Methods and apparatus for event distribution and routing in peer-to-peer overlay networks. A method is provided for event distribution and routing in a peer-to-peer overlay network that comprises a plurality of nodes. The method includes identifying a plurality of buckets on the overlay network, wherein each bucket includes one or more nodes, respectively, identifying bucket groups, wherein each bucket group includes a selected number of buckets, respectively, distributing events based on the bucket groups, and updating a routing table based on the events. A node includes a transceiver and a processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to identify a plurality of buckets on the overlay network, wherein each bucket includes one or more nodes, respectively, identify bucket groups, wherein each bucket group includes a selected number of buckets, respectively, distribute events based on the bucket groups, and update a routing table based on the events.