ABOUT FIBA AND MASTERS BASKETBALL
What does FIBA do to develop Masters Basketball?
FIBA’s ambition is to create a structured, sustainable, and inclusive ecosystem for Masters Basketball worldwide. This is achieved through two main pillars:
• The FIBA Masters Open, a flagship annual international event that brings together the global Masters Basketball community in one celebration of lifelong participation.
• Collaboration with FIBA National Federations, supporting them in coordinating, structuring, and growing Masters Basketball activities at national and regional level, in line with FIBA’s development framework.
In the coming years, a FIBA Masters Nations Cup, might be implemented as the structure of the FIBA Masters system matures. FIBA National Federations will be invited to endorse teams to represent their Federation in each age category, enabling a true World Champion in each age category.
Will there be more FIBA Masters Open events?
Yes. Following the inaugural edition in Greece in 2026, the next edition is scheduled for mid-2027. Looking ahead, FIBA’s objective is to organise at least one FIBA Masters Open per year, with the potential to expand into regional or continental editions over time. Planning for the FIBA Nations Cup will also be undertaken, with information shared when available.
What is the role of the FIBA Foundation?
The FIBA Foundation is the social and legacy arm of FIBA, addressing the role of basketball in society while preserving and promoting the sport’s values and cultural heritage. You can find out more about its activities on its website (https://foundation.fiba.basketball/en). In the context of the FIBA Masters Open, the FIBA Foundation will support the sustainability of Basketball For Good projects in Greece, ensuring that the event leaves a meaningful and lasting legacy beyond the competition itself.
Why does the competition start at 40 years old?
In most countries, players actively compete in structured local leagues until the age of 40. FIBA therefore aims to create new competitive opportunities for players over 40 years old, which is typically the age at which many players reduce or stop regular competitive play. This positioning also helps preserve the event's spirit and avoids overlap with active professional or semi-professional competitions.
Up to what age can I participate?
FIBA’s ambition is to allow any person who loves our game to participate at an appropriate age level. This may vary over time based on a range of factors and will remain flexible and evolve based on participation levels. The highest age level for the inaugural event is 85+.
Does FIBA collaborate with other organisations?
Yes. FIBA is open to collaboration with all structured, transparent, and well-organised entities active in Masters Basketball. Over the past months, FIBA has already engaged in dialogue with several organisers at continental, regional, and national level. These discussions will continue in the coming months and years with the objective of uniting the Masters Basketball community behind a common long-term vision and a coherent development pathway
What is FIMBA’s relationship with FIBA?
Several enquiries have been received regarding FIMBA, an organisation based in Argentina that has administered basketball tournaments globally, focusing on senior players (“MaxiBasket”). FIMBA is not, and has never been, a recognised entity by FIBA. At the outset of the FIBA Masters basketball project, FIBA engaged with FIMBA to discuss the possibility of working together. However, an understanding could not be reached, and FIMBA remains unrecognised by FIBA. Our intention remains to foster inclusiveness and collaboration within the Masters Basketball community, and the door remains open should FIMBA choose to seek recognition in alignment with FIBA’s vision and regulatory framework.
EVENT INFORMATION
Who is hosting the event?
The Hellenic Basketball Federation is hosting the event. Find out more about our hosts in the dedicated section of our event website
When should we arrive and when should we plan to depart?
Arrival timing depends mainly on travel distance. Teams travelling from far away or across time zones may wish to arrive on Friday to allow time to recover from travel and adjust before the competition starts. Teams travelling from closer locations can comfortably arrive on Saturday.
Saturday will be dedicated to accreditation pick up and the technical meeting, allowing teams to complete all formalities ahead of competition. Group games for the basketball competition will start on Sunday. A rest day is scheduled in the middle of the week. Final games will take place from Thursday through Sunday, depending on the age category and competition format.
For the 3x3 competition, games will be played every day from Sunday through Thursday night, with the final taking place over the weekend.
The recommended departure day is Monday, allowing teams to complete the competition and depart without rushing.
Why were those dates selected?
