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Basketball is a popular sport in Europe, with a rich and competitive tradition. The continent is home to numerous high-calibre leagues that have produced many NBA stars. The EuroLeague is widely recognised as the top-tier and most prestigious men's basketball league in Europe. It is a semi-closed league with 18 teams, 16 of which are given long-term licences. There are also other Europe-wide competitions, national leagues, and regional (multi-national) leagues. Each country generally has its own league system, with various divisions involving promotion and relegation, as well as playoffs following the regular season.
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What You'll Learn
National leagues in individual countries
In addition to multi-national leagues, there are national leagues in individual European countries. Each country generally has its own league system, with various divisions which involve promotion and relegation, as well as playoffs following the regular season.
The Spanish Liga ACB, for example, contributes the most, three to four clubs to the EuroLeague each season. The VTB United League, on the other hand, is made up of mostly Russian clubs, as well as a smaller number of clubs from Belarus and Kazakhstan. It serves as the top division of the Russian national league system.
Other examples of national leagues in individual European countries include the Albanian Basketball Superliga (first tier) and the Albanian Basketball First Division (second tier), the Austrian Basketball Superliga (first tier) and the Basketball Zweite Liga (second tier), and the Armenia Basketball League A.
The Basketball Champions League (BCL) is a Europe-wide competition organised by FIBA Europe, which is another way clubs participate in pan-European leagues.
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Multi-national leagues
Europe has a well-developed basketball system, with national leagues in individual countries and multi-national leagues. The multi-national leagues are spread across the continent, with teams from several countries participating. These leagues often serve as qualifiers for the EuroLeague, the continent's most prestigious basketball tournament.
The ABA League, also known as the Adriatic League, is one such example. It consists of clubs from the former Yugoslavia, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia. Over the years, the league has also included clubs from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Israel. The winner of the ABA League qualifies for the next season's EuroLeague.
Another multi-national league is the Balkan International Basketball League, which began in 2008 and includes teams from Albania, Bulgaria, Israel, Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. The VTB United League is another prominent multi-national league, comprising mostly Russian clubs and a smaller number of clubs from neighbouring countries like Belarus and Kazakhstan. It serves as the top division of the Russian national league system.
The North European Basketball League (1999-2003), the Baltic Basketball League (2004-2018), the Central European Basketball League (2008-2010), and the Latvian-Estonian Basketball League are some other examples of multi-national leagues that have existed in Europe. These leagues provide a platform for clubs to compete internationally and qualify for the EuroLeague or other continental competitions.
The EuroLeague is a professional men's basketball club competition and is widely recognised as the top-tier league in Europe. It was first introduced in 1958 as the FIBA European Champions Cup and has since been rebranded and organised by Euroleague Basketball. The competition features 18 teams, including licensed clubs with long-term licences and associated clubs with annual licences. The league follows a double round-robin format, with each team playing every other team twice.
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Europe's elite teams
Europe's elite basketball teams compete in the EuroLeague, widely recognised as the continent's top-tier and most prestigious men's basketball league. The league consists of 18 teams, 12 of which are held by licensed clubs that have long-term licences with Euroleague Basketball and are members of the Shareholders Executive Board. The remaining six EuroLeague places are held by associated clubs that have annual licences, of which one has a two-year wild card, three have one-year wild cards, and two are the finalists of the previous season's second-tier European competition, the EuroCup. The EuroLeague is one of the most popular indoor sports leagues globally, with an average attendance of 10,383 for league matches in the 2023-24 season.
The EuroLeague was first organised by FIBA in 1958 as the FIBA European Champions Cup, which operated under FIBA's umbrella until Euroleague Basketball was created for the 2000-01 season. The competition was renamed the FIBA EuroLeague in 1996, and since 2010, it has been sponsored by Turkish Airlines. The authority in European professional basketball is divided between Euroleague Basketball, which oversees club competitions, and FIBA, which governs national team competitions such as the FIBA EuroBasket, the FIBA World Cup, and the Summer Olympics.
Some of the notable teams that have achieved success in the EuroLeague include:
- Real Madrid: The most successful team in EuroLeague history, having won the competition a record eleven times.
- Maccabi Tel Aviv: Back-to-back EuroLeague champions in the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons.
