long championship race.

“Mai is a world-class talent and a true role model,” said Alana Beard, four-time WNBA All-Star and Chief of Basketball at Project B. “The way she connects with fans is inspiring, and bringing the world’s best basketball to Japan with her is incredibly meaningful. Our players will experience firsthand the creativity, discipline, and fearlessness that make Japanese basketball culture so special.”

Project B’s model is built around athlete partnership and ownership, a global tournament circuit, streaming, and social-first distribution designed to reach fans globally.

“Tokyo will be one of the anchors of our presence in Asia,” Mitsui added. “We’re excited to bring Japan to fans around the world and are investing in growing the game here, working with local partners, and building long-term relationships with Japanese fans, brands, and communities.”

Additional details on dates for the Tokyo tournament at Toyota Arena will be announced in the coming months.

About Project B

Project B is a global sports platform built for players and fans. Starting with basketball, Project B is creating a high-stakes, international tournament circuit featuring the world’s top men’s and women’s players, competing in world-class cities across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Designed for a streaming, social, and mobile-first world, Project B combines live elite competition with deep storytelling, reaching audiences globally.

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