The Basketball Champions League Season 11 draw has been completed, and the excitement is palpable. This season promises to be a thrilling showcase of European basketball talent, with 30 teams vying for glory in the Regular Season and 24 teams battling it out in the Qualification Round Tournaments. But what makes this season truly special is the potential impact it could have on the future of European basketball. As Basketball Champions League CEO Patrick Comninos noted, this season will feature 10 national league champions, and an astonishing 80% of the 54 teams in the entire draw have reached at least the semi-finals of their domestic championships. This level of competition is a testament to the growth and development of basketball across Europe, and it's an exciting time for fans and players alike.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this season is the Qualification Round Tournaments. These single-elimination tournaments will see 24 teams battle it out to secure their place in the Regular Season. The quarter-finals will feature some mouth-watering matchups, including Patrioti Levice vs. Salon Vilpas, Bakken Bears Aarhus vs. Landstede Hammers, and Fribourg Olympic Basket vs. BC Batumi 2010. The semi-finals will then determine the two teams that will advance to the Regular Season, setting the stage for an intense and competitive season.
The Regular Season will see 32 teams divided into eight groups of four. The top team from each group will advance directly to the Round of 16, while the second- and third-placed teams will move on to the best-of-three Play-Ins in January. This format ensures that the most deserving teams will progress, and it adds an extra layer of excitement to the season. The groups are as follows:
Group A: Nanterre 92 (FRA), Rytas Vilnius (LTU), Sabah BC (AZE), Trabzonspor (TUR)
Group B: Cibona (CRO), Galatasaray MCT Technic (TUR), Legia Warszawa (POL), SIG Strasbourg (FRA)
Group C: AEK BC (GRE), Falco KC Szombathely (HUN), Windrose Giants Antwerp (BEL), QRT1 Winner
Group D: BMA365 Bamberg Baskets (GER), Pallacanestro Varese (ITA), Peristeri Betsson (GRE), UCAM Murcia (ESP)
Group E: BC Juventus Utena (LTU), BK KVIS Pardubice (CZE), Pallacanestro Reggiana (ITA), Unicaja (ESP)
Group F: Cholet Basket (FRA), Hapoel Holon (ISR), Spartak Office Shoes (SRB), QRT2 Winner
Group G: ALBA BERLIN (GER), Igokea m:tel (BIH), Slavia Praha ERA NBK (CZE), Surne Bilbao (ESP)
Group H: Asisa Joventut (ESP), Bnei Penlink Herzliya (ISR), FC Porto (POR), Telekom Baskets Bonn (GER)
The Play-In series and Round of 16 groups will also be determined, with the second- and third-placed teams in adjacent Regular Season groups facing off in best-of-three Play-In series. The winners of each pairing will then be placed in predetermined Round of 16 groups, ensuring a fair and competitive format.
But the real excitement lies in the potential impact of this season on the future of European basketball. As Comninos noted, the Basketball Champions League Season 11 winners and finalists will qualify for the first season of the NBA and FIBA-backed league expected to launch in the fall of 2027. This is a huge step forward for European basketball, and it highlights the potential for growth and development in the sport across the continent. The discussions during the Basketball Champions League Club Workshop also highlighted a shared ambition to create new opportunities for clubs through sporting merit, support sustainable growth across the game, and further strengthen the European basketball ecosystem for generations to come.
In my opinion, this season is a testament to the power of competition and the potential for growth in European basketball. With such a high level of competition and a potential impact on the future of the sport, this season is sure to be an exciting and memorable one for fans and players alike. So, get ready for an intense and thrilling season of basketball, and let's see who will emerge as the champions of the Basketball Champions League Season 11!
