BEIJING (China) - After three years full of highlights and memorable moments in Singapore, the FIBA Intercontinental Cup is turning a new page, as the event moves to Beijing, China.
The event tips off on September 22, giving us just enough time to introduce the six participating teams.
They will be divided in two groups of three teams. The top two teams will advance to the Semi-Finals (1A vs. 2B, 1B vs. 2A), while the bottom-placed teams from the two groups battle for fifth in the event.
The FIBA Intercontinental Cup will crown its new champion on September 27.
Last three events
Year | Champion | 2nd place | 3rd place | 4th place | 5th place | 6th place |
2023 | Sesi Franca (BRA) | Telekom Baskets Bonn (GER) | Zhejiang Golden Bulls (CHN) | Al Ahly (EGY) | NBA G League Ignite (USA) | Al Manama (BRN) |
2024 | Unicaja (ESP) | NBA G League United (USA) | Tasmania JackJumpers (AUS) | Al Riyadi (LBN) | Petro de Luanda (ANG) | Quimsa (ARG) |
2025 | Unicaja (ESP) | NBA G League United (USA) | Alahli SC (LBA) | Flamengo (BRA) | Illawarra Hawks (AUS) | Utsunomiya Brex (JPN) |
How did they get here?
Less than three million people live in Lithuania. Yet, we're talking about one of the biggest basketball nations in the entire world, with their seven-time champions joining the mix in Beijing, trying to become the second club from the country to win the FIBA Intercontinental Cup.
Zalgiris Kaunas won it in 1986, edging out Ferro Carril Oeste (ARG), Cibona (CRO) and Corinthians (BRA), and 40 years later Rytas Vilnius will try to join their arch rivals on the all-time list.
They are no strangers to international trophies, having won two EuroCups, three Baltic Leagues and one North European League, but the crowning moment came in 2026, as they pulled off a sensational run to lift the Basketball Champions League Europe trophy for the first time.
They finished top of their Regular Season group at 4-2, and then proved that every point counts in the BCL Europe, as they had the best head-to-head record in a three-way tie at 4-2 with Galatasaray and Le Mans Sarthe Basket in the Round of 16 group stage.
In the Quarter-Finals, they swept the perennial Czech champs ERA Nymburk, before celebrating a legendary Final Four run in Badalona, Spain, eliminating La Laguna Tenerife in the Semi-Finals, and erasing what was a 20-point third-quarter deficit in the Final, defeating AEK BC 92-86 in the first ever overtime Final in BCL history.
Rytas clearly have a magnetic field surrounding them when it comes to attracting silverware pieces.
Who are they facing in Beijing?
The BCL Europe champions Rytas Vilnius enter the court on September 22, taking on the RSSB Tigers from Rwanda in a morning game for their fans back home in Vilnius, tipping off at 10:30 am (Lithuanian time).
They get to enjoy a day off on September 23, and return to action on September 24, facing the CBA champions Shanghai Sharks, once again at 10:30 am (Lithuanian time).
Who are the players to watch?
Coach Nedas Pacevicius took over during the summer, and he has a lot of players back from the 2025-26 run, including one of the captains Arturas Gudaitis, a constant double-double option and an elite rim protector with his gigantic 2.11m (6'11'') frame.
Gudaitis is "one of the captains" because Rytas have the fan favorite back in Gytis Radzevicius. The 31-year-old spent six season in a row in Vilnius, before moving to Baskonia in Spain and winning the Spanish Cup. However, once Rytas made the call, he was quick to go back home, doing a bit of everything with his all-round approach to the game.
Kay Bruhnke is there as one of the most entertaining wings in European basketball, capable of shooting and rising high for poster dunks, while players like Matas Jogela, Augustas Marciulionis, Gytis Masiulis and Martynas Paliukenas can all take over in a single game.
The international taste comes from Michael Devoe, Ricky Lindo Jr and Cassius Winston. Devoe had a 41.4 percent campaign from deep in Türkiye last season, and Lindo was even more accurate at 44.4 percent across 30 games in France.
Winston will run the point, with four impressive seasons behind him in Europe already, averaging around 14 points and four assists in each of those quests.
Full roster
Schedule and tickets
You can find the full schedule here. Tickets are available here.