- Olympiacos: Became back-to-back EuroLeague champions in the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons.
- Anadolu Efes: Won the EuroLeague consecutively in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, becoming the only team to achieve this feat in the modern EuroLeague era.
- Fenerbahçe: The only team to go undefeated at home after a 30-game regular season in the modern EuroLeague format, securing the best record in the regular season. They are also the earliest EuroLeague Playoffs qualifiers in the modern era.
In addition to the EuroLeague, there are various other multi-national basketball leagues and competitions in Europe, including the ABA League (Adriatic League), the VTB United League, and the Balkan International Basketball League. These leagues often consist of clubs from multiple countries, adding to the diversity and competitiveness of basketball across the continent.
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Domestic leagues, lower divisions
Basketball is a popular sport in Europe, with a rich and competitive tradition. The continent is home to numerous high-calibre leagues that have produced many NBA stars. The European basketball system consists of national leagues, regional (multi-national) leagues, and continental competitions.
Each country generally has its own league system, with various divisions involving promotion and relegation, as well as playoffs following the regular season. For example, the Spanish Liga ACB is widely regarded as one of the most competitive leagues globally, with a blend of former NBA players and prospects. It is the top contributor to the EuroLeague, with three to four clubs qualifying each season. The Italian league, featuring a mix of Italian and foreign talent, has been running since 1920 and is the oldest continuous basketball league in the world. Germany's BBL, founded in 1966, has 18 teams and is rising in status across Europe.
In addition to these national leagues, there are also regional leagues that include clubs from several countries. The ABA League, also known as the Adriatic League, was established in 2001 and consists of clubs from the former Yugoslavia, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia. The Balkan International Basketball League, which began in 2008, features teams from Albania, Bulgaria, and Israel. The VTB United League, regarded as the top division of the Russian national league system, primarily includes Russian clubs, with a smaller number of clubs from Belarus and Kazakhstan.
These domestic leagues and lower divisions form the foundation of the European basketball landscape, with clubs typically qualifying for European competitions, such as the EuroLeague and EuroCup, through their performance in these leagues.
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Youth basketball
In Europe, youth basketball is a thriving space with several leagues and tournaments. The Euro Youth Basketball Cup is one such tournament that takes place in Barcelona, Spain, and sees the participation of teams from across the world. The tournament is not just about basketball, but also about enjoying the beautiful city of Barcelona and its attractions.
There are also national youth basketball leagues in each European country, with various divisions, playoffs, and a regular season. These national leagues serve as a stepping stone for clubs to compete in Europe-wide competitions. One such competition is the EuroLeague, which is widely recognised as the top-tier men's basketball league in Europe. The EuroLeague consists of 18 teams, 12 of which are licensed clubs with long-term licenses and are members of the Shareholders Executive Board. The remaining six EuroLeague places are held by associated clubs with annual licenses, wild cards, and finalists from the previous season's EuroCup.
In addition to national leagues, there are also regional (multi-national) leagues in Europe. One example is the Adriatic League, officially known as the ABA League, which consists of clubs from the former Yugoslavia, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia. At different times, the league has also included clubs from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Israel. Another multi-national league is the VTB United League, which is made up mostly of Russian clubs, along with a smaller number of clubs from Belarus and Kazakhstan.
These multi-national leagues provide an opportunity for youth basketball players from different countries to compete and test their skills against a wider range of opponents. They also foster international collaboration and contribute to the development of basketball as a global sport.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are divisions in European basketball. Each country has its own league system, with various divisions that involve promotion and relegation, as well as playoffs following the regular season.
Examples of multinational leagues in Europe include the North European Basketball League, the Baltic Basketball League, the Central European Basketball League, and the Adriatic League (ABA League).
The EuroLeague is widely recognised as the top-tier and most prestigious men's basketball league in Europe. It is a competition consisting of 18 teams, widely considered one of the most popular indoor sports leagues in the world.
Some of the top European basketball leagues include Spain's Liga ACB, the Turkish Basketball Super League (BSL), and the Italian Basketball League.
Some of the best European basketball teams include Real Madrid, Anadolu Efes, Barcelona, and CSKA Moscow.
