EuroCup has proposed a new 32-team format featuring an expanded playoff structure. Under the long-term plan, the competition could eventually offer two qualification spots to the EuroLeague, per BasketNews sources.
The EuroCup is heading toward one of the biggest structural transformations in its history.
According to BasketNews sources, EuroLeague Basketball has presented clubs with a proposed new EuroCup model that would expand the competition to 32 teams, introduce a new playoff format, and establish a long-term licensing system (3+2 years) aimed at improving financial stability, commercial growth, and the overall level of participating organizations, while also creating additional pathways to secure future EuroLeague spots.
How the new format works
The proposal would increase the tournament to 32 teams.
According to sources, the regular season would feature four groups of eight teams playing in a round-robin format.
The top 16 stage would then consist of four groups of four teams, again using a round-robin format.
The playoffs would mark another major change.
Quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals would all be played as best-of-five series, significantly increasing the number of high-level games and home revenue opportunities for clubs.
Under the proposed system, EuroCup would feature between 286 and 293 games across a season consisting of 26 to 29 rounds.
Under the suggested structure, 24 clubs would receive long-term licenses (3+2), while three additional teams would enter through wild cards.
Another five spots would be distributed through domestic leagues, with the highest-ranked teams after the playoffs not participating in the EuroLeague earning the right to join the EuroCup.
If any qualified club refuses participation, the place would be converted into a EuroCup wild card.
More EuroLeague qualification spots
The EuroCup champion would continue to qualify directly for the EuroLeague.
However, once the EuroLeague expands to 24 teams, both the EuroCup champion and finalist would earn promotion to Europe’s top competition, per BasketNews sources.
According to BasketNews sources, EuroCup is also planning a major commercial overhaul.
The competition is expected to introduce a new commercial team focused on maximizing content production, sponsorship opportunities, and overall league revenues.
Long-term license holders would also form the governing board of the EuroCup competition.
The project also includes arena renovation and development support platforms to help clubs improve infrastructure and financial sustainability.
Long-term license requirements
Per sources, the criteria for receiving a long-term EuroCup license (3+2 years) would include a minimum annual budget of €5 million, a minimum arena capacity of 5,000 seats, no debts, and sporting competitiveness, including finishing in the top half of the domestic league standings.
Meanwhile, the general minimum criteria for wild card or domestic league participation would require a minimum budget of €2.5 million and an arena capacity of at least 2,500 seats.
According to BasketNews sources, each participating club would receive a guaranteed minimum payment of €150,000 under the new system.
The deadline for clubs to respond to the proposal is set for June 8.
The table below lists most clubs that have either applied for the EuroCup or been seriously linked to potential participation in the competition for the 2026–27 season, based on BasketNews sources.
BasketNews would like to clarify that this is neither an official nor a complete list of applicants, but rather a projected overview of clubs that, according to sources, are expected to be among the applicants for next season’s competition
If you have anything to add or would like to share information about the teams with us, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].
Team Country BAXI Manresa Spain La Laguna Tenerife Spain Dreamland Gran Canaria Spain Surne Bilbao Basket Spain Basket Girona Spain Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul Turkiye Besiktas Istanbul Turkiye Turk Telekom Ankara Turkiye Aris Midea Thessaloniki Greece PAOK Thessaloniki Greece JL Bourg Basket France Cholet Basket France SIG Strasbourg France Le Mans Sarthe Basket France Umana Reyer Venezia Italy Dolomiti Energia Trento Italy Napoli Basket Italy Rome Italy Bertram Derthona Tortona Italy Veolia Towers Hamburg Germany NINERS Chemnitz Germany ratiopharm ulm Germany Rostock Seawolves Germany Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem Israel Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana Slovenia U-BT Cluj-Napoca Romania Neptunas Klaipeda Lithuania Lietkabelis Panevezys Lithuania BC Siauliai Lithuania WKS Slask Wroclaw Poland Cibona Zagreb Croatia Rigas Zelli Latvia Buducnost VOLI Podgorica Montenegro London Lions United Kingdom
Donatas Urbonas is an award-winning Lithuanian basketball journalist, recognized as the best sports journalist in Lithuania in 2016 and the top basketball journalist in 2018. A Vilnius University journalism graduate, Urbonas has reported on major global sports events, including the Rio 2016 and Paris 2024 Olympics, FIBA World Cups, EuroBaskets, NBA Summer League, and NBA Draft.
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