By Javier Molero/ jmolero@eurohoops.net
Madrid will be one of the host cities for EuroBasket 2029. Eurohoops was present at the opening ceremony in the city, with various basketball figures in attendance.
Rudy Fernández, Chus Mateo, Elisa Aguilar, Felipe Reyes, Sergio Rodríguez, and the President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, among others, were present at the event held at Casa de Postas, near the Puerta del Sol.
The event was opened by Elisa Aguilar, President of the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB), who spoke about the importance of choosing Madrid as the host city and the historic nature of the tournament in the Spanish capital.
“It will be almost a year since May 22, 2025, when I experienced one of the happiest moments since becoming president. Since I’ve been at the Federation, we’ve had sustainable growth that makes our sport more popular every day,” commented Elisa.
“Almost a year ago in Latvia, with Sergio Scariolo and Sergio Rodríguez, we were able to convince FIBA to organize this tournament. When we say it’s more than just a tournament, it’s because we’re going to hold it in a region that lives and breathes sports. We’re going to elevate basketball, to take it to a new and transcendent dimension,” continued the FEB president.
“Our idea was to organize a men’s basketball tournament, to put Madrid and Spain on the map, but also to leverage the future of our sport. This is the message that has resonated nationally and internationally. It will experience growth that will make Madrid one of the most attractive cities. We had a brief chat with our President, Díaz Ayuso. This is what happens when two people share a common vision,” she explained at the event.
“It’s going to be an opening game with 80,000 people, something never before seen in FIBA. It will help basketball turn the page and take its rightful place. It’s an approximate budget of 25 million euros, which will have a path forward until 2029 to extend beyond the court,” he concluded.
A legend like Rudy Fernández echoed this sentiment, expressing “healthy envy” about what will be done at the Bernabéu.
“I’m healthily envious because playing at the Bernabéu is every athlete’s dream. Thanks to the Community and the Federation for making it possible. There’s a lot of work to be done, but every basketball fan has this date on their calendar because it’s going to be historic,” explained the former Real Madrid player.
The new national team coach, Chus Mateo, took the opportunity to speak about the “responsibility” they have ahead of them.
“We have a responsibility, because the eyes of the world will be on Spain. We’re going to try to do our best to represent Spanish basketball at the high level it deserves. Thanks to its federations, clubs, and coaches—and we must never forget the schools—I’m sure it will turn out well,” he commented.
“Talking about the ‘golden generation’ is a big deal. It’s a generation that has always demonstrated the very high level of basketball in Spain. Trying to compare these up-and-coming generations, which are very exciting, I think is too soon. With hard work and the right amount of time, given how they’re developing, I think they’re going to achieve very good results. I’m not just talking about Madrid 2029, but also the upcoming championships,” Mateo explained.
“The first two FIBA World Cup Qualifiers have helped us see that we’re capable of competing at this level. There are people who have helped a lot during those qualifiers, and I’ll always cherish the memories,” he said about the last few months.
“There are people who have helped a lot during those qualifiers, and I’ll always remember them,” he said about the last few months”. To conclude, the President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, spoke about the city and its growing importance in the sporting world.
“I want to thank Elisa Aguilar for having placed her trust in us and for sharing this dream. We want this region to be at the service of Spain and of sport. For those of us who are here, for the new generations, and for those yet to come,” the President commented.
“We are going to be the home of the best European basketball, which will capture the eyes of the entire world. The championship will begin here, and we will take center stage, hosting the final phase and that grand final at the Movistar Arena. 24 teams, 20 days. This region, and the home of Spain, will be where world basketball shines,” she explained.
“In this EuroBasket debut, we are going to witness a scene unlike anything ever seen before,” Díaz Ayuso declared.
“In this EuroBasket debut, we are going to experience something never seen before.” “The forecast for Madrid 2029 is enormous. We estimate that the tournament will be watched by more than 300 million people. This allows everyone to see what’s happening in Madrid,” he concluded.