The Next Chapter: What are the potential changes in EuroLeague? / News - Basketnews.com

In 2026, the EuroLeague might see major changes in its organization. The multi-year licenses of the shareholders clubs will end, and there will be more opportunities to change the competition ecosystem. BasketNews takes a look at some of the changes that might happen in the next few years and how these changes might shape the future of the top European basketball competition.

Credit: FIBA, Christina Pahnke via Getty Image, AFP - Scanpix, Partizan Mozzart Bet/Dragana Stjepanovic Credit FIBA, Christina Pahnke via Getty Image, AFP - Scanpix, Partizan Mozzart Bet/Dragana Stjepanovic

EuroLeague is entering a crucial moment in its season. In a few weeks, we will know the eight teams that will participate in the playoffs, and for the first time, we will witness the Play-In Tournament after the success it had found at the NBA level.

But the play-in is certainly not the only change we will see in the EuroLeague in the months and years to come.

There have been plenty of talks this season of the now imminent entry of a Dubai team into the organization.

The Dubai team is expected to begin its adventure in the EuroCup after the ABA Liga gives its okay to enter a domestic competition.

But the face of Europe's top competition could change even more in the coming years. Indeed, several EuroLeague officials are aiming for an expansion that would involve more teams than the current 18.

Expanding the competition to include more teams, however, would require flexibility that is currently not easy to have, considering that 13 of the 18 teams participating in the EuroLeague hold multi-year licenses.

However, as confirmed by EuroLeague, these licenses will expire at the end of the 2025-2026 season, when the original 10-year agreement that was signed in 2016 with IMG and transformed the EuroLeague format into what we know today will expire.

Therefore, the changes could be numerous because no one will have a guaranteed position anymore, and therefore, the flexibility to make radical changes will be significantly greater.

Between more likely scenarios and others less so, BasketNews tried to envision how the EuroLeague might change in a few years. What might be the future of our favorite competition?

Sign up for our premium membership and access exclusive content Subscribe Not ready to subscribe yet? Unlock this page for only 1€ Unlock (1€)