CSKA negotiates its return to the EuroLeague starting from the 2027-28 season
CSKA Moscow could rejoin the EuroLeague in the 2027-28 season, as confirmed by Russian Match TV. Although there are no formal restrictions preventing their participation, the club faces significant geopolitical and logistical obstacles to make their return to the continental competition.
The Euroleague opens the door to a possible return of CSKA Moscow after years of exclusion. As reported on Wednesday by the Russian channel Match TV, the Moscow team could compete in the top European competition starting from the 2027-28 season, in an operation that would require resolving complex administrative, political, and logistical obstacles. The news represents a significant shift in the landscape of continental basketball, although the path to the reintegration of the legendary Russian club is far from assured.
CSKA has been absent from European courts since February 2022 when Russia's invasion of Ukraine led to its exclusion from the competition. During these years of suspension, the Moscow institution has maintained its domestic activity in the VTB United League while retaining its status as a shareholder and stakeholder in EuroLeague Basketball, which has allowed it to maintain a certain influence on the organization's decisions.
A History of Interrupted Excellence
CSKA is one of the historical powerhouses of European basketball. The club has won eight continental championships and has made eighteen appearances in the Final Four since the turn of the century, establishing itself as one of the most successful institutions in the Euroleague. Its exclusion had a considerable impact on the competition, losing one of its top competitive and media references.
The initial decision to sideline the Russian team aligned with the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee, which set general guidelines for sports in the context of the conflict. However, the recent change in the IOC's stance, temporarily lifting the suspension on Russian organizations, has created a legal window for CSKA to seek readmission to competition. This modification in international guidelines forms the legal basis supporting the possibility of the return.
Formal Restrictions and Administrative Feasibility
According to information released by Match TV, there are no formal restrictions preventing CSKA from participating in the Euroleague during the 2027-28 season. This confirmation suggests that, from an administrative and regulatory standpoint, the door remains open for the Moscow club's reintegration. The fact that CSKA continues to be a shareholder of EuroLeague Basketball strengthens its legal position to request the reinstatement of its participant status.
However, administrative feasibility clashes with political and logistical obstacles that threaten to complicate, if not prevent, the return of the Russian team. The Euroleague has experienced deep internal divisions regarding the acceptance of Russian organizations. Several members of the competition hold opposing positions to the reintegration of teams from Russia, reflecting the geopolitical tensions running through the European continent.
The Logistical Challenge of Home Games
One of the most concrete obstacles lies in the practical impossibility of playing games in Russian territory. It is likely that CSKA's home games in Russia will be strictly prohibited, both for security reasons and political pressures. This geographical restriction poses a fundamental problem for any team in a continental league: the need for an operational venue for domestic games.
To address this dilemma, Euroleague officials are considering the use of neutral arenas in alternative territories. Serbia and Turkey have emerged as the main options to host CSKA's designated home matches. Both countries have modern basketball infrastructures and experience in organizing continental events, making them viable candidates to serve as temporary venues for the Moscow team.
The neutral arena solution, while logistically complex, would allow CSKA to play their domestic games without violating territorial restrictions. However, this setup would entail additional costs, organizational difficulties, and the loss of the competitive advantage of playing in front of their home fans in the usual stadium.
Geopolitical Friction and Institutional Complexity
Beyond the technical and administrative aspects, the geopolitical reality forms the backdrop of any decision on CSKA's return to the Euroleague. The international context remains characterized by deep tensions that affect all European sports institutions. Divergent institutional opinions within the competition reflect these fractures, with some members advocating for reintegration and others strongly opposing.
CSKA's administrative status, ensuring its seat at the decision-making table as a shareholder, does not guarantee approval of its competitive return. Navigating the path back to the Euroleague will necessarily be highly complex, requiring consensus among institutions with differing interests and opposing political perspectives. The 2027-28 season provides a timeframe allowing some margin for the evolution of these dynamics, but also underscores that the reintegration process will be gradual and subject to multiple external factors.
CSKA's future in the top European competition remains uncertain, pending resolutions that go beyond purely sporting matters. The possibility of its return exists, but its realization will depend on how international guidelines and internal Euroleague positions evolve in the coming years.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El CSKA negocia su regreso a la Euroliga desde la temporada 2027-28