MUNICH (Germany) - The 12th edition of the FIBA Europe Cup is almost here, with the Regular Season getting underway in October.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of another action-packed season.
What is FIBA Europe Cup?
Launched in 2015, the FIBA Europe Cup has quickly become a key stage for clubs looking to make their mark in European basketball.
More than 100 clubs from nearly 40 nations have competed since its inaugural season, with nine different winners lifting the trophy across the 10 completed campaigns.
And, it’s not just established stars who have shone. The FIBA Europe Cup has also given some of the game’s brightest young talents a platform to take their first steps on the European stage.
Alperen Sengun, TJ Shorts and Pat Beverley are just some of the stars to have graced the competition.
Who is playing?
24 clubs entered the Regular Season directly - either as national champions or based on National Federations' positions in the Club Competition ranking.
At least three clubs will join from the FIBA Europe Cup Qualifiers, while up to 21 teams join from the Basketball Champions League Qualifiers.
There will be a total of 48 clubs in the Regular Season - an increase from 40 in previous seasons.
What is the competition format?
The teams have been split into eight groups of six teams, with some clubs provisionally placed depending on the outcome of the BCL Qualifiers.
Each team will face the other team in their group home-and-away, and the top two teams from each group will advance to the Second Round - consisting of four teams in four groups.
Once more, the top two in each group advance to the Play-Offs, with the Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Finals all played in a two-legged format.
When does the season start?
The Qualifiers get underway with the first legs taking place on Wednesday, September 23, before the reverse fixtures are played on Wednesday, September 30 - when the full 48-team field will be confirmed.
The Regular Season is then set to commence on Tuesday, October 6, with the full slate to be confirmed. Games are played in midweek throughout the season.
You can find the schedule, here.
Who are the reigning champions?
Surne Bilbao Basket became the first side to win back-to-back FIBA Europe Cup titles by beating PAOK BC in a rematch of the 2025 Final.
In an exciting showpiece, Bilbao dropped the first leg 79-73, before fighting back to win the second leg 89-74 to complete a 162-153 triumph.
Darrun Hilliard earned the Finals MVP accolade with averages of 17.5 points and 3.5 assists across the two legs, including 16 points and 5 assists in the second leg.
Champions wall
Here is the list of champions, along with the Finals MVP winners.
Year | Champions | Runners-up | Finals MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
2016 | Fraport Skyliners (GER) | Varese (ITA) | Quantez Robinson |
2017 | Nanterre 92 (FRA) | Elan Chalon (FRA) | - |
2018 | Reyer Venezia (ITA) | Sidigas Avellino (ITA) | - |
2019 | Banco di Sardegna Sassari (ITA) | s.Oliver Wurzburg (GER) | - |
2020 | Season cancelled | - | - |
2021 | Ironi Nes Ziona (ISR) | Arged BMSLAM Stal (POL) | Wayne Selden |
2022 | Bahcesehir College (TUR) | Reggio Emilia (ITA) | Jamar Smith |
2023 | Anwil Wloclawek (POL) | Cholet Basket (FRA) | Phil Greene |
2024 | NINERS Chemnitz (GER) | Bahcesehir College (TUR) | Kaza Kajami-Keane |
2025 | Surne Bilbao Basket (ESP) | PAOK BC (GRE) | Melwin Pantzar |
2026 | Bilbao Basket (ESP) | PAOK BC (GRE) | Darrun Hilliard |
How can I follow the action?
Fans can watch all games on the official website, with games streamed live and free on the FIBA YouTube channel.
Don't forget to also follow FIBA Europe Cup on X and Instagram to stay up to date and join in on the action using #FIBAEuropeCup.
FIBA