Big time international basketball returns to the North East next year after Great Britain confirmed plans to revisit its popular Newcastle base.

The Vertu Motors Arena has become a home from home for the senior men’s roster with bumper crowds backing the national team on Tyneside.

And with Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles’ playcaller Marc Steutel installed as GB’s permanent head coach earlier this year there’s no better place to launch the 2025 Eurobasket campaign.


“This will be the seventh time we’ve staged a senior men’s international at the Vertu Motors Arena and it’s something we’re very proud of,” said Paul Blake, Managing Director, Newcastle Eagles.

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“Marc, his coaching staff and the players know they’ll be welcomed back with open arms and we do our very best to give them the best experience possible.


“The fans in the North East have proved time and time again that they’re ready to get behind the national team and we’ve had some fantastic nights here.

“As a club we have a great relationship with British Basketball and it’s exciting to see that partnership go from strength to strength.”

Sold-out Vertu Motors Arena crowds have cheered on the national team on six previous occasions since 2019, including last February against Belgium. (Photo and Feature Image: Gary Forster)

The Netherlands visit Newcastle on February 23 as both teams embark on the road to EuroBasket 2025.

GB will bid to qualify from a tough four-team group that includes the Czech Republic and old foes Greece.


Steutel helmed a famous 78-69 win against the Greeks at the Vertu Motors Arena in November 2021 during World Cup qualifying.

The international games bring crowds from across the world to Newcastle’s Vertu Motors Arena. (Photo: Adam Bates)

“The start of this new qualifying campaign brings excitement and enthusiasm for the opportunities that are ahead of us”, said Eagles and GB head coach Steutel.

“We want to ensure we qualify out of this really competitive group and do so in a way which best represents our team and country.

“I am always humbled by the level of dedication and sacrifice we have from the players and staff in our talented group and I am looking forward to this hugely important first window.

“To be able to start our mission in Newcastle, which has hosted some epic GB games in recent years is a welcome boost.

“The Newcastle fans always come out and get behind us and we need their support again in making the Vertu Motors Arena a fortress for the national team.”

Steutel led GB to a historic win against Greece in 2021 at the Vertu Motors Arena. (Photos: GB Basketball)

For now attention turns to a Dutch side bossed by experienced Israeli Arik Shivek and — like GB — looking to bounce back from a disappointing EuroBasket 2022 campaign.

2025’s tournament will be co-hosted by Latvia, Cyprus, Finland and Poland with the world top 20 ranked Greece and the Czech Republic favourites to top GB’s qualifying group.

Just in time for last-minute Christmas presents, tickets for this FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifier are on sale now from the Newcastle Eagles Box Office.

Fans can get an early bird discount of 15% off until the new year when they use the code ‘EARLYGB‘.

Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles Men’s and Women’s British Basketball League season ticket holders get reduced prices when they login to their account. Full details on the box office game page.