Cork will welcome some of Europe’s top wheelchair basketball clubs later this month, as Rebel Wheelers Multi-Sports Club hosts the IWBF EuroCup Group 4 Qualifiers from April 23–26, 2026.
The tournament will see five leading clubs from across Europe compete over four days, with progression on the line in one of the sport’s most competitive international club competitions. For Irish wheelchair basketball, the event represents a significant opportunity to showcase the sport on home soil.
Based in Cork, Rebel Wheelers is an Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) Sport multi-sport club dedicated to creating opportunities for people with physical disabilities through sport. Since its foundation in 2008 by five families, the club has grown to support more than 70 athletes, ranging from children to adults.
The club delivers programmes across wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, para athletics, boccia and a weekly multisport programme, with a strong focus on participation, development and progression. Rebel Wheelers has produced a number of national-level athletes, with members representing Ireland at senior, U23 and U19 level in wheelchair basketball, as well as in European wheelchair rugby competitions.
They remain the only club in Ireland with two adult wheelchair basketball teams, with their senior side securing league and cup titles in each of the past three seasons.
European Competition Comes to Cork
Rebel Wheelers will be joined by four international clubs competing in Group 4:
- Rebel Wheelers (Ireland)
- Megas Alexandros 1994 (Greece)
- Reading Rockets (United Kingdom)
- Sunrise Medical Shooters (Netherlands)
- GDD-Alcoitão (Portugal)
Across two days of round-robin competition, teams will compete in a packed schedule of fixtures.
Tournament Schedule
Friday, April 24
10:00 – Rebel Wheelers vs Megas Alexandros 1994
12:15 – Sunrise Medical Shooters vs Reading Rockets
14:30 – Megas Alexandros 1994 vs GDD-Alcoitão
16:45 – Reading Rockets vs Rebel Wheelers
19:00 – GDD-Alcoitão vs Sunrise Medical Shooters
Saturday, April 25
09:00 – Reading Rockets vs Megas Alexandros 1994
11:15 – Sunrise Medical Shooters vs Rebel Wheelers
13:30 – GDD-Alcoitão vs Reading Rockets
15:45 – Megas Alexandros 1994 vs Sunrise Medical Shooters
18:00 – Rebel Wheelers vs GDD-Alcoitão
Event Details
All matches will take place at Upper Glanmire Community Sports Hall in Cork.
Speaking ahead of the event, Tournament Coordinator Jerry O’Regan highlighted the wider significance of hosting the competition:
“This event represents not just a major sporting occasion for Cork, but also a celebration of inclusion, empowerment and athletic excellence. Rebel Wheelers has always focused on giving young people the opportunity to thrive through sport, and we are honoured to welcome Europe’s finest wheelchair basketball clubs to our home city.”
Hosting the IWBF EuroCup qualifiers marks an important moment for wheelchair basketball in Ireland, reflecting the continued growth of the sport and the strength of clubs like Rebel Wheelers in developing athletes and creating opportunities at all levels.
For further information, contact Rebel Wheelers Multi-Sports Club.
