Debrecen4U August 26, 2026

Debrecen Gearing Up for Five Days of International 3×3 Basketball Action in Kossuth Square

Following the Carnival events, Debrecen will once again host international 3×3 basketball tournaments from 26 to 30 August 2026.

This year marks the 12th edition of the basketball fiesta, which will once again feature three competitions in the arena set up in front of the Great Reformed Church. Alongside the prize-money tournaments for women’s and men’s teams, the programme will once again include the U21 Nations League.

As has become customary over the past decade, Debrecen will transform into the capital of 3×3 basketball between the Flower Carnival and the start of the school year in September.

The action gets under way on Wednesday, 26 August, with the U21 Nations League, when the crowd will also be able to cheer on Hungary’s age-group national teams. Three consecutive one-day tournaments will be held in the arena in Kossuth Square, with Hungary facing the Netherlands, Poland, Ukraine, Austria and Ireland. The first three rounds of the series were held in Szolnok in early August, where the men’s team coached by József Lekli won two bronze medals, while Andrea Károlyi’s women’s side picked up a silver.

On Thursday, 27 August, the women’s prize-money competition, the Women’s Series, will also get under way alongside the Nations League. Both the Hungarian national team and Team Debrecen will take part. The home sides will face a tough challenge, as another exceptionally strong field will gather in the cívis city. The line-up includes the Netherlands, ranked second in the world, Beijing, ranked third, Bucharest, who have already won two tournaments, and Olympic silver medallists Spain. With almost USD 50,000 in total prize money on offer, there will also be fierce competition for valuable ranking points, with only two events remaining before the grand final in Beijing in September.

Both competitions will crown their winners on Friday, 28 August, meaning the weekend will be devoted entirely to the World Tour Masters. There will also be Hungarian representation in the men’s prize-money competition, with the Hungarian national team once again competing as Team Debrecen. Balázs Kelemen, Dániel Komma and Mátyás Molnár will be joined once again by the legend of the discipline, Tamás Ivosev, who previously also played for DEAC.

The Hungarians have been drawn in a group with Miami and Toulouse, whose squads are built around the United States and French national teams respectively, making progression from the group a major achievement. One of the strongest fields in the history of the Debrecen Masters will assemble for the 2026 edition, with eight of the world’s top ten ranked players taking part. A host of Olympic, World and European champions will also take to the court in front of the Great Reformed Church.

Alongside the free-to-watch matches, the organisers have once again prepared a packed programme and an authentic 3×3 atmosphere. Numerous food trucks will be on site for fans, while the matches can also be followed on a giant screen alongside the grandstand, which has capacity for almost 1,000 spectators. During breaks and between matches, the crowd will be entertained by events including a dunk contest, three-point shooting contest, prize draws and other spectacular activities. The fast-paced matches, DJs, proximity to the crowd and unique street-basketball atmosphere combine to create an experience that few other sporting events can match.

The 25 August press conference announcing the event was attended by Diána Széles, deputy mayor of Debrecen; István Becsky, chairman of the organising committee; and Kata Halmágyi and Bulcsú Majos, members of Hungary’s U21 national teams. According to Diána Széles, “3×3 basketball is at home in Debrecen. We have been hosting world-class competitions with FIBA and the Hungarian Basketball Federation for more than a decade, and the arena in front of the Great Reformed Church has now become a brand in its own right. The basketball world knows that taking to the court in Debrecen is a special experience.”

Programme:

26 August – U21 Nations League, Round 4

4:20pm Hungary – Ireland (women)
4:45pm Hungary – Austria (men)
6:10pm Netherlands – Hungary (women)
6:35pm Netherlands – Hungary (men)
8:00pm women’s final
8:25pm men’s final

27 August – U21 Nations League, Round 5

10:50am Hungary – Ireland (women)
11:15am Hungary – Austria (men)
12:40pm Poland – Hungary (women)
1:05pm Poland – Hungary (men)
2:30pm women’s final
2:55pm men’s final

28 August – U21 Nations League, Round 6

1:30pm Hungary – Austria (women)
1:55pm Hungary – Ireland (men)
3:20pm Poland – Hungary (women)
3:45pm Poland – Hungary (men)
4:20pm women’s final
4:45pm men’s final

27–28 August – Women’s Series

27 August
3:45pm Beijing – Debrecen
5:00pm Netherlands – Hungary
7:25pm Spain – Debrecen
8:40pm Czech Republic – Hungary

28 August
5:45pm quarter-finals
7:35pm semi-finals
8:50pm final

29–30 August – World Tour Masters

29 August
11:55am qualifying
4:10pm group matches
5:00pm Miami – Debrecen
8:40pm Toulouse – Debrecen

30 August
5:00pm quarter-finals
7:35pm semi-finals
9:10pm finals

Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu