EuroLeague 2026-27: Complete Schedule and Derbies
The Euroleague has published the full schedule for the 2026-27 season, allowing fans to plan a new elite basketball campaign. With 380 regular season games spread over 38 matchdays, the competition starts on September 24 with highly relevant fixtures.
The format of the EuroLeague maintains its structure from previous seasons: 20 teams compete in a round-robin format over 38 matchdays of the regular season. Once this phase is completed, the Play-In Showdown will determine the final two spots for the playoffs, completing a tournament that culminates with the 2027 Final Four, where the European champion will be crowned.
The most notable novelty is the return of Besiktas Istanbul to the competition, replacing AS Monaco. The Turkish club starts its new chapter in the EuroLeague by hosting Valencia Basket on Friday, September 25, in a match marking the beginning of a new era for the Istanbul institution.
A High-Quality Opening Matchday
The regular season kicks off on Thursday, September 24, with six highly anticipated matchups. Dubai Basketball hosts Real Madrid in a game that puts the spotlight on the Whites from day one. Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv debuts at home against FC Bayern Munich, while FC Barcelona welcomes Anadolu Efes Istanbul in a clash between two continental powerhouses.
The defending champions, Olympiacos Piraeus, start their title defense as visitors against Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz. The opening matchday also features matchups between Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade and Zalgiris Kaunas, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne against Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv, and Panathinaikos Athens facing Paris Basketball. To close out the first Friday night matchday, Fenerbahçe Istanbul takes on Virtus Bologna, and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade visits Armani Olimpia Milan.
Derbies Distributed Throughout the Season
The most intense rivalries in European basketball are strategically scheduled throughout the season. The seventh matchday, on October 22, sees the first Turkish derby of the season as Anadolu Efes and Besiktas face off for the first time. On the same day, Partizan and Crvena Zvezda engage in the first Serbian derby of the campaign, two matchups that generate great anticipation among fans.
The first Israeli derby of the EuroLeague arrives on matchday 11, on November 12, as Hapoel and Maccabi clash in a duel that epitomizes Israeli basketball's utmost rivalry at the continental level. These fixtures are key moments that capture media attention and create a unique atmosphere on European courts.
Classics and 2026 Final Rematch
The 2026 final rematch takes place on matchday 13, on November 20, when Olympiacos hosts Real Madrid. This match presents an opportunity for the Madrid side to seek revenge against the reigning champions on their home turf, a game that will be a turning point in the season.
The Spanish Clásico returns on matchday 15, on December 3, as Barcelona and Real Madrid reignite their historic rivalry. This showdown is one of the most anticipated on the calendar, pitting two European basketball giants against each other in a battle for supremacy. Subsequently, the Greek derby between Panathinaikos and Olympiacos takes center stage on matchday 16, on December 11, another clash that generates significant interest across the continent.
Season and Postseason Schedule
The regular season runs from Thursday, September 24, until Friday, April 16, concluding with matchday 38. The final standings from this phase determine which six teams advance directly to the playoffs and which four will participate in the Play-In Showdown, a system that adds competitiveness until the final matchdays.
The Play-In Showdown games are scheduled for April 20 and 23, offering a final chance for teams vying to enter the playoff round. The best-of-five playoff series will be played from April 27 to May 12. The Final Four, the highlight of the competition, consists of the semifinals on May 28 and the final on May 30, where the European champion will be decided.
With 20 teams and 38 regular-season matchdays, fans can enjoy 380 games before the postseason begins. Each match gains significance in the battle for reaching the Final Four and the opportunity to claim the top prize in European basketball, making this season another memorable adventure in EuroLeague history.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Euroliga 2026-27: calendario completo y derbis
