When Are the Basketball Olympics? Paris 2024 Dates & Schedule

By Sarah Miller · November 8, 2025

The basketball Olympics will take place during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, scheduled from July 27 to August 11, 2024. Both the men's and women's tournaments will feature 12 national teams competing for gold at venues including the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille, France.

When Are the Basketball Olympics?

The next Olympic basketball tournaments are set for the summer of 2024 as part of the Paris Games. Here’s what fans need to know:

Dates: July 27 – August 11, 2024
Location: Paris, France (games held at Pierre Mauroy Stadium, Lille)
Events: Men’s and Women’s 5x5 Basketball
3x3 Basketball: Also included, played in urban courts at Place de la Concorde
Gold Medal Games: August 10 (women), August 11 (men)

Olympic Basketball Format Explained

How the Tournament Works

The Olympic basketball competition features 12 teams per gender, divided into three groups of four. The top two teams from each group and the two best third-place teams advance to the knockout stage.

Key Stages

Group Stage: Round-robin play within groups
Quarterfinals: Single-elimination begins
Semifinals & Finals: Medals determined through knockout rounds

Paris 2024 Basketball Schedule Highlights

While exact game times will be finalized closer to the event, the overall timeline is confirmed by the International Olympic Committee and FIBA.

Event	Dates	Venue	Teams
Men's Basketball	July 27 – Aug 11, 2024	Pierre Mauroy Stadium, Lille	12 nations
Women's Basketball	July 28 – Aug 10, 2024	Pierre Mauroy Stadium, Lille	12 nations
3x3 Men's	July 30 – Aug 5, 2024	Place de la Concorde, Paris	8 nations
3x3 Women's	July 30 – Aug 5, 2024	Place de la Concorde, Paris	8 nations

Table data source:1, 2

The table shows that traditional 5x5 basketball events span nearly two weeks, while 3x3 tournaments are compact and held in central Paris. This scheduling allows global audiences to engage with both formats across different venues and fan zones.

Qualification Process for Olympic Basketball

National teams earn spots through a multi-stage qualification system managed by FIBA and the IOC.

How Teams Qualify

FIBA World Cup 2023: Top 7 teams (excluding hosts) secured early berths
Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs): 24 teams competed in April 2024 across four locations for 8 remaining spots
Host Nation: France automatically qualified in both men’s and women’s events
Continental Champions: In some cases, regional titles grant OQT access

Top Contenders for Gold in 2024

Based on FIBA rankings and recent international performance, several nations are poised to challenge for medals.

Men’s Favorites: USA, France, Canada, Serbia, Australia
Women’s Favorites: USA, France, Australia, Belgium, China
Dark Horses: Slovenia (men), Nigeria (women), Germany (men)

The U.S. remains dominant in women’s basketball with seven consecutive golds, while the men’s team seeks redemption after a bronze in Tokyo 2020.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Basketball Olympics

When are the basketball games at the 2024 Olympics?

Basketball games begin on July 27, 2024, with the men’s tournament, followed by the women’s on July 28. The finals are scheduled for August 10 (women) and August 11 (men).

Where will the Olympic basketball games be played?

All 5x5 basketball games will be held at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille, France, approximately 200 km north of Paris. The 3x3 events will take place at Place de la Concorde in central Paris.

How many teams compete in Olympic basketball?

There are 12 teams in both the men’s and women’s 5x5 tournaments. For 3x3 basketball, 8 teams per gender qualify based on FIBA rankings and qualifying tournaments.

Has the USA qualified for the 2024 Olympic basketball tournament?

Yes, the United States qualified automatically by winning gold at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Both the U.S. men’s and women’s teams have strong rosters expected to contend for gold in Paris.

What is the difference between 5x5 and 3x3 Olympic basketball?

5x5 is traditional full-court basketball with five players per side, played in four 10-minute quarters. 3x3 features three players per team on a half-court, with games lasting 10 minutes or first to 21 points. 3x3 emphasizes speed and scoring, introduced in Tokyo 2020 and growing in popularity.