With the opening jumper at the forefront, Europe’s top teams are preparing to be thrown into a marathon full of tension, twists and turns.
Euroleague is entering a new era, with the participation of 20 teams, which enhances competition and makes it decisive every week. Level is higher than ever, short distances, and competition at each position classification will be relentless.
Nothing is given. The traditional forces They are there but no one can feel safe, as the ‘little’ are now more dangerous, and every away The game is reminiscent of the final. In a year where everything hangs from a … thread, consistency and calm will make the difference.
At the same time, this year’s season has a special symbolism for Greek basketball. With Final Four of 2026 to return to the Athensour country is preparing to be at the center of Europe again, 19 years after organizing it 2007. A historical moment that adds extra interesting and expectationboth for the Greek teams and for the fans who dream of seeing the games that will judge the title again … at home.
The season 2025-26 He promises action, spectacle and anxiety to the finale. One of the first matches in the late September up to Final Fourthe journey begins, and the duels that come will keep us locked up.
In this climate, the Sport-fm.gr presents everything you need to know about this year Euroleague!
The format of the event
Euroleague for the 2025/2026 season is presented with a new format, which now includes 20 groups in the regular season of the championship. The addition of two additional clubs over previous years (from 18 to 20) also involves an increase in racing, which now amount to 38but also of the “devilish days”, which will be 10.
After completing the normal period, the six first of the ranking pass directly to the phase of playoffs. Teams that will finish from 7th to 10th place will compete in play-ins races, from which the last two will be completed.
Playoffs maintain the existing series of rows in three winswhile the four winners will qualify for the Final Four, which will be carried out by the 22 to 24 May 2026. Indeed, this year there will be no small final, which means that the Final Four matches will be three.
The “calendar” of the season
Regular Season
1st race: September 30 – October 1st
2nd race: October 2-3
3rd race: 9-10 October
4th race: 14-15 October
5th race: 16-17 October
6th Racing: October 23-24
7th Racing: October 28-29
8th race: 30-31 October
9th race: November 6-7
10th Racing: November 11-12
11th Racing: November 13-14
12th Racing: November 20-21
13th race: November 25-26
14th Racing: December 4-5
15th Racing: December 11-12
16th Racing: December 16-17
17th Racing: December 18-19
18th Racing: 23, December 26
19th Racing: December 30, January 2nd
20th race: January 6-7
21st Racing: January 8-9
22nd Racing: January 15-16
23rd: January 20-21
24th Racing: January 22-23
25th Racing: January 29-30
26th Racing: February 3-4
27th Racing: 5-6 February
28th Racing: 12-13 February
29th Racing: 26-27 February
30th race: March 5-6
31st Racing: 12-13 March
32nd Racing: March 19-20
33rd race: March 24-25
34th Racing: March 26-27
35th Racing: April 2-3
36th Racing: April 7-8
37th Racing: April 9-10
38th Racing: April 16-17
Play-ins
21 & 24 April
Playoffs
1st match: April 28-29
2nd match: April 30 – May 1st
3rd match: May 5-6
4th match: May 7-8
5th match: 12-13 May
Final Four
May 22-24
The location of the Final Four
The Final Four of the Euroleague returns to Greece. From the vote (8 in favor, 3 against, 2 white) of the organizations of the event “locked” that the top event will be hosted next spring in Athenswhich won the “battle” with Belgrade.
Its renovated seat Panathinaikos Aktor (featuring Glass Floor from last year), which for some time bears the name Telekom Center Athens It will welcome the four best teams of the new season, on the 22-24 of May.
This will be the first Final Four, which will be held in Greece for the first time after the 2007when he was again hosted by the OAKA, with the Panathinaic Zelimir Obradovic lifting the mug by prevailing in the CSKA Moscow final.
This will be the 4th Final Four in Greece, as it has preceded it in Piraeus and the SEF 1993Thessaloniki in Pylea the 2000 and at OAKA the 2007.
