The Euroleague announces expansion to 24 teams in the 2027/28 season

The Euroleague continues its competitive transformation process with a historic decision that will modify the landscape of continental basketball. The official statement from the European competition confirms that starting from the 2027/28 season, 24 teams will participate in the top category, thus consolidating a structure that reinforces the expansion project announced months ago.

Of the 21 franchises that will be part of the competition in the specified timeframe, 13 correspond to current shareholders who maintain their privileged position. The remaining eight spots will be allocated by the Euroleague among the candidates who have submitted their application and meet the established requirements to become permanent members of the European elite.

Candidates vying for the eight spots

The interest generated by this expansion opportunity has been considerable. More than twenty teams have expressed their desire to be part of this new structure, although only eleven have remained in the active candidacy phase. Four additional clubs have been placed on a waiting list, pending future opportunities for incorporation.

Among the eleven teams directly competing for one of the eight available spots are some of the most relevant names in European basketball. The list includes Crvena zvezda, Dubai, Hapoel Tel Aviv, London Lions, Napoli Basket, PAOK, Paris Saint-Germain, Partizan Belgrade, Roma Máxima, Valencia, and Virtus Bologna. Each of these clubs has presented a sports and economic project that justifies their aspiration to be part of the Euroleague's permanent structure.

Significant investment for new members

The cost of joining the Euroleague as a franchise represents a considerable investment. According to the provided data, each club must assume an investment of around 80 million euros. This figure reflects the value that the competition places on its members and the importance of the financial commitment required to ensure the viability and competitiveness of the new projects.

The magnitude of this investment indicates that the Euroleague seeks to consolidate solid structures committed in the long term. It is not only about incorporating new teams but ensuring that the selected candidates have the necessary resources to compete at the highest level and contribute to the development of the competition.

Discarded teams and waiting list

Although the number of interested candidates was high, the selection has been restrictive. Besiktas, Aris, and Hapoel Jerusalem expressed great interest in the initiative but were not included among the eleven finalists. These clubs will have to wait for future expansion phases for a new opportunity to join the Euroleague's permanent structure.

The decision to keep these teams out of the current process does not mean a definitive rejection but responds to specific selection criteria. The Euroleague has established a clear timeline for future incorporations, allowing these clubs to maintain their aspirations to be part of the competition in upcoming stages.

Announcement of winners in September

The schedule for announcing the names of the eight selected teams is defined. The final decision will be announced at the end of September, coinciding with the start of the new Euroleague season. This timing allows the winning clubs to begin their preparation for integrating into the competition for the 2027/28 season.

The selection process has included exhaustive evaluations of each candidacy, considering sports, financial, infrastructural, and strategic projection aspects. The Euroleague has prioritized ensuring that the new members contribute positively to strengthening the competition and to the development of basketball in Europe in general.

This expansion represents a significant milestone in the recent history of the Euroleague, consolidating its position as a world reference competition and broadening its geographical and competitive scope. The incorporation of new teams, especially from cities and regions with a basketball tradition, will enrich the competition and offer new opportunities for the development of the sport in Europe.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La Euroliga anuncia expansión a 24 equipos en la 2027/28