MUNICH (Germany) - The EuroLeague Women Regular Season has arrived and it promises to be one of the most exciting and spectacular yet as fans return to games.

As well as our guide below to what lies in store, you can also see our Power Rankings, plus 10 of the best signings from the off-season.

Format

After last season was organized in hubs, it's a return to the traditional format for the competition, with two groups of eight clubs for the Regular Season and everybody facing each other home and away. The top four teams from each of the groups will make the Quarter-Finals and play a three-game series to try and make the Final Four, where a champion will be crowned. Clubs finishing 5th and 6th in each pool will switch to the latter stages of EuroCup Women.

You can find the full game schedule here and the competition system here.

Where to follow 

You can watch EuroLeague Women games on EuroLeagueWomen.basketball and FIBA's YouTube channel (this may be subject at times to geographical geo-blocking). You can follow #EuroLeagueWomen on social media across the competition's official channels including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

You can also download the free and recently updated EuroLeague Women app and find out more about this HERE.

Group A 

Defending champions UMMC Ekaterinburg will be the main favorites to lift the trophy in the new campaign once again

Tradition

BLMA (FRA) - The Montpellier club has flitted between both EuroLeague Women and EuroCup Women for much of the past 10-12 years or so. Although last season they did not compete in either competition.
 
MBA Moscow (RUS) - Entering the unknown, this will be a maiden Regular Season appearance for the Russian club, who has spent the last five years playing in EuroCup Women.

Perfumerias Avenida (ESP) - The Spanish side won their first title in 2011 when they caused an upset as big underdogs at the Final Four. Having waited a decade to make the title game again, they lost last season's showpiece game to UMMC but won big praise for their run and performances. 

Umana Reyer (ITA) - They posted their first Regular Season back in 2008-2009 when they won seven games in a row and looked set for glory but then lost five in a row. They have made two EuroCup Women Finals in recent years and head into this campaign as the reigning Italian champions.

UMMC Ekaterinburg (RUS) -The reigning champions are gunning for their fourth title in a row, a feat previously achieved only once in the modern era by their great rivals Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje. It would also be their seventh in total, with UMMC also having the most consistent record in the competition's history at making the Final Four.

KSC Szekszard (HUN) - It was a historic night just under a fortnight ago when the Hungarians sealed a first-ever place in the EuroLeague Women Regular Season. It continued the momentum from them making history earlier this year when they reached the Semi-Finals of EuroCup Women for the first time.

TTT Riga (LAT) - They have the most amazing history if you rewind back past the modern-day era of EuroLeague Women, having been crowned champions 18 times, including spectacular 12 in a row between 1964 and 1975. In more recent times, they have not been able to land silverware but have been regular participants.

ZVVZ USK Praha (CZE) - Crowned champions for the first time in 2015 on a special night in Prague on their own floor, they have made multiple returns to the Final Four ever since under the watchful eye of legendary EuroLeague Women head coach and FIBA Hall of Fame member, Natalia Hejkova.

The trio to watch

Katie-Lou Samuelson was outstanding last year for Perfumerias Avenida Salamanca in leading them to the Final

BLMA (FRA) - Olivia Epoupa is a great pick-up for BLMA and she will provide a spark and her quickness and defense will make life difficult for opposing guards. If she stays away from injury, Ana Dabovic is always a player who loves to do her thing in crunch time and can be a deal-breaker. The experience of Diandra Tchatchouang will also be vital.

MBA Moscow (RUS) - Nina Glonti shot the lights out for Russia at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket so can she continue that momentum? Forward Anastasia Logunova will be a rock and Elena Kirillova is a veteran who was once the FIBA Women's EuroBasket MVP and has seen and done it all before. 

Perfumerias Avenida (ESP) - Katie-Lou Samuelson was one of the best players in the competition last season and regularly led Avenida in games. Spanish guard Maite Cazorla was one of the better players for Spain in her first full international summer at the senior level so she could be influential, while it will be interesting to see if new arrival Maria Fasoula can hit the heights at this level after doing good things with the Greek national team.

Umana Reyer (ITA) - Astou Ndour is one of the most impressive signings from the off-season and the Spanish standout will be the centerpiece of the team. Yvonne Anderson takes to the court as a FIBA Women's EuroBasket winner with Serbia and alongside her, watch out for Francesca Pan who can always put points in the board in a hurry.

UMMC Ekaterinburg (RUS) -Take your pick. Playmaker Courtney Vandersloot makes UMMC tick and has been described by some as 'the head of the snake' while Emma Meesseman is always a class act and Jonquel Jones lands in Russia as the reigning WNBA MVP. 

KSC Szekszard (HUN) - Cyesha Goree and Nikolina Milic form a formidable duo in the paint, while Slovenian ace Zala Friskovec will be looking to drill those three-pointers and get that trademark clenched fist in the air in celebration. 

TTT Riga (LAT) - At both ends of the career spectrum, look out for rising star center Laura Meldere who has torn it up right through the youth levels for Latvia and had part of her basketball education at Reyer Venezia. Meanwhile TTT will benefit from the veteran know-how of Great Britain forward Chantelle Handy and also the legendary Latvian Gunta Basko-Melnbarde who is 41-years old and entering a staggering third decade at the top level.

ZVVZ USK Praha (CZE) - The brilliant do-it-all Alyssa Thomas has consistently been one of the best players in the competition and is back from the serious injury that curtailed last year. Brionna Jones is a towering physical presence, while Teja Oblak can make or create in the backcourt.

