EuroLeague 2026-27 Season Preview: Everything You Need to Know
The 2026-27 EuroLeague season is here, with Europe’s leading club basketball competition bringing together 20 teams for another demanding campaign.
The new season gets under way on 24 September 2026 and will feature 38 rounds of regular-season action before the play-in tournament, playoffs and Final Four determine the champion.
Olympiacos enter the season as defending champions after beating Real Madrid 92-85 in the 2026 Championship Game, while the expanded 20-team field includes BeÅŸiktaÅŸ, Hapoel Tel Aviv and Dubai Basketball among the clubs competing this season.
With that in mind, here’s a clear guide to what to expect this season, from the competition format and participating teams to key dates, the defending champions and the plans for the 2027 Final Four.
What Is EuroLeague Basketball?
EuroLeague Basketball is Europe’s premier men’s club basketball competition. It brings together leading clubs from across the continent in a league-style competition before the postseason determines the European champion.
The 2026-27 competition features 20 teams. Each club plays every other team twice, once at home and once away, creating a 38-game regular season for every team. Once those 38 rounds are complete, the top six teams qualify directly for the playoffs, while teams finishing seventh to 10th enter the Play-In Showdown for the remaining two playoff places.
The playoffs consist of four best-of-five series. The four winners then advance to the Final Four, where two semi-finals and the Championship Game determine the EuroLeague champion. From the 2025-26 season onwards, the Final Four no longer includes a third-place play-off.
The competition plays an important role in the European basketball landscape, attracting leading players and coaches while giving clubs the opportunity to compete against opponents from across the continent. The demanding schedule also means teams must balance EuroLeague fixtures with their domestic competitions throughout the season.
When Does EuroLeague 2026-27 Start?
The 2026-27 EuroLeague season starts on Thursday, 24 September 2026. The regular season will run through 38 rounds, with the final round scheduled for Friday, 16 April 2027.
The opening round begins a long campaign in which every team will play 38 regular-season games. Because the EuroLeague schedule runs alongside domestic league and cup competitions, clubs will have to manage travel, player workloads and squad rotations throughout the season.
The postseason then begins with the Play-In Showdown on 20 and 23 April 2027. The four best-of-five playoff series are scheduled from 27 April to 12 May, before the Final Four takes place later in May.
How Are EuroLeague Teams Selected?
The EuroLeague field is made up through a combination of long-term club licences, associated club agreements, sporting qualification and other places allocated under the competition’s regulations.
For the 2026-27 season, the competition has 20 teams. Some clubs have long-term or licensed places, while others participate through agreements that provide access for a defined period. Hapoel Tel Aviv qualified through the EuroCup, while several other clubs have multi-year agreements with EuroLeague Basketball.
The composition of the competition can therefore change from season to season. For 2026-27, BeÅŸiktaÅŸ joined the field after finishing as EuroCup runners-up, while AS Monaco dropped out of the EuroLeague field.
Who Is Playing In EuroLeague 2026-27?
The 2026-27 EuroLeague features 20 teams from 10 different countries. The confirmed field includes established European powers as well as newer participants such as Dubai Basketball, Hapoel Tel Aviv and BeÅŸiktaÅŸ.
The participating teams are:
- Real Madrid (Spain)
- FC Barcelona (Spain)
- Fenerbahçe Beko Istanbul (Turkey)
- Olympiacos Piraeus (Greece)
- Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (Greece)
- Anadolu Efes Istanbul (Turkey)
- Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel)
- EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (Italy)
- Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain)
- Virtus Bologna (Italy)
- Žalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania)
- Valencia Basket (Spain)
- Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (Serbia)
- Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (Serbia)
- LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (France)
- FC Bayern Munich (Germany)
- Paris Basketball (France)
- Dubai Basketball (United Arab Emirates)
- Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv (Israel)
- BeÅŸiktaÅŸ (Turkey)
Who Won EuroLeague 2026?
Olympiacos Piraeus won the 2026 EuroLeague title, beating Real Madrid 92-85 in the Championship Game at Telekom Center Athens on 24 May 2026. The victory gave Olympiacos its fourth EuroLeague championship and its first title since 2013.
