Basketball EuroLeague in Europe: a guide to the new season – clubs, format, schedule, arenas, and ticket notes

In the elite European club basketball competition, greater ambitions, a wider map of cities, and a fuller calendar await us. The league has been officially expanded to 20 clubs, bringing a total of 38 rounds in the double round-robin phase and an even more intense rhythm of matches across the continent. The competition system retains its winning combination: the best teams go directly to the playoffs, and the teams from the middle of the table get a second chance through "play-in" clashes that further enhance the uncertainty.

Competition format and key calendar points

The league now has 20 participants and is played in a double round-robin format, which means 38 games per club in the regular season. The top six teams go straight to the quarterfinals, while teams from seventh to tenth place enter the Play-In Showdown – a single-elimination mini-bracket that decides the remaining two playoff spots. This maintains the high importance of every game throughout the season, as even a short winning or losing streak can significantly change the path to the Final Four. Games during the FIBA national team windows have been moved to Tuesday and Wednesday to facilitate players' participation in national selections, and the final tournament no longer includes a third-place game – only the two semifinal games and the grand final remain. The rhythm intensifies right from the start – the opening comes at the end of September, and in the first few weeks, double-header rounds arrive, which temporarily change the standings and emphasize the importance of roster depth. The end of the regular season falls in mid-April; immediately after that, a week is reserved for the play-in, followed by best-of-five quarterfinal series until mid-May. The Final Four arrives at the end of May – a basketball weekend that traditionally attracts fans from all over Europe and beyond.

Final Four in Athens

The final tournament will be held in Athens, in the OAKA arena – which is also known by its new name in commercial materials – on a basketball weekend in the second half of May. This marks the return of the final four format to a city with an exceptionally strong basketball tradition and fanatical fans, and the arena itself has undergone significant investment and modernization.

Participants – 20 clubs and a wider geography of the League

The expansion has also confirmed a new, broader geography for the League. The list of clubs (alphabetically) includes established powerhouses, returnees, and debutants – including the first club from the Arabian Peninsula.

• Anadolu Efes (Istanbul)
• AS Monaco (Monaco)
• Baskonia (Vitoria-Gasteiz)
• Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (Belgrade)
• Dubai Basketball (Dubai)
• EA7 Emporio Armani Milano (Milan)
• FC Barcelona (Barcelona)
• FC Bayern München (Munich)
• Fenerbahçe Beko (Istanbul)
• Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv (Tel Aviv)
• LDLC ASVEL (Villeurbanne/Lyon)
• Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (Tel Aviv)
• Olympiacos (Piraeus)
• Panathinaikos AKTOR (Athens)
• Paris Basketball (Paris)
• Partizan Mozzart Bet (Belgrade)
• Real Madrid (Madrid)
• Valencia Basket (Valencia)
• Virtus Segafredo Bologna (Bologna)
• Žalgiris (Kaunas)

In the context of participation statuses, the long-term "wildcard" level stands out – for some clubs for three years, and for Dubai for as long as five seasons – as part of a strategy for stability and market expansion.

Debut and comeback stories

The most talked-about topic is the debut appearance of the club from Dubai, which gives the League a new, southeastern "gateway" and a completely new fan market. The club will play its home games at the Coca-Cola Arena, a multifunctional facility that has already hosted a number of regional basketball events. This is also a symbol of the League's careful planning: entering a new market, but without compromising on the quality of infrastructure and the fan experience. Special attention is also drawn to Hapoel from Tel Aviv, which earned its status in the League through the competition system and has further strengthened its roster in a short time. Their profile on the official websites confirms high ambitions and rapid adaptation to the demands of the elite level.

Schedule: double-headers, derbies, and high-interest games

The calendar is dense, with more double-header rounds and series between traditional rivals. As early as the beginning of November, El Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid is scheduled, one of the games that regularly has the highest demand for tickets. In the first rounds, Dubai also makes its debut on the big stage – against Belgrade's Partizan in its first game in the League – while Hapoel hosts Barcelona in front of its home crowd. Such "openers" further raise interest in the host cities and international fan communities. As the season progresses towards December and January, the dynamics of travel and the density of games (38 rounds) place emphasis on bench depth and maintaining form through cycles with little time for preparation. This is precisely why double-header rounds often lead to surprises, which in the EuroLeague results in jumps in the standings and unexpected home-court advantages before the play-in week and the playoffs.

