When Does USA Basketball Play? 2024 Schedule & Game Dates

By Sarah Miller · August 24, 2047

The USA Basketball men's and women's teams play throughout the year in exhibitions, qualifiers, and major international tournaments; key upcoming events include the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (July) and the Paris 2024 Olympics (July–August), where both teams will compete for gold.

When Do the USA Basketball Teams Play? Key Upcoming Events

The United States national basketball teams—both men's and women's—compete on a rotating schedule that includes exhibition games, FIBA World Cup qualifiers, and global championships like the Olympics. The most anticipated games occur during summer international competitions.

Major Tournaments in 2024

Paris 2024 Olympics: July 26 to August 11, 2024
FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs): July 2–7, 2024
Exhibition Games: July 10–15, 2024 (pre-Olympics)

The U.S. men's team has already qualified for the Olympics as reigning champions, while the women's team secured qualification via the 2022 FIBA Women's World Cup title.

USA Basketball Men's Team Schedule Overview

The U.S. Men's National Team, managed by USA Basketball, participates in elite competitions every two to four years. In non-Olympic years, rosters are often younger or developmental, but Olympic cycles feature NBA stars.

Recent and Future Competition Timeline

2023: No major senior tournament; focus on youth development and internal training
2024: Paris Olympics with group stage games starting July 27
2025: FIBA AmeriCup Qualifiers (dates TBA)
2027: FIBA Basketball World Cup (hosted by Qatar)

Tournament	Year	Dates	Location	USA Participation Status
Olympic Games	2024	Jul 27 – Aug 11	Paris, France	Qualified
FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament	2024	Jul 2 – Jul 7	Greece, Spain, Latvia, Puerto Rico	Not Required
FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying	2024	Feb 8 – Feb 11	Belgium, China, Hungary, Japan	Qualified (via 2022 World Cup)
FIBA Basketball World Cup	2023	Aug 25 – Sep 10	Philippines, Japan, Indonesia	Participated (Finished 4th)
Olympic Games	2020*	Jul 25 – Aug 7, 2021	Tokyo, Japan	Gold Medal
FIBA AmeriCup	2022	Sept 2–11	Recife, Brazil	Withdrew (sent developmental team)

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The table shows that the USA Basketball teams primarily compete in Olympic and FIBA World Cup cycles. The men's team skipped the 2022 AmeriCup, signaling prioritization of Olympics over regional tournaments. Both teams have secured spots in Paris 2024, reducing need for OQT participation.

USA Basketball Women's Team Game Schedule

The U.S. Women's National Team is the most dominant force in international basketball, having won seven of the last eight Olympic gold medals.

Key Dates for 2024

Pre-Olympic Exhibition Games: June 2024 (exact dates pending)
Paris 2024 Group Stage: Begins July 29, 2024
Quarterfinals and Beyond: August 3–11, 2024

The team will be led by veteran players such as Breanna Stewart and A'ja Wilson, aiming for their eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal.

How to Watch USA Basketball Games

Games are broadcast globally through official partners:

United States: NBC, USA Network, Peacock streaming
International: Eurosport, ESPN International, FIBA YouTube (for non-exclusive games)
Live Streaming: fuboTV, Sling TV, NBCSports.com (authentication required)

All Olympic basketball games will be available live and on-demand via NBC platforms during the 2024 Summer Games.

Frequently Asked Questions About USA Basketball Schedules

When does the USA basketball team play in the 2024 Olympics?

The U.S. men's team begins Olympic group play on July 27, 2024, against Serbia. The women's team starts on July 29, 2024, versus Zambia. Both teams will play three group stage games, with knockout rounds beginning August 3.

Where can I find the official USA Basketball game schedule?

The official schedule is published on usabasketball.com. Updates for Olympic games will also appear on olympics.com closer to the event.

Do the USA basketball teams play outside of the Olympics?

Yes. Outside Olympic years, the teams participate in FIBA World Cup (every four years), exhibition tours, and regional qualifying windows. However, top-tier NBA and WNBA players typically only join during summer global events.

Why didn't the USA men's team play in the 2022 AmeriCup?

The USA Basketball organization chose not to send its senior team to the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup, instead fielding a developmental squad due to scheduling conflicts and player availability during the NBA offseason.

How often does the USA basketball team compete?

The senior national teams compete in major tournaments every four years (Olympics and FIBA World Cup). Additional games include pre-tournament exhibitions and occasional qualifiers, averaging 6–10 games per cycle.