MUNICH (Germany) - The 2025-26 FIBA Europe Cup campaign inches ever closer, and clubs from across the continent are ready to take center stage in the Qualifiers.
Here's your guide with everything you need to know to get the excitement building for what promises to be an exciting season.
When do the Qualifiers begin?
The format for the Qualifiers will be a home-and-away series, with the first leg taking place on September 24 and 27, and the return ties on October 1. The seeded teams are playing the second leg at home.
What are the pairings?
Pairing 1: Anorthosis Famagusta (CYP) vs Absheron Lions (AZE) Pairing 2: Anwil Wloclawek (POL) vs BC Bashkimi (KOS) Pairing 3: Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen (BEL) vs KK Bosna BH Telecom (BIH) Pairing 4: BC Balkan (BUL) vs RASTA (GER) Pairing 5: BC Prievidza (SVK) vs KK Cibona (CRO) Pairing 6: BC Dnipro (UKR) vs CSM Corona Brasov (ROU) Pairing 7: Transcom Parnu (EST) vs Basket Brno (CZE)
For a complete list of the clubs announced for this season's FIBA Europe Cup, click here.
Anorthosis Famagusta (CYP) vs Absheron Lions (AZE)
The Cypriot side, Anorthosis Famagusta, returns to the fold after a disappointing campaign last season, where they lost all six of their Regular Season games and will be desperate to return and make their mark this time around.
Standing in their way to success are the newcomers from Azerbaijan, Absheron Lions, who have made incredible strides in reaching European competition for the first time in their history, since their inception in 2022. A spot in the Regular Season could be on the cards.
Anwil Wloclawek (POL) vs BC Bashkimi (KOS)
The 2023 FIBA Europe Cup champions, Anwil Wloclawek, endured a difficult title defense when they were eliminated in the Regular Season the following campaign. Last time out, they got to the Round of 16 before ending their journey. The additions of veteran AJ Slaughter and influential guard Elvar Fridriksson will boost their credentials as they aim to make a run this term.
Standing in their way is BC Bashkimi. Runners-up last season in Kosovo's domestic league, they have brought in Jeremiah Bailey, who has experience in this competition, along with free-scoring TJ Bickerstaff. They will be no pushovers and will relish the opportunity of claiming a former FIBA Europe Cup champion en route to the Regular Season.
Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen (BEL) vs KK Bosna BH Telecom (BIH)
Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen will enter their first FIBA Europe Cup Qualifiers in high spirits, having won the Belgian League title for the first time and having since added versatile forward Nick Stampley, who played in Germany last season, and young prospect Lukas De Ridder, the younger brother of Thijs, who won the competition with Bilbao Basket last season.
They face a KK Bosna BH Telecom side that has a rich history in European competitions and will look to overcome their hungry rookie challengers. The Bosnian side boasts guard Jarrod West, who has experience playing in Germany and Greece as well as Zealand and China, and will look to him to pull the strings of their offense.
BC Balkan (BUL) vs RASTA (GER)
Like Anorthosis Famagusta, BC Balkan's FIBA Europe Cup campaign ended abruptly last season with six losses in six games in a strong Group J that featured eventual winners Bilbao. The Bulgarian side welcomes Courtney Alexander to their roster to bulk up their offense this season.
Balkan's experience in continental tournaments will be put to the test against German side RASTA, who were only promoted to the top flight in 2022 and have made great strides to progress to the Qualifiers in a short space of time. Duo Tevin Brown and Tommy Kuhse will headline a hungry side, looking to feast in the Qualifiers.
BC Prievidza (SVK) vs KK Cibona (CRO)
Despite finishing with a 4-2 record in the Regular Season, BC Prievidza's journey came to a screeching halt last season, and their road to this season's FIBA Europe Cup will not be easy, as they square off against KK Cibona, who have a rich history in European competition.
Making their third appearance in the FIBA Europe Cup this season, the Slovakian side Prievidza has been busy recruiting almost an entirely new team to the one that stepped out onto the floor last time out, with KK Cibona making their first FIBA Europe Cup appearance since they reached the Quarter-Finals back in 2017.
BC Dnipro (UKR) vs CSM Corona Brasov (ROU)
BC Dnipro lost out in the Qualifiers last season to Romanian side CSM Constanta but were given a ticket to the Regular Season as one of the three lucky losers. The Ukrainian side were only able to secure one win from there, exiting early. They will be keen to advance with a two-leg victory this time out.
Dnipro will face another team from Romania this season in the shape of CSM Corona Brasov, as they look to advance to the Regular Season for the first time in its history.
Transcom Parnu (EST) vs Basket Brno (CZE)
Well established Estonian side Transcom Parnu has a lot of returning faces on its roster ahead of the Qualifiers but they have added new faces to their team as well. With the returning players, they include Willem Allik, Sverre Aav and Kaspar Lootus. But they have also boosted their team with experienced Devin Harris and Gregor Ilves.
They face 21-times Czechia League winners Basket Brno, who have returned to European competition looking to make a splash in the FIBA Europe Cup. They will look to Jacob Groves for an added offensive spark to get them to the Regular Season after he enjoyed a successful stint in Great Britain with the Sheffield Sharks.
What happens next?
The seven winners of the Qualifiers pairings will feed into pre-determined groups of the Regular Season, with the Draw having already taken place.
Should any of the provisional clubs from the Basketball Champions League qualify for the BCL Regular Season, then additional spots will become available and filled by 'lucky losers' from the FIBA Europe Cup Qualifiers.
Where can I watch all the action?
Fans can follow all of the games in the Qualifiers via the official website, and selected games will be streamed live on the FIBA YouTube channel.
Don't forget to follow the FIBA Europe Cup on X and Instagram to stay up to date. FIBA