Arenas and fan experience

Besides the OAKA arena in Athens, which has undergone a major refresh and now bears a new commercial name, the fan scene is particularly vibrant in Madrid (WiZink Center), Belgrade (Stark Arena), Istanbul, and Kaunas. It is in Athens that some of the loudest atmospheres are traditionally recorded, and investments in infrastructure – from lighting and sound to seating and facilities around the arena – raise the quality of the stay on game day. In Dubai, the emphasis is on a modern multifunctional arena, with a pronounced "entertainment" approach before and after the game.

What's new in business rules and competitive balance

To ensure sustainable growth, the standards for financial stability and "competitive balance" have been updated. Highlighted points include a raised Base Remuneration Level, exceptions for so-called "anchor" players (up to three per club), and a transitional limit on financial compensation for clubs above the BRL. This package of measures is being implemented in phases with full implementation in the coming seasons, with the aim of preserving competitiveness and responsible spending.

Play-in and playoffs: a second life for the middle of the table

The play-in system – introduced in previous years and confirmed for the current season – offers an interesting "second chance." Two single-elimination games create additional drama and force coaches to balance between conserving energy and current form. Home-court advantage in the play-in rewards a higher placement from the regular season, which emphasizes the value of every match from September to April. This is followed by the classic best-of-five quarterfinal series, with home-court advantage for the higher-ranked teams.

Final weekend without a third-place game

Another significant change: the third-place game has been eliminated from the final tournament. This clears the schedule and shifts the focus entirely to the semifinals and the final, which suits both sporting and commercial criteria – the outcome gets a pure dramatic arc without a "consolation" game the next day.

Ticket notes (no sales links and no CTA)

In European basketball metropolises, demand is traditionally highest for derbies (e.g., city and national clashes) and for matches between clubs with a rich European legacy. The Final Four is a special event with its own distribution of ticket categories; as a rule, multiple price levels per sector are offered, as well as limited premium packages with which clubs and the organizer aim to provide additional amenities on game day. In the first weeks after the schedule is announced, fans usually track the dates of "double-header rounds" and the price ranges in different cities, and the dynamics of price formation vary from club to club – depending on the size of the arena, average interest, and the importance of the opponent. For high-risk matches or the biggest derbies, special entry and control rules often apply, so it is worth checking the updated instructions before traveling. (For the schedule and dates, use the official announcements – the League's and clubs' publications regularly provide the latest information.)

Travel tips for fans

Given that the League covers all of Europe – with new destinations in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East – planning a trip around a game requires a little more attention. For classic basketball cities (Madrid, Athens, Belgrade, Istanbul, Kaunas), accommodation is often booked long before game day, especially around holidays and "double-header rounds." For away games with higher security measures (e.g., derbies), it is advisable to read the club's protocols for fan sectors, permitted props, and the exact opening times of the arena entrances. In cities with multifunctional arenas (for example, in Dubai), expect a wider range of "pre-game" and "post-game" content within the complex, which often means it's worth arriving earlier to avoid traffic jams at transportation hubs around the arena.

Why the expansion is important

New markets bring a larger television and digital audience, and thus stronger partners and more resources for the development of basketball. At the same time, through the rules of financial stability and balance between clubs, the League has further established frameworks so that growth does not threaten competitive tension. The introduction of the play-in and the elimination of the third-place game show a readiness for adjustments that increase excitement and clarity of the story for fans. Athens as the host of the finals brings the Final Four back to the heart of one of the most passionate basketball audiences in Europe, in an arena that has undergone investment and is ready for a spectacle.

What to pay attention to in the schedule

Due to the new number of clubs, every city derby and every "classic" European duel gets two episodes during the season – one at home and one away. Early weekday slots are more suitable for families (less crowding at the entrance, easier transportation planning), while Friday and Saturday are traditionally the most sought-after days. In October and November, so-called double-header rounds will be frequent, and fans also follow "mini-series" – for example, when a club plays two strong games against different styles in three or four days, which can affect rotations and make both teams unpredictable. Examples from the calendar also show that the biggest duels are played early, including the aforementioned clash between Barcelona and Real at the beginning of November, which further accelerates the standings on the table.

Basketball EuroLeague across Europe: a guide to the schedule, arenas, rivalries, and ticket guidelines

The European club elite is entering a season with an expanded number of participants, a denser rhythm, and a clearer competitive framework that emphasizes every week of the calendar. The regular season features a double round-robin schedule among 20 clubs (a total of 38 rounds), followed by a "Play-In Showdown" for teams from the middle of the table, best-of-five quarterfinal series, and a finale with two semifinals and a grand final. These guidelines have been confirmed in official League announcements and are visible in the game calendar, making it easier for fans to plan trips and choose dates with the highest ticket demand.