The event is intentionally held in summer to combine a high-quality basketball experience with a holiday atmosphere. The week of 4–12 July was identified as the best option, as the week before is impacted by a major Rally event in the region, while the following weeks coincide with peak holiday season, limiting hotel and accommodation availability.
What can participants expect from the Corinth and Attica region?
The region offers a unique mix of culture, history, and seaside relaxation. Highlights include the Corinth Canal, Ancient Corinth, Ancient Olympia, boat excursions, as well as hiking and cycling opportunities in the surrounding mountains. The proximity to Athens also allows for organised day trips to explore the Greek capital and its landmarks. More details on the various touristic offers and activities will be provided early 2026 on the event website.
Will there be any restrictions due to heat?
All indoor venues will be air-conditioned, allowing games to be played throughout the day without restrictions. For the outdoor 3x3 competition, no games will be scheduled during peak heat hours. Matches will take place in the mornings and evenings to ensure safe and comfortable playing conditions.
Why is 3x3 included in the FIBA Masters Open?
3x3 is included in the FIBA Masters Open as a complementary competition format that reflects both the evolution of basketball and FIBA’s long term strategic commitment to the discipline. 3x3 has experienced rapid global growth in recent years and has become an integral pillar of FIBA’s development strategy, offering a dynamic, accessible, and widely played version of the game.
From a participant perspective, 3x3 provides an attractive alternative to traditional five on five basketball. It allows teams with fewer players to participate, opening the door for teams that may not be able to gather 10 or 12 players for a full basketball roster. The half court format reduces the amount of running from end to end, while offering more frequent contact with the ball and a different style of play that many senior age categories find particularly enjoyable and better suited to their physical preferences.
By including 3x3, the FIBA Masters Open expands participation opportunities, embraces one of basketball’s fastest growing disciplines, and offers a diverse and inclusive competition experience for the Masters Basketball community.
REGISTRATION AND PARTICIPATION
When will registration open?
The full registration system will open in January. In the meantime, teams and individuals are invited to pre-register their interest here.
Can I bring family members or friends?
Yes. Family members and friends are welcome to attend the event. Accompanying guests are strongly advised to register in order to receive an event badge and access to the opening and closing ceremonies, attend social events, receive the official welcome bag, and be allowed to use the entire transportation system organised by the LOC. A financial contribution for registered accompanying guests will be required, to cover these costs. Exact details are available on the event website in the registration section.
What happens if my team needs to cancel after registration?
Cancellation conditions are clearly defined in the official cancellation policy. The accommodation cancellation policy is available on the event website in the accommodation section.
Will games be open to the public?
Yes. There will be no entry fee to games, although capacity may be limited in some circumstances.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
What are the participation costs?
A detailed pricing structure is available on the event website in the registration section.
What is included in the registration fee?
The registration fee covers all competition related services such as referees, table officials, venue rental, and game operations. It also includes the welcome bag, access to opening and closing ceremonies, social events, and the official transportation system.
How are registration fees used?
Revenue generated by the event is primarily reinvested into the organization of the FIBA Masters Open, with the aim of helping to reduce costs and enhance the overall participant experience.
What happens if the event generates a surplus?
Any surplus generated from the event will be entirely reinvested into the sport of basketball, reinforcing the not-for-profit nature of both FIBA and the Hellenic Basketball Federation. A significant portion will be allocated to the ongoing development and improvement of the FIBA Masters Open, ensuring participants and the wider basketball community continue to benefit. Additionally, remaining funds will be donated to the FIBA Foundation in support of its Basketball for Good initiatives. As the Hellenic Basketball Federation is hosting the event, any locally generated funds will be directly channelled into promoting and developing basketball in Greece, further underscoring the commitment to reinvesting revenues back into the sport.
TRANSPORTATION
Will there be an organised transportation system?
Yes. Public transport services will be complemented by dedicated event transportation where necessary, ensuring smooth mobility between official hotels and venues. More details are available in the transportation section of the event website.
Who can help me with transportation questions?
A dedicated transportation team will be available before and during the event to provide guidance and practical information.
