The BKT EuroCup is set for its biggest transformation in years after the Euroleague Commercial Assets (ECA) Board approved an expansion to 32 teams beginning with the 2026-27 season.
The decision was announced following the ECA Board meeting on June 9, where Euroleague Basketball executives reviewed progress on the organization’s long-term strategic plan and outlined several initiatives aimed at strengthening European club basketball.
Under the new format, the EuroCup will grow from its current 20-team structure to 32 teams. The competition will be divided into four groups of eight teams, creating a larger regular-season schedule and opening the door for more clubs across Europe to participate.
The postseason will also receive a significant redesign. Sixteen teams will qualify for the playoffs, with the knockout stage featuring Eighthfinals, Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Finals. Every playoff round will be played as a best-of-three series, replacing the current format that includes single-game elimination rounds in the early stages.
The expansion comes after a season that demonstrated strong interest in the competition. According to Euroleague Basketball, more than 40 clubs expressed interest in participating in the 2026-27 EuroCup, a figure that exceeded the available spots under the existing structure.
The new model will combine sporting merit with long-term stability. Participating clubs will gain access through domestic league performance, while approximately 20 organizations are expected to receive five-year licenses. The remaining places will be awarded through one-year wild cards.
That approach marks a major shift for the competition. Long-term licenses are designed to encourage investment, improve planning certainty and help clubs build sustainable basketball operations without facing annual qualification uncertainty.
The move follows a successful 2025-26 EuroCup campaign that featured 20 teams from 13 countries. French club Cosea JL Bourg captured the title after defeating Turkish side Besiktas Gain 2-0 in the Finals.
The final list of participating teams and the clubs awarded long-term licenses is expected to be announced in the coming days. With a larger field, a revamped playoff system and increased long-term security for teams, the 2026-27 season is positioned to become one of the most significant chapters in the competition’s history.
