European basketball fans can look forward to an exciting year of action starting on September 23, 2026. The FIBA Europe Cup 2026-27 Season brings together top clubs from across the continent through April 28, 2027.
Teams will fight for the trophy in an expanded competition format. This popular club tournament continues to grow bigger and better each year. Strong rosters and intense rivalries will make every single game fun to watch.
This article covers all the vital details for the upcoming campaign. You will find complete schedules, host venues, group changes, and star players.
FIBA Europe Cup 2026-27 Schedule and Key Dates
The FIBA Europe Cup 2026-27 Season features a clear roadmap from autumn to spring. Teams must earn their spot through qualifiers before entering the main group stages.
Matches usually tip off between 4:00 PM and 8:30 PM CET (Central European Time). For global viewers tuning in live, this generally translates to a broadcast window of 3:00 PM to 7:30 PM GMT and 8:30 PM to 1:00 AM IST, depending on the host country.
Here is the full timeline for all six tournament rounds.
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Qualifiers | September 23 – September 30, 2026 |
| Regular Season | October 6 – December 23, 2026 |
| Second Round | January 5 – February 10, 2027 |
| Quarter-Finals | March 10 – March 17, 2027 |
| Semi-Finals | March 31 – April 7, 2027 |
| Finals | April 21 – April 28, 2027 |
FIBA Europe Cup 2026-27 Tournament Expansion and New Format
The FIBA Europe Cup 2026-27 Season brings an exciting new setup for basketball fans. Tournament leaders expanded the regular season field from 40 to 48 clubs. This welcome growth gives more European teams a chance to shine on a big stage.
To keep things organized, officials will place these 48 teams into 12 groups of four. Each club plays home and away fixtures against every opponent in their group. Every single point matters as teams fight to stay alive in the race.
After six intense games, the top two teams from each group advance to the next round. Those 24 surviving clubs then form six new groups of four for another round of action. This simple format promises high energy and constant drama from start to finish.
FIBA Europe Cup 2026-27 Venue Details
The FIBA Europe Cup 2026-27 will be played across venues in 25 national federations. Each host city will bring its own atmosphere to the competition.
In Spain, Bàsquet Girona will play at the Pavelló Girona-Fontajau. In France, Élan Chalon will host games at Le Colisée, while Würzburg Baskets will play at the tectake Arena in Germany.
Other venues across Northern and Eastern Europe will also host group-stage games. The Kalev Sports Hall in Tallinn is among the key venues, with home crowds set to create a strong atmosphere throughout the competition.
Who is Playing? (Team Entry Breakdown)
A total of 48 clubs will compete in the FIBA Europe Cup 2026-27 regular season. Twenty-four clubs earned direct spots through national titles or federation rankings, representing 25 European nations.
At least three more clubs will qualify by winning their qualifying-round ties. Up to 21 teams can also enter after losing in the Basketball Champions League qualifiers.
This system brings together national champions, established clubs, and emerging teams. They will compete across eight groups during the regular season.
FIBA Europe Cup 2026-27 Qualifiers Round Matchups
Six clubs will compete in two-legged ties to capture the last three regular season spots. Teams will play home and away fixtures on September 23 and September 30.
Here is the detailed schedule and pairing breakdown for all six qualifying games.
| Match | Details |
|---|---|
| Pairing 1 – Leg 1 | Neftçi vs BC Pärnu |
| Date & Time (IST) | Wed, 23 Sept – 8:30 PM |
| Pairing 1 – Leg 2 | BC Pärnu vs Neftçi |
| Date & Time (IST) | Wed, 30 Sept – 9:30 PM |
| Pairing 2 – Leg 1 | Samobor vs BC Prievidza |
| Date & Time (IST) | Wed, 23 Sept – 11:30 PM |
| Pairing 2 – Leg 2 | BC Prievidza vs Samobor |
| Date & Time (IST) | Wed, 30 Sept – 10:30 PM |
| Pairing 3 – Leg 1 | KB Peja vs CS Dinamo București |
| Date & Time (IST) | Wed, 23 Sept – 11:45 PM |
| Pairing 3 – Leg 2 | CS Dinamo București vs KB Peja |
| Date & Time (IST) | Wed, 30 Sept – 9:30 PM |
Key Teams and Player Spotlight
The FIBA Europe Cup 2026-27 season features several experienced clubs and notable new signings. FIATC Girona headlines Group B after making major additions to its roster.
Former champions such as BC Oostende and Sporting CP also bring valuable tournament experience. Their European pedigree adds more depth to the competition.
American guard Mac McClung has joined Girona for his first professional season overseas. The 27-year-old won three consecutive NBA Slam Dunk Contests from 2023 to 2025.
He also won two NBA G League MVP awards and recorded a career-high 59 points. McClung also made his senior United States debut during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Americas Qualifiers.
His athleticism and scoring ability add another attacking option for Girona. The club has also signed Stanley Whittaker and David N’Guessan ahead of its European campaign.
Meanwhile, Élan Chalon and Promitheas Patras also have strong rosters for the new season. With talented guards and physical frontcourt players across the groups, the competition will feature several interesting individual battles.
FIBA Europe Cup Champions Wall
Bilbao Basket currently holds the trophy after winning back-to-back titles in 2025 and 2026. Nine different clubs have captured the crown since FIBA established the tournament in 2015.
Here is the complete list of previous winners, runners-up, and Finals MVP award winners.
| YEAR | CHAMPIONS | RUNNERS-UP | FINALS MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Fraport Skyliners (GER) | Varese (ITA) | Quantez Robinson |
| 2017 | Nanterre 92 (FRA) | Elan Chalon (FRA) | – |
| 2018 | Reyer Venezia (ITA) | Sidigas Avellino (ITA) | – |
| 2019 | Banco di Sardegna Sassari (ITA) | s.Oliver Wurzburg (GER) | – |
| 2020 | Season cancelled | – | – |
| 2021 | Ironi Nes Ziona (ISR) | Arged BMSLAM Stal (POL) | Wayne Selden |
| 2022 | Bahcesehir College (TUR) | Reggio Emilia (ITA) | Jamar Smith |
| 2023 | Anwil Wloclawek (POL) | Cholet Basket (FRA) | Phil Greene |
| 2024 | NINERS Chemnitz (GER) | Bahcesehir College (TUR) | Kaza Kajami-Keane |
| 2025 | Surne Bilbao Basket (ESP) | PAOK BC (GRE) | Melvin Pantzar |
| 2026 | Bilbao Basket (ESP) | PAOK BC (GRE) | Darrun Hilliard |
How to Watch FIBA Europe Cup 2026-27 Live
You can follow the FIBA Europe Cup 2026-27 through official digital and broadcast platforms. The official FIBA YouTube channel will stream selected games live for free.
For wider coverage, Courtside 1891 will provide live games and full replays. The platform also includes live statistics and on-demand highlights across supported devices.
Regional broadcasters may also show selected games in participating European countries. Coverage can vary by location, so check local listings for matchday broadcast details.
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Conclusion
The FIBA Europe Cup 2026-27 season will bring European club basketball action from September through April. A 48-team field will compete across eight regular-season groups, followed by the knockout stages.
Mac McClung’s move to Girona adds another notable name to the competition. At the same time, Bilbao Basket will defend its title against clubs with strong European experience and ambitious new rosters.
Don’t miss the FIBA Europe Cup 2026-27 as Europe’s clubs battle through another exciting season. Follow the action live and catch the biggest matchups.