ACCOMMODATION
What type of accommodation is available?
A selection from 2-star up to 5-star hotels and apartments will be offered at preferential rates. More details can be found on the accommodation page here of the event website.
Are the accommodation prices competitive?
Yes. Agreements with hotels ensure that prices are aligned with market rates. There is no major mark-up applied by the organisers, however there is a very small operational handling fee that has already been added to the room rates that you will find in the accommodation section of the event website.
How do I book accommodation?
Accommodation options will be available during the registration process and on the website. A dedicated team will assist participants with bookings and payments.
Can I book accommodation independently?
Yes. Participants are free to book independently. However, please note that transportation will only be available to/from official hotels/venues, so participants who book their own accommodation will need to travel to an official venue to avail themselves of official transportation.
COMPETITION
What quality of competition can we expect?
The quality of the competition is dependent on the registration of teams. However, the format of the tournament, first with a group phase, followed by bracket pairings ensures means that all teams should get the opportunity to face other teams with their same level of play.
My friends and I love basketball, but we are really only a social/recreational team. Should we participate?
Yes. The FIBA Masters Open is an open and inclusive event designed to bring together the global Masters Basketball community, regardless of background or previous playing level. While it is expected that some players and teams with previous high level or professional experience will take part, the event is not reserved only for elite athletes.
The FIBA Masters Open is also about enjoyment, community, and sharing the game we love with teammates, family, and friends. Social and recreational teams are welcome to register and be part of this unique international basketball experience.
Can I play for more than one team?
No. Players may only register with one team for the FIBA Masters Open.
Can I participate in both Basketball and 3x3?
No. Participation is limited to one competition format per player.
Where can I find the competition rules?
The official FIBA Masters Open Competition Regulations will be published soon on the event website in the dedicated Rules and Regulations section. These regulations will provide full and detailed information on all competition requirements, formats, and any category specific adaptations.
In the meantime, participants are encouraged to consult the Rules section of the website, which provides guidance on the main principles, formats, and key elements of the competition. This information is intended to help teams prepare and understand what to expect ahead of the release of the final regulations.
A simplified participant handbook will also be published at a later stage to offer an easy to read overview of the most important topics for teams and players.
What are the rules regarding uniforms?
Please refer to the Competition Regulations on the event website.
What balls will be used?
Basketball games will use Molten BG5000 balls, size 6 for women and size 7 for men. Each court will be equipped with warm up balls, which must be returned after warming up.
Who will officiate the games?
The tournament referees will be supervised by an experienced FIBA Head Referee. Games will be officiated by experienced active referees from the host country, while table officials will be provided by a pool of experienced officials. Some international referees will be present during the event as part of a referee clinic to ensure sufficient high-level officiating.
How many teams per category?
There is no fixed number of teams per age category, as this might vary during the registration process. However, for basketball, the maximum number of teams per category is 32. The final number of games will be adjusted based on registrations, but will vary between 5 and 7 games per team.
Is there a minimum viable number of teams in a category? What will you do if that minimum is not reached?
If there are three or fewer entries in an age category, those teams will be joined with a neighboring age category in the group phase, before playing their own final games.
Is there an overall limit on the number of teams?
Yes. For basketball the maximum registration is limited to 300 teams overall and 100 teams for 3x3.
When will the draw take place?
Registrations will close approximately two months before the event, soon after which the draw will be conducted. The full competition schedule will be published one month before the start of the event.
Registrations for a particular category may close earlier if the number of teams reaches the limit, in which case a waiting list will be maintained.
Will the draw be live-streamed ?
Yes, the draw will be livestreamed, all information will be sent to the registered participants and will be available on the event website.
What systems will be used during the competition for statistics and scorekeeping?
NBN23 will be used for statistics and digital scoresheets. All games will be live on the Swish app, with additional overviews available on the event website.
Will games be live streamed or recorded for later viewing?
Live streaming or recording of games is not guaranteed at this stage. The organisers are actively working on solutions and potential partnerships to make this possible for some games. Should this be confirmed, further information will be shared closer to the event.
TEAM COMPOSITION
Where can I find eligibility rules?
