Today, Special Olympics launches its milestone annual basketball event which organisers promise will be ‘better than ever’.
More than 25,000 players are taking part in European Basketball Week (EBW) across over 35 countries around Europe and Eurasia.
The event, which runs from 25 November to 3 December and is in its 22nd year, encourages national federations, basketball and community clubs to host events which promote this sport for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Activities will include over 250 local, national, international and schools’ basketball competitions—from full-court tournaments to the increasingly popular 3×3 format—and individual contests or clinics for boys, girls and mixed teams.
Better than Ever
Mirek Krogulec, Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Vice President Sport, said, “This year, European Basketball Week will be even better than ever.
“Now that it’s in its 22nd year, it’s growing organically on a local and international level and is a core part of long-term basketball development in Europe.
“The players and coaches are really looking forward to this week—to enjoy the competition, to travel to other cities and to meet their basketball heroes.”
Great examples of basketball clubs that have opened their doors and hearts to Special Olympics over the last decade are Panathinaikos Athens, Zalgiris Kaunas and Red Star Belgrade.
They collaborate through Euroleague Basketball’s One Team programme, not only for EBW but throughout the 2025/2026 season, inviting individuals with intellectual disabilities to regular customised training sessions, to watch the matches and meet the players.
Photo by dedyloy
Partnership
European Basketball Week has been organised since 2004 in partnership with FIBA Europe and since 2019 with FIBA Foundation.
Theren (TJ) Bullock, Head of the FIBA Foundation, said basketball is a powerful tool for inclusion and empowerment.
“Supporting Special Olympics athletes is not just about one week—it’s about creating opportunities year-round for individuals with intellectual disabilities to experience joy, build confidence and connect through the values of our sport,” he added.
He had a powerful message for the athletes taking part in the event, which is supported by EBW partners.
“To every athlete stepping onto the court: you are the heartbeat of this movement,” said Theren.
“Basketball is more than a game—it’s a celebration of unity, courage, and friendship.
“Play with pride, embrace every moment, and know that your passion inspires communities across the globe. Together, we show that sport truly has the power to change lives.”
Euroleague Women’s Teams
This year, there will again be growing numbers of female players taking part in EBW.
Euroleague Women’s teams, which last year celebrated diversity with European Basketball Week 2024, will continue welcoming Special Olympics athletes to their courts throughout EBW 2025 and beyond.
Schools
The event will reach even more schools, through a collaboration between federations and FIBA Hoops4Schools project which introduces basketball to primary schools in engaging and accessible ways, even providing them with equipment and coaching.
The countries with the most participants and events planned for this year’s EBW are Italy and Greece.
Unified Sports Teams
There will also be even more Unified basketball teams taking part, which have athletes with and without intellectual disabilities playing together.
This has been welcomed by Unified partner Amira Nyibong, from Finland.
“This is definitely a good thing as I feel like a lot of people don’t know anything about Unified teams,” said Amira.
“If I tell people that I play Unified basketball, the first reaction is just, ‘What’s that’?
“So, it’s great to have a big event like this, which includes and promotes Unified teams.”
The event’s final day, 3 December, is fittingly also the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
It also takes place just ahead of the first-ever Special Olympics Unified 3×3 Basketball World Cup from 5 to 7 December in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
EBW 2025 activities are kindly supported by partners Toyota Motor Europe, UPS and ON, which focuses on Unified with Refugees events.
Photo by Claire Behan