Group B 

Fenerbahce will continue their search for a maiden title with Alina Iagupova spearheading the squad

Tradition

Basket Landes (FRA) - It's been a thrilling ride in the last couple of seasons for Basket Landes who have played EuroCup Women regularly since 2011-12, but only recently stepped into EuroLeague Women. They also head into this season having won their maiden French title earlier this year.

Beretta Famila Schio (ITA) - The Italian side has been one of the most consistent Regular Season participants, although had to get through the recent Qualifiers to book an impressive 14th straight campaign in the competition. While they have appeared at a Final Eight, they are yet to make the Final Four. They did win EuroCup Women back in 2008.

Dynamo Kursk (RUS) - EuroCup Women champions in 2012, Kursk made a step up to EuroLeague Women for the start of the 2014-15 season. By 2017 they stood proudly on the top step of the podium having secured their first title. They also made the 2019 Final but lost to UMMC.

Galatasaray (TUR) - Any fan of Galatasaray will remember 2014 forever. It was when their beloved team not only won its first title in the competition, but the first time a Turkish club had clinched the silverware. To make it sweeter, they took down fierce rivals Fenerbahce in the Final. Galatasaray have also won EuroCup Women twice in 2009 and 2018.

Fenerbahce (TUR) - Ever-presents since 2007, Fenerbahce are still dreaming of a first title and nobody has come closer in recent times without actually landing it. They have made multiple Final Fours, including last season, and came closest in 2013, 2014 and 2017 when they made the title game but just fell short.

Spar Girona (ESP) - Playing in EuroLeague Women for the first time back in 2015-16, Girona then stepped out in EuroCup Women for a couple of campaigns before making a return. Last season they made history by reaching the EuroLeague Women Quarter-Final for the first time.

Sopron Basket (HUN) - If Sopron fans thought that making a first Final Four in 2009 was exciting, then fast forward almost a decade later and they were pinching themselves in disbelief as they made their first title game in 2018 and did so on their home floor. They also repeated their Final Four appearance in 2019 and 2021. 

VBW Arka Gdynia (POL) - There is a proud tradition of EuroLeague Women in Gdynia which also used to sometimes host the competition's All-Star games. Fans enjoyed Regular Season action non-stop between 1998 and 2012. VBW Arka brought back that special feeling for 2019-20 but it was an interrupted season due to the pandemic. They also participated last season but could not dig out a win at the hubs.

Trio to watch

Anastasiia Kosu of Dynamo Kursk is one of the most exciting rising stars in the competition

Basket Landes (FRA) - The decision of the legendary Celine Dumerc to postpone her retirement means that incoming rising star Marine Fauthoux will be able to continue her evolution alongside one of the best playmakers there's been in the competition. Meanwhile arriving Australian center Marianna Tolo is a towering figure at both ends of the floor.

Beretta Famila Schio (ITA) - French center Sandrine Gruda continues to be the focal point because of her class and experience, while that is also the case for Giorgia Sottana. The Italian guard can really make this team roll with a good campaign. Latvian winger Kitija Laksa has started on fire with some excellent showings in the Qualifiers and while it might be tough to sustain this all year, she has shown she is someone who can break games open with her shooting skills.

Dynamo Kursk (RUS) - Arike Ogunbowale has an undeniable scoring touch with her one on one play, but may be asked to also show she can ball for the team too. Last season was tough for everyone with some disruptions, but center Eva Lisec was a shining light for sure and she is back. Watch out for the super exciting Russian teenager Anastasiia Kosu who debuted last season and could be ready to begin making an impact.

Galatasaray (TUR) - Debutante Chelsea Dungee is likely to be asked to do big things in her first year in the competition. While that element of the team may be an unknown one, there are no question marks against Tina Krajisnik and Anete Steinberga. They will combine to form one of the toughest frontcourt duos in the competition and that will be the foundation that Galatasaray will surely build their campaign on.

Fenerbahce (TUR) - Alina Iagupova is unstoppable and it's little wonder she has scooped Regular Season MVP accolades for two years in a row. One of the most talented ballers in the women's game she seems to have found a home with Fenerbahce and is lighting it up. Satou Sabally had an excellent debut season last year and will want to build on this, while Amanda Zahui will add depth to the frontcourt, with her extended shooting range adding a new dimension too.

Spar Girona (ESP) - Julia Reisingerova has shown she can be a force in the competition and the Czech center will drop anchor on both ends of the floor. The backcourt offensive production may largely be generated by Swedish guard Frida Eldebrink and there is excitement that Maria Araujo will be back from injury. The forward was named Top Performer for one of the windows last season.

Sopron Basket (HUN) - Jelena Brooks has retired from the Serbian national team but shows no signs of slowing down and that will be to Sopron's benefit. Her compatriot and summer arrival Nevena Jovanovic has started well and can help solidify the defensive side of things as well as offering a three-point presence, while Gabby Williams will be out to replicate her brilliance last season.

VBW Arka Gdynia (POL) - The wings and the frontcourt could be where the Polish champs are able to get it done, since Megan Gustafsson and Ana-Marija Begic look like they could form an interesting partnership. Both will make their debuts in the tournament, while Australian Alice Kunek was superb last season and provides important continuity and leadership in what could be a challenging campaign.

FIBA