Schedule and "hot" dates: where ticket demand grows fastest

A dynamic start brings games that are marked as "high-interest" from the outset. The first week highlights two debuts: Dubai hosts Partizan in the city's multifunctional arena, while Hapoel from Tel Aviv hosts Barcelona in its first European appearance of the new era. Early head-to-head matchups between traditional rivals and major clashes of the "old guard" typically create a sharp jump in ticket demand in host cities, so it is worth planning as early as possible. The official schedule confirms the aforementioned duels and opening timeframes, and clubs simultaneously publish their own itineraries with exact times. For fans combining travel with a game, double-headers (two appearances in three to four days) present an ideal opportunity for "mini-packages" where multiple matches can be watched in the same city or region. As the season progresses towards the winter months, the calendar concentrates derbies on Fridays and early in the week, and the even distribution of time slots among cities opens up the possibility of smartly "catching" the most sought-after pairs at more favorable price ranges – especially in weeks without the biggest rivalries.

Final Four in Athens and the new dramaturgy of the finale

The final tournament returns to Athens, to the OAKA arena, which once again turns the city with an exceptional basketball tradition into an epicenter of fan pilgrimage. The hosting was confirmed after a postponement of the vote and comes immediately after the final tournament's international excursion in the previous season, so the continental audience gets a recognizable environment with a top-notch atmosphere. The key novelty is that a third-place game is no longer played at the Final Four – only two semifinals and the final remain, giving the culmination a clean line of tension and a clearer focus. For fans, this also means a different rhythm of planning: there is no "consolation" Saturday or Sunday matinée option, but the entire demand is concentrated on the semifinals and the final. In practice, this increases the importance of defining a budget and choosing a sector early, given that ticket categories often sell out in stages, and priority is given to subscribers and club programs, as well as official quotas for the semifinalists' fan sectors.

Ticket guidelines without sales links: categories, sectors, and security provisions

In most arenas, there is a multi-layered system of categories along the court, the lower ring, the upper ring, and specific corner sectors. Prices depend on the opponent, the importance of the round, and the arena's capacity. They rise fastest for city derbies, classic European clashes, and during double-header weeks. The Final Four, as a special event, has its own sector matrix; in addition to standard categories, there are often limited "premium" options with additional amenities on game day. For derbies and higher-security-risk matches, special rules for entry, identification, and permitted props are common, and the entrances often open earlier than usual – useful for planning arrival and departure from the arena. As this is an international competition, it is advisable to follow the updated notes from the organizer and clubs regarding opening times, recommended control points, and any conditions for visitors. For travel outside the Schengen area or to destinations with enhanced controls, additional time at security checks and in city traffic helps to avoid delays, especially for popular evening time slots.

Arenas and fan experience: from Athens to Dubai

OAKA in Athens is synonymous with a passionate audience and a "hard" acoustic profile; modernizations of lighting, sound, and commercial zones in recent years have contributed to greater comfort and flow at the entrances for high fan pressure. In Madrid, the WiZink Center has set standards for multifunctionality and central city accessibility, while the Stark Arena in Belgrade, with its large capacity and clear sectoring, allows for specific choreography of local fan groups. In Istanbul, depending on the opponent, the acoustics and waves of "run-and-gun" basketball often create the most dynamic evenings of the week. In Kaunas, the "green sea" of fans is an integral part of the experience, and logistically, the sectors are well-marked and easily accessible. A special chapter is brought by Dubai, where home games are played at the Coca-Cola Arena. The multifunctional complex combines an "event" approach with an emphasis on pre- and post-game content, which means that fans generally plan to arrive earlier and stay in the arena zone. The official websites of the arena and the club confirm that the club organizes its home European appearances there, and announcements from city portals also highlight the capacity and additional programs.

What the expansion to 20 clubs means for travel planning and "ticket strategy"

The expansion and the double round-robin format bring four additional rounds compared to previous standards, making the season calendrically denser. For fans aiming for more affordable tickets, it is useful to follow mid-week matches and opponents that are not traditional rivals – demand then often grows more slowly than for "classics." In the Play-In week, the value of home-court advantage rewards a better ranking, which often results in higher demand in cities that have made it to the extra chance for the playoffs. The official competition website provides a detailed breakdown of the format and the steps after the regular season, so planning can be aligned with potential scenarios.

Rivalries, "stories within the story," and how to read them in the calendar

The most sought-after pairs remain the "eternal" city and historical duels – El Clásico, the Athens and Belgrade clashes, the Istanbul showdowns, the Mediterranean derbies that fill arenas to the last seat. But short cycles and double-headers often generate "hidden classics": games where the style of the opponent changes in three days (e.g., a running team after a tough defensive team), which leads to tactically unexpected outcomes. In combination with travel, such situations quickly change the standings and can create a sudden "rush" for tickets for the next round in the same city. Examples from the official schedule show that major duels and debut appearances on home court (Tel Aviv and Dubai) come early in the initial period, and some teams have also published their own versions of the calendar with exact opening times in well-known arenas. This helps fans who are targeting specific days of the week and looking for the optimal ratio of price and experience.

