The EuroLeague has clarified key aspects of its 2026–27 season, confirming both a continuation of its current competition format and a significant shift in revenue distribution.
Following its latest shareholders’ meeting, the league announced it will maintain a 20-team structure, including the Play-In, Playoffs, and Final Four.
Revenue sharing expands
For the first time, clubs without long-term licenses will receive a share of the commercial “market pool†— a long-standing demand among participating teams.
Under the new model:
- 75% of commercial revenues will be distributed among all participating clubs, based on sporting performance, fan engagement, and historical results
- 25% will be allocated equally among EuroLeague shareholders
Broadcast revenues remain excluded from this pool. Instead:
- 65% of media rights revenue generated in each market will go to licensed clubs from that market
- The remaining 35% will be distributed equally among all licensed clubs
The changes follow an 18% increase in overall club distributions during the 2025–26 season.
Franchise model gains traction
The league also confirmed strong market interest in its evolving franchise model.
More than 10 clubs have submitted expressions of interest for permanent licenses, including:
- Valencia Basket
- Crvena Zvezda
- Partizan Belgrade
- BeÅŸiktaÅŸ
- Hapoel Tel Aviv
- Paris Basketball
- Virtus Bologna
Additional markets, including Dubai, are also under consideration as part of a broader expansion process set to formally begin in July 2026.
New competitions and integration
Among potential innovations, the EuroLeague is evaluating a preseason match between the champions of the EuroLeague and the EuroCup, mirroring the structure of football’s Super Cup.
At the same time, adjustments to the EuroCup structure aim to strengthen merit-based qualification, with up to 10 teams entering based on domestic league performance and the introduction of multi-year licenses for select clubs.
These measures are designed to deepen integration between elite European competitions and national leagues.
NBA dialogue continues
The EuroLeague also reiterated its openness to discussions with the NBA regarding a potential European project.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver previously indicated that collaboration — including a possible merger scenario — remains on the table.
Outlook
The latest decisions underline a dual strategy: increasing financial inclusivity while advancing toward a more structured, franchise-driven model.
With expansion interest rising and governance evolving, the EuroLeague is positioning itself for its next phase — balancing competitive integrity with long-term commercial growth.