By Stefan Acevski/ info@eurohoops.net
The event was hosted by the French Basketball Federation (FFBB) and chaired by FIBA Europe President Jorge Garbajosa, with FIBA President Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani, FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis and FIBA Executive Director Europe Kamil Novak also in attendance.
Before the commencement of the meeting, Mr. Garbajosa and Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani honored the FFBB President and event host, Jean-Pierre Hunckler.
In his opening statement, Mr. Garbajosa highlighted the recent success of the eight European teams that punched their tickets for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 through the Qualifying Tournaments, including France and Türkiye as two of the organizers.
Mr. Garbajosa highlighted that recent developments in conflict zones around the world may present challenges in the near future and called for unity within the European family to overcome them.
In his intervention, Mr. Zagklis offered an overview of preparations for the upcoming FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 in Berlin, Germany, including a very promising ticket sales status. He also offered updates on the comprehensive FIBA players insurance program.
Mr. Novak updated members on the various development projects of FIBA Europe, including confirmation of June 2026 as the launch date for the successful TIME-OUT 4.0 program.
The Board approved the integration of Her World Her Rules (HWHR), Youth Development Fund (YDF) and Alley-Oop programs in the FIBA Europe Hoop For Schools Project and heard updates on all other current programs.
The 2026 FIBA Europe Mini Basketball Convention will take place from June 4-7 in Skopje, North Macedonia while the 2026 FIBA Europe U14 Get Together is headed for Tallinn, Estonia, from October 9-11.
FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2027
The FIBA Europe Board received a detailed overview of the new format for the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers, which started at the beginning of November 2025 and has produced positive feedback and some surprise results.
FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers
The second Window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers was played from February 23 to March 3, 2026. Fans showed enormous interest, as highlighted by the fact that 17 arenas were sold out for these games, while this Window ranked among the best in terms of media coverage.
Bidding Process for FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2029
The Board approved the bidding process for FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2029. The bidding process for hosts is still on track to start in the summer of 2026 with the award of the hosts expected by March 2027.
Other National Team and Club Competitions matters
The Board received reports on the EuroBasket 2029 and Women’s EuroBasket 2027 preparations as well as the ongoing EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifiers, and all club competitions – EuroLeague Women, EuroCup Women, FIBA Europe Cup and the Basketball Champions League, which has Badalona as its confirmed Final Four host city.
On EuroLeague Women in particular, the Board was informed about the nearly sold-out arena for the Final Six in Zaragoza in April and the promise of an exciting event.
The 7,829 spectators in attendance at the game between Panathinaikos and Zaglebie in Athens, in the Round of 16 of EuroCup Women, was especially highlighted as it constitutes the third-highest attendance ever in the competition and a record-high for a game outside the Finals.
FIBA Masters
The Board receives a detailed presentation on the new FIBA Masters Project, an event for players over the age of 40, to be implemented for the first time in June 2026 in Greece.
Remaining hosts for Youth 2026 and early assignments for 2027
An alternative competition system for the FIBA U16 Women’s EuroBasket 2026, Division B was approved and three hosts were assigned, with each one organizing a “mini-tournament” of six or seven teams. The winner of each mini -tournament will earn promotion to Division A in 2027. The hosts are: Piestany, Slovakia; Grengewald or Betrange, Luxembourg; Ioannina, Greece.
The following early designation was also approved for 2027: FIBA U20 Women’s EuroBasket in Poznan, Poland.
Other matters
The Board approved the financial results of 2025.
It also approved the report on the situation in Israel and the recommendation that, under the current circumstances, the home games of Israeli clubs and national teams will continue to be played in neutral venues.
Regarding the situation with the Great Britain Basketball Federation, FIBA has formed a working group which is in close contact and oversees all developments regarding the future of the Federation.
The Board also received an update on the recent development with regards to non-recognized leagues in Europe.
The next Board meeting is part of the FIBA Europe General Assembly 2026, set for May 15-16 in Reykjavik, Iceland.