FIBA Masters Open 2026 launches with seaside Opening Ceremony in Xylokastro
A thousand players from 28 countries gathered on the Corinthian coast to open the first-ever edition of the tournament.
XYLOKASTRO, Greece — The inaugural FIBA Masters Open was officially declared open on Saturday evening with a colourful Opening Ceremony at the Xylokastro Marina, bringing together players, families and officials who make up one of the largest Masters basketball gathering the sport has staged.
As the sun set over the Corinthian Gulf, teams paraded along the marina behind their flags and in full uniform. This captured the international spirit of an event uniting more than 100 teams from 28 countries coming from all five of FIBA's regions, spanning the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania. Local performers marked the occasion with a show of music and dance, giving the ceremony a distinctly Greek welcome and setting a festive tone for the week of competition ahead.
FIBA Europe President Jose Garbajosa attended the ceremony and addressed the participants, thanking the Hellenic Basketball Federation for hosting the inaugural edition and welcoming the teams to what he called "one of the most beautiful places in Europe". He praised the energy of the parade, telling the crowd they had brought emotion and happiness "above all expectations," and recalled that Greece had also staged the first FIBA 3x3 World Cup in 2012. Looking ahead, he left participants in no doubt that the tournament would return: "It is the first, but it's definitely not going to be the last one."
A recorded message from FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis was also broadcast to those in attendance. Mr. Zagklis welcomed the teams to Corinth and to Greece for what he called a historic event. "This is not just a competition," he said, describing how the FIBA Masters Open brings players over 40 together as one community — whether they arrive from a career of medals and Olympic Games or a lifetime of amateur basketball. He framed the participants as part of the game's global family — "this is you on the global stage" — and revealed that he would join them in person later in the week, alongside members of the FIBA Central Board, one of whom is competing in the tournament. He closed with an invitation that captured the spirit of the event: "Enjoy this experience, and write history with your friends."
Tota Gkolfinopoulou, Deputy CEO of the Hellenic Basketball Federation, host of the event, also addressed the crowd, thanking the teams for making the journey and welcoming them to the Corinth and Attica region.
With the ceremony complete, attention now turns to the courts. Competition tips off across the tournament's venues, running through to the finals and closing celebration on 12 July. Over the days ahead, players from around the world will share the same floors — competing, reconnecting and celebrating a simple idea that sits at the heart of the FIBA Masters Open: the game never ends.