EBU and FIBA agree four-year broadcast partnership for premium national team basketball events in Europe

OCTOBER 9, 2024

MIES (Switzerland) - Basketball fans across Europe will get unprecedented free-to-air access to premium men’s and women’s national team events with a new broadcast partnership signed by FIBA, basketball’s world governing body, and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

Starting in November 2025, the four-year deal covers the public service television, radio and digital platforms of 19 EBU Members in Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Türkiye and Ukraine.

EBU Members will broadcast every game played by their national teams live and free. For major events, live broadcast rights also include selected Group Stage, Quarter Final and Semi Final match ups - along with the Final.

Members will also contribute expert broadcast services for home games in the qualifier events for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, FIBA EuroBasket 2029, men's and women's Olympic qualifying tournaments and the qualifiers for the FIBA Women's World Cup 2026.

Frank Leenders, FIBA's Media & Marketing Services Director General, said: "This partnership underscores the growing popularity of basketball globally, especially for fans who are passionate about supporting their national teams.

"The expertise and reach of the European Broadcasting Union provide a quality platform to boost basketball in Europe with even more games and more exciting action for existing fans and new audiences."

As part of the agreement, EBU Members will also provide significant marketing and promotion of FIBA events and their national teams.

Adrian Fikentscher, EBU's Director of Acquisitions, Sales and Partnerships, said: "Bringing basketball to wider audiences than ever before across Europe marks a significant step in making the sport more accessible.

"Our strong partnership with FIBA opens an exciting new chapter for basketball and its athletes. With the support of EBU Members, we are committed to ensuring basketball reaches the audiences it deserves."

Negotiated by FIBA Media, the strategic partnership between FIBA and DAZN, this collaboration reflects the growing sporting and cultural importance of national team basketball in Europe. With an impressive track record of bringing together significant audiences for prime-time television already in place, this is set to be extended and enhanced even further with this unprecedented partnership with the EBU.

Information and photo source : FIBA