Changes to regulations and additions
OR Euroleague announced significant changes to the regulations for the new season. In detail:
-The referees will not warn now before charging technical penalties for inappropriate behavior or flopping. The warnings will continue for situations of delaying the race, shaking the hand near the eyes of a shooter and distraction of a shooter with loud voices, foot hits or applause near his field of vision.
-The coaches will are automatically eliminated If themselves or any registered member of the group sitting on the bench entered the court during a surprise situation. If a coach or member of the bench stops the surprise of an opponent running on the side line or protesting too much, the referees will impose a technical penalty as soon as the phase is over.
At the same time Euroleague includes two new conditions in which the Instant replay:
– Violations eight seconds They can now be examined by the referees in the last 2 minutes of the fourth quarter and the extension if an infringement has been charged. Coaches can challenge anywhere in the race, provided that an 8 -second infringement has been charged.
– the checks foul are now allowed by the referees. The referees, that is, can check the Instant Replay to confirm the right player who made a foul at any time during the race. Foul identity checks cannot be disputed by coaches.
The Returning Associations and the “Rouki”
In this year’s season Euroleaguethe majority of groups remain constant as 17 out of 20 participate For the second consecutive year. However, there are and three new appearances who have taken the eyes.
First and more important, the Hapoel Tel Aviv of Dimitris Itoudiwhich thanks to the conquest of Eurocup secured its first participation in the event. A historic moment for the club, which put on … deeply in the pocket in the summer.
The second new entrance, and perhaps the most discussed, is the Dubai bc. The team from the United Arab Emirates becomes the first outside Europe which will participate in the event, having secured a long -term contract and the signing of large names of European basketball.
Finally, the event returns and the Valenciawho received a Wild Card and comes back to the … big lounges after a year of absence, having now showed one state -of -the -art stadium“RIG ARENA”.
On the other hand, the Berlin will not give the ‘present’ as he left her Euroleague To join the FIBA ​​events, ending its perennial presence at the top level. Sure, it will not … miss many, as it was never particularly competitive.
It is worth it, however 18 In the course of the season. EuroLeague CEO, Paulius Moiyenouna, left open the possibility of excluding the Israeli clubs (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Tel Aviv), specifically stating: ‘Our tactic and approach to such issues were always to We follow What other organizations and other events do.
So we will do this. We will continue to monitor this situation and react accordingly. OR Uefa It’s football. Let’s see how the case will evolve. But obviously, with such a large sports organization To make decisions, it matters how to go with others.
It does not mean that if one gets a decision we will follow immediately but when others begin to react sports organizationsor even if the Uefawe should talk to the clubs. The most important is obviously the safety of teams, players and fans. “
The profiles of 20 groups
Virtu Bologna: Refreshed and improved, it can’t go … worse than last year!
Fenerbahce: Can the European champion make the repeat?
Zalgiris: Refreshed and aimed at returning to post-season
Basconia: with the aim of overcoming a difficult year
Olympiacos: With solid foundations and target again the top
Villerban: For another year … poor relative
Red Star: With Avra ​​Spheropoulos and reinforcement it aims to become … this year’s Dark Horse!
Panathinaikos: Enhanced, complete and ready for … star!
Maccabi Tel Aviv: Radically changed and constantly burst
Armani Milan: With careful additions and target the next step
Valencia: He returned and wants to stay in the Euroleague
Barcelona: Is it through experience, but can she “pierce” her ceiling?
Partisan: With quality moves for the step above
Dubai BC: Rods, expensive and willing to star!
Paris: With significant losses and changed in the new season
Monaco: With Avra ​​Spanoulis and the look at the top
Anadolu Efes: with targeted reinforcement
Hapoel Tel Aviv: Grand Long Ascent
Real: The “Queen” is ready for counterattack
Bayern Munich:… Life after Edward and Waler-Bab and the root lifting
Source: Sport Fm
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
