The EuroLeague has officially unveiled its comprehensive schedule for the upcoming 2025-26 basketball season, promising an electrifying new chapter for European club basketball. This season introduces a significant expansion, moving from 18 to 20 participating teams, which will undoubtedly intensify the competition. Fans can anticipate a lengthy and thrilling campaign, featuring 38 regular-season rounds, followed by a Play-In Showdown and the traditional playoff structure, culminating in the prestigious Final Four championship.
The eagerly awaited season is slated to commence on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. This expanded format dictates that each of the 20 teams will engage in 38 regular-season contests, playing every other team once at home and once away. The regular season is set to conclude on Friday, April 17, 2026, at which point the league will determine the teams advancing directly to the playoffs and those entering the newly implemented Play-In Showdown for the remaining berths.
A notable aspect of this expanded league is the introduction of two new clubs, Dubai Basketball and Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv, both making their inaugural appearances in the EuroLeague. Round 1 will see Dubai hosting Partizan, while Hapoel Tel Aviv is set to welcome FC Barcelona. Adding to the excitement, the reigning champions, Fenerbahce, will kick off their title defense against Paris Basketball. Furthermore, Valencia Basket marks its return to the league after a season's absence, commencing its campaign on the road against ASVEL before inaugurating its new home, the Roig Arena, in Round 2 against Virtus Bologna.
The calendar is also punctuated by several highly anticipated derby clashes that are sure to captivate fans. The historic first Israeli derby in EuroLeague history is scheduled for Round 3, pitting Hapoel against Maccabi Tel Aviv. Basketball enthusiasts can also look forward to the Istanbul rivalry between Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahce in Round 6. Later in the season, Round 9 will feature the classic 'El Clásico' showdown between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, while the Serbian derby will unfold in Round 11, with Partizan facing Crvena Zvezda at Belgrade Arena. The Greek derby, an intense fixture between Panathinaikos and Olympiacos, is set to electrify OAKA during Round 19, marking the halfway point of the regular season.
Following the conclusion of the regular season, the competition will intensify with the Play-In Showdown, slated for April 21 and April 24, where the final two playoff spots will be contested. The best-of-five quarterfinal series will then begin on April 28, potentially extending until May 13 if all series reach their maximum length. The pinnacle of the season, the Final Four, is scheduled for Friday, May 22, 2026, with the championship game taking place two days later on Sunday, May 24. This comprehensive schedule guarantees a minimum of 396 games throughout the season, with the potential for additional matches should playoff series extend, promising a season filled with high-stakes basketball action.
