EuroLeague 2026-27: the 20 clubs and the road from 38 rounds to the 2027 Final Four

The 20 clubs of the EuroLeague 2026-27, grouped by country

The league is easiest to understand by country. Spain sends Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Baskonia and Valencia Basket. Turkey has Anadolu Efes, Fenerbahçe and, new this year, Beşiktaş. Greece provides Olympiacos and Panathinaikos. Serbia has Crvena Zvezda and Partizan, Italy has Olimpia Milan and Virtus Bologna, France has Paris Basketball and LDLC ASVEL from Villeurbanne, and Israel is represented by Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Tel Aviv. Germany's flag is carried by Bayern Munich, Lithuania's by Žalgiris Kaunas, and Dubai Basketball completes the list as the league's Gulf representative. That adds up to twenty teams from twelve territories, a field that mixes historic powers with newer projects. For a visiting fan, the geography means a season-long choice between Mediterranean weekends, Balkan cauldrons and big-city arenas, and the clubs' very different sizes shape the experience as much as the standings do. This spread is useful when you plan: two or three clubs often sit within easy travel of each other, so a long weekend can include two games.

What is new in the EuroLeague season 2026-27

Two changes stand out. Beşiktaş, from Istanbul, replace AS Monaco in the field, which gives Turkey three clubs. And Paris Basketball hold a one-year wildcard, which means their place is not permanent and that every home game in the capital carries extra importance for the club and its supporters. Monaco, the reigning French domestic champions, are no longer in the competition this season. Elsewhere, the league has continued to mix established names with ambitious newcomers, and the supporting cast of the continental story includes the plan for a new NBA Europe league, which the NBA's deputy commissioner reaffirmed on 20 October 2026 as targeting an October 2027 launch. No cities or clubs have been named for that project, and the EuroLeague owners rejected a first merger offer, so the picture may evolve. The NBA Europe page tracks the developments. Whatever happens off the court, the sporting competition itself remains the main draw for supporters this winter.

Format and key dates of the 2026-27 EuroLeague

The structure is straightforward. Each of the 20 clubs plays the other 19 twice, home and away, for 38 rounds. The season opened on 24 September 2026 and the regular season ends on 16 April 2027. The clubs finishing seventh to tenth enter a Play-In on 20 and 23 April, where they fight for the last two playoff places. The playoffs, in a best-of-five format, are played from 27 April to 12 May. The Final Four follows with semi-finals on Friday 28 May and the final on Sunday 30 May, and in the new three-game format there is no third-place match. The Final Four is expected in Abu Dhabi, at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, but this has not been made official, and a back-up plan is being studied. Our EuroLeague Final Four 2027 guide follows that story in detail. This long regular season gives every club ample time to recover from a bad week, which is why seeding battles often go down to the last rounds.

Marquee fixtures in the EuroLeague 2026-27 calendar

Several matches are already circled. The opening round on 24 September 2026 included Panathinaikos against Paris Basketball. On 20 November, Olympiacos host Real Madrid, a rematch of last year's Final Four final. FC Barcelona face Real Madrid on 3 December, and on 11 December the Athens derby brings Panathinaikos and Olympiacos together. Games like these tend to sell out first, so if one is on your wish list, check the club's ticket page early. Remember that the schedule on any given weekend also depends on domestic league commitments and broadcast slots, so kick-off times can move. If you want a derby without paying a premium for a final, the Athens fixture and the Barcelona-Madrid clash are the clearest examples of the league's rivalries. The calendar will grow as the weeks go by, and the alert will tell you about notable changes. Check for date changes as the season advances, because broadcasters can move kick-offs by a few hours.

French and Spanish clubs in the 2026-27 EuroLeague

For readers in France, the focus is on Paris Basketball and LDLC ASVEL, the two French clubs in the field. Paris are the wildcard side, which gives their season a special edge. ASVEL return to a familiar stage in Villeurbanne. For the domestic picture, see the French Betclic Élite guide. In Spain, the competition features four clubs: Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Baskonia and Valencia Basket, the last of whom are Liga Endesa champions. Real Madrid lost last year's final to Olympiacos after beating Valencia in the semi-final, while Evan Fournier was named MVP of the Final Four. Spanish fans can also read about the Liga Endesa and Copa del Rey. Because both countries have several clubs in the competition, a supporter can often see a EuroLeague night near home without ever boarding a plane, at much lower cost than a major final. Smaller travel distances also mean you can combine a EuroLeague night with a domestic league game on the same trip.

