The Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB) has unveiled an ambitious vision for the future of international basketball by officially proposing Madrid as host city for the 2029 FIBA EuroBasket. At the heart of the bid lies a groundbreaking idea: a record-breaking opening game at Santiago Bernabéu.

A spectacular venue for a historic tip-off

According to the FEB’s proposal, the 43rd edition of the Men’s EuroBasket would kick off with a massive opening game at the recently renovated Santiago Bernabéu, which can host up to 78,000 fans. The arena would be transformed into a basketball venue with court-level seating, immersive LED displays, and the full spectacle of a world-class production — aiming to shatter the FIBA attendance record (currently 38,115 set at the Philippine Arena in 2023). Spain’s opening match would likely be against a top contender from their group, setting the tone for what could become one of the most iconic games in FIBA history.

A world-class event plan centered in Madrid

Following the opening spectacle, 15 group-stage matches and the knockout phase starting from the Round of 16 would be hosted at the Movistar Arena, one of the most prestigious venues in Europe. Ranked fourth worldwide by Pollstar Magazine, the venue hosted 207 events in 2023, drawing over a million attendees. Madrid’s candidacy is fully backed by local government and Spain’s High Council for Sports, with a guaranteed budget and an estimated economic impact of €300 million, to be reinvested in basketball development. Teams would stay at the nearby luxury Meliá Castilla Hotel, with over 900 rooms.

The bid also faces serious competition from Athens (OAKA) for the final phase, while Germany, Finland, Lithuania, and Slovenia are vying to host group-stage games. FIBA Europe will announce the host city on May 22 in Riga.

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Legacy, prestige, and sporting ambition

FEB President Elisa Aguilar stated: We want these championships to be a turning point for basketball in Europe and to spark global momentum for our sport. Should Madrid be selected, it would be Spain’s fourth time hosting EuroBasket, after previous editions in 1973, 1997, and 2007. As Madrid increasingly ranks alongside London and Paris as a top European sports capital, the bid positions the city as a global stage for elite competition, combining world-class infrastructure, cultural prestige, and unmatched hospitality — with 92,250 hotel beds, 13,000 of which are five-star.

A tournament for the history books?

The FEB’s strong organizational track record includes the 2014 FIBA Men’s World Cup, 2018 Women’s World Cup, multiple youth tournaments, and EuroBasket Women 2021 — held under difficult pandemic conditions. This history underscores the federation’s capacity to deliver on high-stakes global events. If successful, the 2029 EuroBasket in Madrid could set a new benchmark for basketball events, with its Opening Day at the Bernabéu serving as a bold symbol of vision, innovation, and ambition.

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