The Euroleague selects its 8 new teams in Italy

The EuroLeague faces one of the decisive moments in its history. The owners of the thirteen shareholder clubs will arrive tomorrow at Lake Como for a meeting that will determine the future of the European competition for the next decade. On Tuesday, the vote will take place that will define which eight new clubs will join starting from the 2027-28 season, transforming the league from sixteen to twenty-four teams.

This expansion process represents an unprecedented structural change in the recent history of continental basketball. The decision is not merely administrative; it involves a redefinition of the competitive model, revenue distribution, and the global positioning of the organization. After months of evaluation, the list of candidates has been narrowed down to thirteen proposals, each with arguments to justify their inclusion in the new era of the competition.

Thirteen candidates for eight spots

The selection process has generated significant anticipation in the European basketball ecosystem. Initially, eleven clubs submitted their candidacy at the end of August. Later, Hapoel Jerusalem and Aris BC joined, raising the total number of applicants to thirteen. This figure reflects the appeal of being part of an expanded EuroLeague, considered the second most important club competition in the world.

The candidates include projects of varying geographical and economic nature. Among them are Red Star (Crvena zvezda) from Belgrade, Partizan also from Belgrade, Virtus Bologna from Italy, Roma Maxima, Napoli Basket, Valencia from Spain, PAOK from Greece, Paris from France, London Lions from the United Kingdom, Hapoel Tel Aviv from Israel, Hapoel Jerusalem, Dubai from the United Arab Emirates, and Aris BC. The geographical diversity of the candidates underscores the EuroLeague’s intention to establish itself as a truly continental competition.

The meeting in Como and the core of the decision

The meeting at Lake Como will not include representatives from the NBA or FIBA. This detail is significant, as the meeting was scheduled prior to the NBA presenting its collaboration proposal. Although topics related to the future of European basketball and the American proposal will be addressed, the central focus of the meeting is exclusively on the expansion and the selection of new franchises.

The owners, or at least the majority of them, will make a decision that will shape the landscape of continental basketball for years. The vote on Tuesday will be decisive and will likely determine not only which clubs join but also how the competitive structure, game formats, and geographical distribution of resources will evolve.

Context of the NBA offer

Although the NBA proposal does not dominate the Como agenda, its presence in the European debate is undeniable. According to various sources, the offer does not constitute a buyout proposal for the EuroLeague, but rather a collaboration initiative whose exact nature remains publicly undisclosed. Neither the NBA nor the European organization has issued official statements regarding the specific terms of what was proposed.

What is known is that, according to market information, the proposal does not seem sufficient to establish any kind of formal collaboration that transcends mere exploratory discussions. With the anticipated start of NBA Europe expected in less than a year, the basketball industry is awaiting to determine whether there will ultimately be a joint competition or if a scenario of two rival leagues operating in parallel in continental Europe will materialize.

Implications of the expansion for European basketball

The expansion to twenty-four teams represents a paradigm shift in the structure of the EuroLeague. Currently, with sixteen clubs, the competition maintains a relatively closed and selective format. The addition of eight new franchises will entail adjustments to schedules, qualification systems, and potentially revenue from broadcasting rights and sponsorship.

From a competitive perspective, the expansion could dilute the average quality of the matches, although it will also open opportunities for emerging markets and cities without current representation. From a commercial perspective, the inclusion of clubs in territories with greater market potential—such as Dubai, Paris, or London—could strengthen the global position of the competition against rival initiatives.

The decision tomorrow will also send clear signals about the strategic direction of the EuroLeague. If established market candidates are prioritized, the competition will reinforce its position in Western Europe. If balanced with emerging projects, the expansion will be truly continental.

Outlook for the 2027-28 season

The incorporation of the eight new franchises will not be immediate. Implementation is planned for the 2027-28 season, providing a transition period of approximately three years. This time frame will allow the new clubs to prepare infrastructure, form their rosters, and adapt to the competitive standards of the EuroLeague.

During this period, the organization will need to define fundamental operational issues: group structure, playoff format, competition calendar, and revenue distribution criteria. Additionally, it will have to manage the integration of new teams without compromising the competitiveness or experience of current club fans.

The vote tomorrow is, in essence, the opening of a new era for European basketball. The owners will take on the responsibility of determining not only who the new members will be but also how the competition will evolve in a context of increasing global competition and shifts in sports content consumption. The EuroLeague positions itself as an organization willing to grow and adapt, although with the prudence of maintaining its competitive foundations intact.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La Euroliga elige sus 8 nuevos equipos en Italia