How to read official announcements and filter information

The official competition website publishes the format, calendar, and key changes (including the absence of a third-place game at the finals). Club announcements and city arenas then specifically announce the opening hours of entrances, access for people with disabilities, rules for props, and any "fan zones." For fans planning multi-day trips, it is useful to compare two sources: the league (to confirm the framework) and the club/arena (for on-site logistics). This "dual" approach reduces surprises on game day, especially in cities with heavier traffic or with more extensive security check protocols.

Practical tips: from transportation to sector choice

• Arrive early: for high-interest games, the entrances open earlier; queues at security checks can get "overwhelmed" in the last 30 minutes.
• Choosing a sector: the lower ring closer to the court offers an immediate experience, but the upper side sectors often provide a better overview of tactical "match-ups" and off-the-ball movement.
• Double-headers: for fans combining travel, double-headers are an opportunity to watch two games in a short period with more rational travel and accommodation costs.
• Derbies: rules for props (flags, drums, choreography) vary by arena; check the host's instructions to avoid being turned back at the entrance.
• Mobile tickets: most arenas use digital tickets; have your devices charged and, if necessary, QR codes stored offline.
• Family zones: earlier evening games during the week are usually calmer; demand is lower than on Fridays, which can affect sector availability.

Specifics of new markets: Tel Aviv and Dubai under the microscope

Tel Aviv brings a strong fan tradition and modernized arena processes – from signage and access to fast security procedures. Club announcements detail home and away duels within the regular season, with clearly indicated dates and times. In practice, this helps fans from other countries to "catch" desired games within a few days on the same trip. Dubai as a new destination combines a sports and "entertainment" approach in one arena located in a popular city zone. Official announcements from the arena and local portals confirm the logistics of home games and emphasize pre- and post-match content, which ultimately changes fan habits – part of the audience arrives earlier and stays longer in the arena's vicinity, and this should be factored into transportation and sector selection planning.

How changes at the top of the competition affect demand

The elimination of the third-place game narrows the focus of the final weekend to two levels of uncertainty – the semifinals and the final – and reduces the "dispersion" of fan interest. This concentrates ticket preferences on the available sectors for those two evenings. In combination with the expansion of the number of clubs and additional rounds, the ticket market becomes "sharper" at demand peaks and more fluid in quieter weeks, so closely monitoring official announcements can mean the difference between a desired sector and a compromise choice.

Media and digital context: why it's important to know the times

Since the competition is spread throughout the week, television and digital broadcasts target prime-time in different time zones. This also affects the fan rhythm in cities: later starts on weekdays mean more intense traffic jams around key transportation hubs just before the beginning. Club media releases often also include the exact protocols for downloading mobile tickets and passing through "e-gates," so it's worth checking the final instructions on game day.

The broader European framework and continuity of events

The finale returns to European soil after an international excursion in the previous season that attracted global attention and opened new markets. This continuity – a global episode followed by a return to the cradle of club basketball – strengthens the fan base and opens up diverse travel scenarios: from weekend getaways in host cities to "city-breaks" aligned with the double-header schedule. In this context, Athens once again takes on the role of host for the finale, and the European audience gets a recognizable setting for the culmination of the season.

Quick reminder for planning

• Check official dates: the League's calendar and club announcements are the first point of checking; schedule updates happen with changes in travel logistics or television slots.
• Intensified weeks: double-headers and derbies affect sector availability; for family arrivals, look for earlier time slots during the week.
• Final Four: concentration of demand on semifinals and final without a third-place game – plan your budget and sector earlier.
• New destinations: Tel Aviv and Dubai have specific logistical protocols and modern arenas; follow local notes from the arena and the club before departure.
• Security guidelines: props and entry rules differ by arena; get informed before game day to avoid delays at the entrance.

In conclusion, what fans can realistically expect from week to week

The games are scheduled so that each weekly round offers at least one "magnet" pair in several key cities, thus maintaining a constant fan dynamic in the arenas and on the ticket market. In cities with higher-capacity arenas, price and availability fluctuations are generally milder, while in mid-capacity arenas, derbies create sharp spikes in demand. With the formalized competition format, confirmed changes to the Final Four, and clear calendar points, fans can plan visits in advance and more precisely choose cities, sectors, and dates that suit their budget and desired experience.