European Basketball Shockwave: EuroCup Awards Five-Year Licenses, Monaco Leads Participant List!

Following approval from the ECA (Euroleague Commercial Assets) Board, the competition will expand both its number of participating clubs and its format. Thirty-two teams will be divided into four groups of eight, with 16 teams advancing to the playoffs. The playoffs will consist of the Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals, with all series played in a best-of-three format.

This expansion comes in response to the immense interest shown by clubs across Europe, who recognize the EuroCup as a competition that promotes stability, encourages investment, and supports long-term planning among participating clubs, while simultaneously providing a high-quality framework for top-tier competition.

Should a club secure a special wildcard invitation to the EuroLeague, thereby vacating its spot in the EuroCup, the newly opened position will also be filled from the pool of clubs that have submitted the necessary documentation.

The list of participants includes representatives from 16 different countries and territories. Italy leads with five clubs: Trento, Venice, Tortona, Napoli Basket, and Rome. Germany and Turkey follow with four representatives each.

The complete list of teams for the 2026/27 EuroCup season will be presented to the next ECA Board for formal approval, and subsequently submitted to the General Assembly for ratification.

As a result of this expansion, competitions under the Euroleague umbrella will feature a total of 52 teams – 20 in the EuroLeague and 32 in the EuroCup – showcasing the premier quality of club basketball on the continent.

The full list of participants includes: Aris, Monaco, Bahçeşehir, Tortona, Beşiktaş, Budućnost, Cedevita Olimpija, Bourg, Trento, Hapoel Jerusalem, Tenerife, Le Mans, Lietkabelis, London Lions, Neptunas, Chemnitz, PAOK, Ulm, Frankfurt, Turk Telekom, Cluj, Venice, Balkan Botevgrad, Roma, Manresa, Napoli, Riga, Rostock, Sijaluai, Śląsk Wrocław, Tofaş, and one wildcard participant.

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