Please refer to the Competition Regulations on the event website.
How many players are allowed per team?
For Basketball, each team must have at least eight players and may include up to 12.
For 3x3, the minimum is four players, with a maximum of six.
How many support staff are allowed?
In addition to the players, each team may bring up to two additional individuals, such as a coach or other staff member, as part of their official delegation.
Can a player on one team be a coach or a medical support person on another?
Yes, but no scheduling concessions will be made.
What is the role of the team delegate?
The team delegate (who may be a player, coach or medical advisor) is responsible for team registration and serves as the primary point of contact with the organisers. They must attend the technical briefing and ensure that all team members complete their individual registrations.
SCHEDULE
How many games will my team play?
Basketball teams will play a minimum of five games and up to seven games depending on whether they reach the finals. A full rest day is planned between the group phase and the finals. The total number of 3x3 games will vary based on the number of teams in each category, though it is expected to be between 8 and 14 games per team.
Will there be games for full final rankings?
Yes, there will be ranking games for the teams not reaching the final rounds.
When will I know my game schedule?
The competition schedule will be published one month before the start of the event. Beyond the group phase, the subsequent schedule will depend on the team’s results.
How will I receive updates?
Updates will be communicated via email to the team delegate, through the event mobile app, and the event website, ensuring this way timely and clear information for all participants.
VENUES
What quality of venues can I expect?
All venues will feature wooden floors, air conditioning, and official FIBA court dimensions. Spectator seating will be available in all venues, with finals hosted in larger arenas. Venues will be fully equipped to meet competition and participant needs.
How do I get to the venues?
Dedicated transportation will be organised from official hotels to venues, using a mix of public transport and shuttle buses where required. A preliminary transportation overview is available on the event website.
Is food and beverage available?
Free water and fruits will be provided in all venues. Additional snacks and beverages will be available for purchase within the venues or in close proximity.
Are locker rooms and showers available?
Yes. Each venue will provide locker rooms and showers, which will be cleaned and rotated between games to ensure availability for all teams.
Where will the 3x3 venue be located?
The 3x3 venue will be located in Kiato along the seaside, surrounded by bars and restaurants, creating a vibrant festival atmosphere.
ENTERTAINMENT AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
What entertainment activities are planned?
The event programme includes an opening ceremony, entertainment events and concerts at the 3x3 venue, in addition to the closing ceremony.
What touristic activities will be organised to discover the region?
A wide variety of touristic activities and sightseeing will be available during the event. An overview of such activities is available on the event website.
Will there be social events?
Yes. Several social evenings and side events will be organised throughout the week to encourage interaction and community building.
3x3 SPECIFIC INFORMATION
What rules will apply?
Official FIBA 3x3 rules will apply, with light adaptations to better suit Masters age categories. These may include an increased shot clock duration and adjusted team composition to reduce injury risk.
Will there be heat related restrictions?
Yes. No 3x3 games will be scheduled between 13:00 and 18:00. Matches will take place during morning and evening hours only. In case of extremely high temperatures, games may be scheduled earlier in the morning or later in the evening.
MEDICAL
Do I need a medical certificate to participate?
No medical certificate is required to take part in the FIBA Masters Open. Each participant is personally responsible for ensuring that they are in enough good physical condition to participate in the event. During the registration process, all participants will be required to sign a waiver form confirming that they are fit to play and acknowledge that they participate at their own risk.
What insurance coverage is provided and what do participants need to arrange individually?
Participants must make their own decisions about personal insurance coverage. It is strongly recommended that each participant is covered by a standard travel insurance policy including first aid treatment and medical repatriation. The event organisers do not provide individual medical or travel insurance for participants.
Will there be on-site medical services during games and training?
Yes. A comprehensive medical support system will be in place throughout the event. Each venue will provide first aid services during games and official activities. Ambulance services and nearby hospitals, if required, will be on standby. In addition, a major hospital centre with full medical capabilities is available in the region to respond to any emergency situation that may arise. These measures are designed to ensure participant safety and provide reassurance to players and teams.