Teams
Real Madrid
Barcelona
Olympiacos
Fenerbahce
Anadolu Efes
Panathinaikos
Baskonia
Zalgiris
Maccabi Tel Aviv
Milano
Crvena Zvezda
CSKA Moscow
Bayern Munich
Alba Berlin
Asvel Lyon-Villeurbanne
Valencia
Monaco
Khimki Moscow Region
Partizan
Virtus Bologna
Zenit St. Petersburg
Darussafaka
Brose Bamberg
Unicaja Malaga
Unics Kazan
Galatasaray
Cedevita
Paris
Lokomotiv Kuban
Gran Canaria
Buducnost
Nizhny Novgorod
Dinamo Sassari
Limoges
Strasbourg
Zielona Gora
Neptunas
PGE Turow Zgorzelec
Pinar Karsiyaka
Hapoel Jerusalem
VEF Riga
PHX Suns
Oostende
ERA Nymburk
Wikipedia - EuroLeague
The EuroLeague, officially the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, is a European men's professional basketball club competition. The league is widely recognised as the top-tier men's league in Europe. The league consists of 18 teams, of which 16 are given long-term licences and wild cards, making the league a semi-closed league. The league was first organized by FIBA in 1958, subsequently by ULEB in 2000 and then solely the Euroleague Basketball.
The competition was introduced in 1958 as the FIBA European Champions Cup (renamed the FIBA EuroLeague in 1996), which operated under FIBA's umbrella until Euroleague Basketball was created for the 2000–01 season. The FIBA European Champions Cup and the EuroLeague are considered to be the same competition, with the change of name being simply a re-branding.
The EuroLeague is one of the most popular indoor sports leagues in the world, with an average attendance of 10,383 for league matches in the 2023–24 season. This was the fifth-highest of any professional indoor sports league in the world (the highest outside the United States), and the second-highest of any professional basketball league in the world, only behind the National Basketball Association (NBA).
The EuroLeague title has been won by 22 clubs, 14 of which have won it more than once. The most successful club in the competition is Real Madrid, with eleven titles.
History
The FIBA European Champions Cup was originally established by FIBA and it operated from 1958 until the summer of 2000, concluding with the 1999–00 season. Euroleague Basketball was created after the end of the FIBA European Champions Cup.
FIBA had previously used the flying pigeon name for the competition since 1996 but had never trademarked the name. As FIBA had no legal recourse on the usage of the name, it started a new league named the FIBA SuproLeague. The following 2000–2001 season started with two top European professional club basketball competitions: FIBA SuproLeague (renamed from FIBA EuroLeague) and Euroleague.
Top clubs were split between the two leagues: Panathinaikos, Maccabi Tel Aviv, CSKA Moscow and Efes Pilsen stayed with FIBA, while Olympiacos, Kinder Bologna, Real Madrid Teka, FC Barcelona, Paf Wennington Bologna, Žalgiris Kaunas, Benetton Treviso, AEK and Tau Cerámica joined Euroleague Basketball.
In May 2001, Europe had two continental champions, Maccabi of the FIBA SuproLeague and Kinder Bologna of the Euroleague. Both organizations realized the need to come up with a unified competition and Euroleague Basketball negotiated terms and dictated proceedings which FIBA agreed to their terms. As a result, European club competition was fully integrated under Euroleague Basketball's umbrella and teams that competed in the FIBA SuproLeague during the 2000–01 season joined it as well.
The authority in European professional basketball was divided over club-country lines. FIBA stayed in charge of national team competitions (like the FIBA EuroBasket, the FIBA World Cup, and the Summer Olympics), while Euroleague Basketball took over the European professional club competitions. From that point on, FIBA's Korać Cup and Saporta Cup competitions lasted one more season and then Euroleague Basketball launched the ULEB Cup, now known as the EuroCup.
League era
In November 2015, Euroleague Basketball and IMG agreed on a 10-year joint venture. Both Euroleague Basketball and IMG will manage the commercial operation, and the management of all global rights covering both media and marketing. The deal was worth €630 million guaranteed over 10 years, with projected revenues reaching €900 million. Along with the deal the league changed into a true league format, with 16 teams playing each other team in the regular season followed by the playoffs. The A-licensed clubs were assured of participation for the following ten years in the new format. After the new format of the EuroLeague and FIBA implementing national team windows, a conflict between the two organizations emerged. EuroLeague has been criticised by FIBA as well as several national federations for creating a 'closed league' and ignoring the principle of meritocracy. In July 2019, EuroLeague announced that from the 2019–20 season there will be no direct access to the league through domestic leagues anymore.
Title sponsorship
On 26 July 2010, Turkish Airlines and Euroleague Basketball announced a €15 million strategic agreement to sponsor the top European basketball competition across the globe. According to the agreement, starting with the 2010–11 season, the top European competition would be named Turkish Airlines Euroleague Basketball. Similarly, the EuroLeague Final Four would be named the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four, whereby the new league title would appear in all media accordingly. This title partnership was set to run for five seasons, with the option of extending it to an additional five. On 23 October 2013, Turkish Airlines and Euroleague Basketball agreed to extend their partnership, up until 2020.
Names of the competition
- FIBA era: (1958–2001)
- FIBA European Champions Cup: (1958–1991)
- FIBA European League: (1991–1996)
- FIBA EuroLeague: (1996–2000)
- FIBA SuproLeague: (2000–2001)
- Euroleague Basketball era: (2000–present)
- Euroleague: (2000–2016)
- EuroLeague: (2016–present)
*There were two competitions during the 2000–01 season. The SuproLeague, which was organized by FIBA, and the Euroleague, which was organized by Euroleague Basketball.
The Euroleague is the premier professional basketball tournament in Europe, featuring the continent's top clubs and showcasing the highest level of competition in the sport. Established in 2000, the Euroleague has grown into a prestigious event that attracts basketball fans from around the globe, highlighting the rich talent and passion for the game across various nations.
**Format and Structure:**
The tournament typically consists of a regular season followed by a playoff format, culminating in the thrilling Euroleague Final Four. The regular season features 18 elite teams competing in a round-robin format, where each team plays home and away games against every other team. The top eight teams then advance to the playoffs, leading to the highly anticipated Final Four weekend, where the best teams battle for the coveted Euroleague title.
**Global Reach and Fan Engagement:**
The Euroleague is not just a tournament; it is a celebration of basketball culture, bringing together diverse fan bases and fostering a sense of community among supporters. With games broadcasted in multiple languages and accessible through various platforms, fans can follow their favorite teams and players as they strive for glory on the European stage.
**Star Players and Legendary Clubs:**
The Euroleague has been home to some of the greatest basketball talents in history, including NBA stars and international legends. Clubs like Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and Olympiacos have established rich legacies, while emerging teams continue to challenge the status quo, making every season unpredictable and exciting.
**Cultural Significance:**
Beyond the court, the Euroleague embodies the spirit of European unity and sportsmanship. It serves as a platform for cultural exchange, where fans from different backgrounds come together to celebrate their love for basketball. The tournament also emphasizes the importance of youth development and grassroots initiatives, ensuring the future of the sport remains bright.
Join us for the Euroleague, where passion meets excellence, and witness the drama, skill, and excitement that only the best in European basketball can deliver!