Evan Fournier was named Final Four MVP after helping Olympiacos claim the championship on home soil. The 2026 Final Four also featured Fenerbahçe Beko Istanbul and Valencia Basket alongside Olympiacos and Real Madrid.
Olympiacos therefore begins the 2026-27 season as the defending champion. Real Madrid, meanwhile, enters the new campaign after reaching the 2026 Championship Game, giving the two clubs an immediate storyline to follow when they meet again during the regular season.
How Many Games In a EuroLeague Season?
Under the 20-team format, every club plays 38 regular-season games. Each team faces the other 19 clubs twice, once at home and once away. Across the league, that produces 380 regular-season games before the postseason begins.
The teams finishing first through sixth qualify directly for the playoffs. Teams placed seventh to 10th enter the Play-In Showdown, with the final two playoff places decided through that stage.
The four playoff series are best-of-five, meaning a team needs three wins to advance from each series. A team that reaches the Final Four then plays a semi-final and, if successful, the Championship Game.
As a result, a team that goes all the way without needing the play-in can play up to 55 EuroLeague games: 38 regular-season games, up to 15 playoff games and two Final Four games. A team entering the playoffs through the play-in can play up to 57 games if it needs both play-in games before completing three full best-of-five series and reaching the Championship Game.
How Long Is a EuroLeague Basketball Game?When Does EuroLeague End?
A standard EuroLeague basketball game consists of four 10-minute quarters, giving 40 minutes of regulation playing time. The clock stops for various situations, including fouls, free throws, timeouts and other official stoppages, so the total time from tip-off to the final buzzer is considerably longer than 40 minutes.
If the score is tied after regulation, the teams play a five-minute overtime period. Additional five-minute overtime periods are played if necessary until a winner is determined.
The 2026-27 regular season ends on Friday, 16 April 2027. The Play-In Showdown is scheduled for 20 and 23 April, followed by the best-of-five playoffs from 27 April to 12 May. The Final Four is scheduled for 28-30 May 2027, with the semi-finals on 28 May and the Championship Game on 30 May.
Unlike previous Final Fours, the event will not include a third-place game. Since the 2025-26 season, the Final Four has consisted of two semi-finals and the Championship Game.
Where Is EuroLeague Final Four 2027?
The 2027 EuroLeague Final Four venue has not yet been officially confirmed. Euroleague Basketball has an existing agreement with Abu Dhabi for the 2027 Final Four, but the organisation has said that the event has not yet been made official because of the wider security situation in the region. Euroleague Basketball has also been exploring alternative options.
What is confirmed is the timing: the 2027 Final Four is scheduled for 28-30 May 2027, with the semi-finals on Friday, 28 May and the Championship Game on Sunday, 30 May.
With the schedule in place, attention will turn to the race for the four Final Four places. The eventual host venue will add another element to the build-up as the season progresses.
Who Are The Favourites To Win EuroLeague 2026-27?
Olympiacos begin the season as defending champions after their 92-85 victory over Real Madrid in the 2026 Championship Game. Real Madrid are also coming off a Final Four appearance, while Fenerbahçe and Valencia reached the 2026 Final Four alongside them.
Other established clubs, including Panathinaikos, Barcelona, Fenerbahçe, Anadolu Efes and Maccabi Tel Aviv, will also enter the season with ambitions of reaching the postseason and competing for the championship.
Betting odds are market assessments rather than guarantees of future results and can change as the season develops. Anyone choosing to bet should use a licensed operator, understand the risks involved and only wager amounts they can afford to lose.
Bet on EuroLeague at Bet442
If you choose to bet on EuroLeague basketball, Bet442 provides a platform for following and wagering on sporting events.
Before placing a bet, check the applicable terms, make sure you understand the odds and use only funds you can afford to lose.
Bet442 is licenced and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring a safe and secure betting experience.
Always remember to gamble responsibly by sticking to a strict budget within your means and making use of any responsible gambling tools available.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.