FIBA Europe Cup 2026-27: Complete Guide To The New Season
The 2026-27 FIBA Europe Cup brings a new format, a larger Regular Season field and more opportunities for clubs to compete on the European stage.
The new campaign features 48 teams in the Regular Season, up from 40 in previous seasons. The clubs have been split into eight groups of six, with the competition moving through a Second Round before reaching the knockout stages.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the 2026-27 FIBA Europe Cup, including the new format, key dates, participating teams, British interest and the clubs to watch during the campaign.
What Is The FIBA Europe Cup?
The FIBA Europe Cup is a European club basketball competition organised by FIBA Europe. Launched in 2015, it has become an established part of the European basketball calendar, providing clubs from across the continent with the chance to compete against international opposition.
The competition is part of FIBA’s European club competition structure and provides a route into European competition for clubs that do not compete in, or do not progress through, the Basketball Champions League.
Clubs can enter the FIBA Europe Cup directly based on their domestic results or their national federation’s position in FIBA’s club competition ranking, while other teams can arrive through the FIBA Europe Cup Qualifiers or the Basketball Champions League qualification pathway.
The competition has featured a mixture of established European clubs and ambitious teams looking to make a name for themselves. It has also provided valuable experience for players competing against different opponents and styles of basketball.
The 2026-27 edition expands the Regular Season to 48 teams, with the additional places creating a wider field and a longer route to the trophy.
How Does The FIBA Europe Cup Work?
The Regular Season consists of 48 teams divided into eight groups of six. Each team plays every other club in its group twice, once at home and once away, giving each team 10 Regular Season games. The top two teams from each group advance to the Second Round.
The 16 teams reaching the Second Round are divided into four groups of four. Again, the teams play each opponent home and away, meaning each club plays six games at this stage. The top two teams in each Second Round group progress to the Quarter-Finals.
The Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Final are all played over two legs. The winner of each tie is determined by the aggregate score across the two games, so there is no single-match Final.
Before the Regular Season, clubs can also compete in the FIBA Europe Cup Qualifiers. For 2026-27, the Qualifiers were played over two legs, with the winners earning Regular Season places. Three qualifying ties ultimately produced Regular Season entrants, while BC Parnu also advanced as the best-ranked losing club after an additional place became available.
The expanded format places a greater emphasis on consistency. Teams must navigate 10 Regular Season games before even reaching the Second Round, making depth, preparation and squad management particularly important.
When Does The FIBA Europe Cup Start?
The 2026-27 FIBA Europe Cup Qualifiers began with first legs on September 23, followed by the second legs on September 30. The full Regular Season field was confirmed after those games.
The Regular Season begins on October 6, 2026. Games are generally played during the week, allowing clubs to continue their domestic league campaigns alongside their European commitments.
The Regular Season and Qualifiers draws were held in Munich, Germany, on July 16, 2026.
The midweek schedule creates a demanding period for clubs, with European travel and games being added to domestic league commitments. Managing player workloads and maintaining consistency over the extended competition will be important.
How Many Teams Are In The FIBA Europe Cup?
There are 48 teams in the 2026-27 FIBA Europe Cup Regular Season. This is an increase from 40 teams in previous seasons and represents the largest Regular Season field in the competition’s history.
The final groups are:
Group A
- Trepca
- Promitheas Patras BC
- BK Opava
- VET-CONCEPT Gladiators Trier
- Split
- Batumi
Group B
- Patrioti Levice
- Filou Oostende
- NHSZ-Szolnoki Olajbanyasz
- FIATC Girona
- Zastal Zielona Gora
- Dinamo Bucuresti
Group C
- Sporting CP
- Rilski Sportist
- Kolossos H Hotels
- Esenler Erokspor
- SCM Universitatea Craiova
- Gence
Group D
- Keravnos
- BC Parnu
- King Szczecin
- SLUC Nancy
- Nitra Blue Wings
- Vienna
Group E
- Petrolina AEK Larnaca
- Fitness First Wurzburg Baskets
- Tartu Ulikool Maks & Moorits
- Iraklis
- Dziki Warszawa
- MZT Skopje Aerodrom
Group F
- Bigbank/Kalev
- Biotekno Korfez Basket
- Bashkimi
- Elan Chalon
- Valmiera Glass VIA
- Manchester Basketball
Group G
- Bakken Bears
- SL Benfica
- Absheron Lions
- Yukatel Denizli Basket
- Lions de Geneve
- Prievidza
Group H
- CSM CSU Raiffeisen Oradea
- Fribourg Olympic
- VEF Riga
- Mykonos
- Lokomotiv Plovdiv
- Neftci
The final line-up changed from the provisional groups announced after the July draw. The changes followed the conclusion of the Basketball Champions League qualification process and the FIBA Europe Cup Qualifiers.
The expanded field gives more clubs the chance to gain European experience and creates a broader mix of teams from different basketball markets.
How Many Games Are In a FIBA Europe Cup Season?
The number of games a club plays depends on how far it progresses and whether it enters through the Qualifiers.
A team that enters directly into the Regular Season and reaches the Final can play up to 22 games in the FIBA Europe Cup:
- 10 Regular Season games
- 6 Second Round games
- 2 Quarter-Final games
- 2 Semi-Final games
- 2 Final games
That total rises to 24 games for a team that has to play two Qualifier games before reaching the Regular Season.
The increased workload is one of the defining features of the 2026-27 season. The Regular Season alone contains 10 games, while successful teams must then navigate another six Second Round games before reaching the knockout phase.
Squad depth, injury management, travel and player rotation could therefore become important factors, particularly for clubs also competing in demanding domestic leagues.
Who Won The FIBA Europe Cup 2026?
Surne Bilbao Basket are the reigning FIBA Europe Cup champions after winning the 2025-26 competition. Bilbao defeated PAOK BC 162-153 on aggregate in the two-legged Final.
PAOK won the first leg 79-73 in Thessaloniki, giving the Greek side a six-point advantage heading into the return fixture. Bilbao responded with an 89-74 victory at home to overturn the deficit and retain the trophy.
The victory made Bilbao the first club to win the FIBA Europe Cup twice and the first team to win consecutive titles. Darrun Hilliard was named Finals MVP after averaging 17.5 points and 3.5 assists across the two legs.
Bilbao do not have the opportunity to become the first three-time FIBA Europe Cup champions in 2026-27, however, because they are competing in the 2026-27 Basketball Champions League after reaching that competition’s Regular Season. The FIBA Europe Cup will therefore have a new champion this season.
Who Are Favourites To Win The FIBA Europe Cup 2026-27?
With Bilbao Basket competing in the Basketball Champions League, there will be a new FIBA Europe Cup champion in 2026-27. That makes the expanded competition particularly open.
Other established clubs worth watching include VEF Riga, Bakken Bears, SL Benfica, CSM CSU Raiffeisen Oradea and Sporting CP.
It is difficult to identify a definitive favourite before the competition has developed. Transfers, injuries, domestic form and the strength of each team’s squad will all influence the title race. The longer group-stage format could also reward teams with greater depth and consistency.
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