Tickets and budgets for the EuroLeague 2026-27

EuroLeague tickets are sold club by club, not through a single central system. Most clubs offer season tickets first, then put individual matches on sale some weeks before each game, with the biggest fixtures going quickly. The best strategy is to check the home club's own ticket page and to sign up for its mailing list. For sold-out games, recognised resale platforms with a buyer guarantee are a legitimate fallback, but expect prices above face value. As a very rough indication, and not an official grid, a ticket for an ordinary EuroLeague night often costs somewhere between 25 and 120 euros depending on the city and seat, while a weekend trip including flights and accommodation may total 400 to 900 euros. Playoff and Final Four prices are higher. The basketball tickets guide explains buying methods and how to protect yourself. Always compare the all-in total, because delivery and service charges vary between sellers.

Atmosphere in the 2026-27 EuroLeague: Belgrade, Athens, Istanbul and Kaunas

The league's reputation rests on its atmospheres. In Belgrade, Crvena Zvezda and Partizan fill their arenas with noise and flares of colour. In Athens, Panathinaikos and Olympiacos rule a city where basketball is a religion. In Istanbul, Fenerbahçe, Anadolu Efes and now Beşiktaş turn evenings into family spectacles. Kaunas, home of Žalgiris, offers a small-city intensity that visitors remember for years. Spanish arenas in Madrid, Barcelona, Vitoria and Valencia bring a polished, high-level experience, and Italian halls in Milan and Bologna combine tradition with strong local crowds. Choose a city for the club, but also for the weekend: food, history and easy transport matter. Remember to check security guidance, dress for the local weather and arrive early to enjoy the pre-game ritual, which is often half the experience in these cities. If you are a first-time visitor, consider a short city break rather than a hurried same-day trip. Pack a scarf in the club colours if you want to blend in.

EuroLeague 2026-27 FAQ: clubs, format and tickets

The quick answers below cover the most common questions about the competition. The picture is clear on format and dates, less clear on the Final Four venue, and open on prices, which clubs publish individually. We keep to published facts and mark everything else as expected. Whenever a date moves, a venue is confirmed or tickets become available, the free alert at the top of the page sends an email so you can act while there is still choice. For more on specific topics, the related guides on the Final Four, the French and Spanish leagues and the new NBA Europe project are linked in the text, and they are all kept up to date as information arrives from the league and the clubs. We update them as announcements arrive. Each one is written to stand alone, so you can jump straight to the topic that matters to you and ignore the rest of the page if you prefer.

Which clubs play in the EuroLeague 2026-27?

There are twenty clubs: Anadolu Efes, Baskonia, FC Barcelona, Beşiktaş, Crvena Zvezda, Dubai Basketball, Fenerbahçe, Bayern Munich, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, Paris Basketball, Partizan, Real Madrid, Valencia Basket, Virtus Bologna, Žalgiris Kaunas, LDLC ASVEL and Olimpia Milan. Beşiktaş are the new arrival, replacing AS Monaco, and Paris Basketball hold a one-year wildcard. Olympiacos are the defending champions after their Final Four win in Athens in May 2026. The league plays 38 rounds from 24 September 2026 to 16 April 2027, with a Play-In and best-of-five playoffs to follow. If you are choosing a club to watch, consider both the standard of play and the size and reputation of its arena. Rosters change with injuries and mid-season transfers, so check each club's official channels for the current squad. The mix of countries means styles differ: some teams rely on physical defence, others on fast ball movement and three-point shooting.

How does the 2026-27 EuroLeague season end?

After the regular season finishes on 16 April 2027, the teams in seventh to tenth place play the Play-In on 20 and 23 April. The playoffs, best-of-five series, run from 27 April to 12 May. The four winners then go to the Final Four, with semi-finals on Friday 28 May and the final on Sunday 30 May. There is no third-place game, so the weekend is made up of three matches. The location is expected to be Abu Dhabi but is not official, and the league has said it is studying a back-up plan. If you intend to travel, book flexible flights and refundable accommodation until the host is confirmed. The alert will tell you when it is. Qualification for the Final Four will therefore only be known in mid-May, so leave your options open until then. Keep in mind that a best-of-five series rewards the team with home-court advantage, so the final regular-season standings matter more than they might seem at first glance.

How much do EuroLeague 2026-27 tickets cost and where do I buy them?

Tickets are sold by the clubs, so the process and prices vary. Most clubs sell season tickets first, then release single-game tickets in the weeks before a match. As a very approximate indication and not an official price list, a regular game might cost roughly 25 to 120 euros, with playoffs and the Final Four costing more. Always start with the home club's own site. If a game is sold out, use recognised resale platforms with a guarantee and pay with a protected method. Compare the final total including fees before you buy. For a first visit, a mid-week game in a smaller arena often offers the best mix of atmosphere and price. Watch out for restricted-view seats in older halls, which are cheaper but not always a bargain. Arrive early, since entry queues and security checks at popular arenas can be slow on big nights. Keep every receipt until the final whistle.