The intensity of international basketball is hitting a fever pitch as FIBA EuroBasket 2025 grabs the spotlight. With 24 national teams, a roster packed with NBA superstars, and millions of fans watching worldwide, the tournament is poised to add another chapter of drama and glory to Europe’s most prestigious basketball competition.
For those not yet familiar with the event, here is a complete guide to what EuroBasket is, how it functions, and what to watch for this year.
What Is EuroBasket 2025 and How Does It Work?
EuroBasket 2025 is FIBA’s premier European basketball championship, an event held every four years. This year marks the 42nd edition of the tournament and is co-hosted by Latvia, Finland, Cyprus, and Poland, with the final knockout rounds and the championship game scheduled to take place in Riga. The event runs from August 27 to September 14 and will feature 76 games packed into just over two weeks.
The format kicks off with four groups of six teams each, where every team plays one another in a round-robin style group stage. In this phase, teams earn two points for a victory and one for a loss.
The top four teams from each group will then advance to the Round of 16, which is followed by the quarterfinals, semifinals, and ultimately, the gold-medal game. Tiebreakers are determined first by head-to-head results, then by point differential, and finally by the total points scored.
The #EuroBasket 2025 Schedule has been announced!
📅 More info: https://t.co/Ww1CFudZOV pic.twitter.com/pc2T94mZ2i
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) April 30, 2025
Who Is Playing and What Is at Stake?
The four co-host nations received automatic qualification, while the remaining 20 teams earned their spots through a series of qualifiers. The resulting groups are filled with talent:
- Group A (Latvia host): Portugal, Estonia, Latvia, Türkiye, Serbia, Czechia
- Group B (Finland host): Germany, Finland, Great Britain, Lithuania, Sweden, Montenegro
- Group C (Cyprus host): Italy, Spain, Greece, Georgia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Cyprus
- Group D (Poland host): Slovenia, France, Poland, Israel, Belgium, Iceland
Reigning champions Spain are back to defend their title after a triumphant run in 2022, where Willy Hernangómez was named the tournament’s MVP.
The stakes are incredibly high this year, not just for the glory of being crowned continental champions but also for securing favorable seeding in the upcoming 2026 FIBA World Cup.
Which NBA Stars Are Competing in EuroBasket 2025?
This year’s EuroBasket is set to feature some of the NBA’s biggest and brightest stars, adding another level of excitement to the competition. The list of headliners includes:
- Luka Dončić (Slovenia, Lakers)
- Nikola Jokić (Serbia, Nuggets)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece, Bucks)
- Kristaps Porziņģis (Latvia, Hawks)
- Franz Wagner (Germany, Magic)
- Jonas Valančiūnas (Lithuania, Nuggets)
- Jusuf Nurkić (Bosnia, Jazz)
- Lauri Markkanen (Finland, Jazz)
NIKOLA JOKIĆ ARE YOU JOKING 🤯🤯🤯
Just minutes into Serbia’s Eurobasket opener! pic.twitter.com/e52CsT94e6
— NBA (@NBA) August 27, 2025
In addition to these established players, France is bringing a wave of young NBA talent, including Zaccharie Risacher, Bilal Coulibaly, and Alex Sarr.
How Can Fans Watch EuroBasket 2025?
Fans around the world can stream every game live through Courtside 1891, which is FIBA’s official subscription service. There are a couple of options available:
- Courtside 1891 Plus (Free): This tier offers extended highlights and specially curated content feeds.
- Courtside 1891 Max (Paid, $30 annually in the U.S.): This premium package provides live streams of all tournament games.
Additionally, television coverage will vary by country. Local networks carrying the games include Teledeporte in Spain, ERTFLIX in Greece, Magentasport in Germany, Sky Italia in Italy, and TVP Sport in Poland.
What Makes EuroBasket One of the World’s Toughest Tournaments?
Beyond crowning Europe’s basketball champion, EuroBasket is widely considered one of the most challenging tournaments in the world. The combination of a condensed format, rosters filled with NBA-level talent, and intense national pride on display makes it a must-watch event for any basketball fan.
For some nations, it represents a rare opportunity to make history on a global stage. For stars like Dončić, Jokić, and Antetokounmpo, it is another platform to cement their already incredible legacies. With Spain defending its crown, powerhouse rosters assembled across the board, and a new wave of talent breaking through, EuroBasket 2025 is set to be another unforgettable spectacle for international basketball.
