Andrew Pace
EuroLeague is widely recognised as the top-tier basketball league in Europe, with 16 teams competing for the title. Qualification for the EuroLeague has changed over time. Before 2000, qualification was based on domestic league success. Since then, the structure of European basketball has become more complex, with an ongoing feud between FIBA and top clubs. Currently, 11 clubs hold permanent licences to play in the EuroLeague, and these clubs are also shareholders with 7% stakes each. Additionally, the winners of the EuroCup and the Balkan International Basketball League qualify for the next season's EuroLeague. The Spanish Liga ACB contributes the most clubs to the EuroLeague each season, with three to four clubs represented. Other strong leagues include Turkey's BSL, Russia's VTB United League, and Italy's LBA.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of teams | 16 |
| Number of permanent licences | 11 |
| Licence duration | A decade |
| Licence holders' stake in EuroLeague | 7% each |
| Number of teams in EuroCup | 20 |
| Number of teams in Basketball Champions League | 52 |
| Number of teams in Europe Cup | 47 |
| Strongest leagues contributing to EuroLeague | Spanish Liga ACB, Turkey's BSL, Russia's VTB United League, Italy's LBA, LNB Pro A in France, Greek Basket League, Basketball Bundesliga in Germany, ABA League |
| Number of clubs contributed by Spanish Liga ACB | 3-4 |
| Qualification criteria for EuroLeague Women | Country and Club Rankings, previous champion qualifies automatically |
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What You'll Learn
- Permanent licences: 11 clubs have permanent licences, lasting around a decade
- Domestic league success: Clubs from the top domestic leagues qualify
- EuroCup winners: The two finalists of the EuroCup qualify for EuroLeague
- Country and club rankings: The number of clubs from each country is determined by rankings
- Wildcard entries: Clubs can be granted wildcard entries, like Bayern and ASVEL in 2020
Permanent licences: 11 clubs have permanent licences, lasting around a decade
The EuroLeague is widely recognised as the top-tier basketball league in Europe. It is made up of 16 teams, which are considered the top of their domestic leagues.
Eleven of these clubs have permanent licences to play in the EuroLeague. These licences last for around a decade. The 11 clubs signed contracts in 2015 lasting until 2025, granting them places in the EuroLeague. They are also shareholders of the league, with 7% stakes each.
The permanent licences were granted to the clubs that are considered the top of their domestic leagues. The Spanish Liga ACB contributes the most to the EuroLeague, with three to four clubs each season. Other strong leagues include Turkey's BSL, Russia's VTB United League, Italy's LBA, the LNB Pro A in France, the Greek Basket League, Germany's Basketball Bundesliga, and the ABA League.
The permanent licences are not the only way to qualify for the EuroLeague. The winners of the EuroCup qualify for the next season's EuroLeague. The two finalists of the EuroCup qualify for the next season's EuroLeague. Additionally, Bayern Munich and ASVEL signed two-year deals in 2019, with the possibility of extension beyond that.
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Domestic league success: Clubs from the top domestic leagues qualify
Qualification for the EuroLeague is a complex process, and the structure of European basketball is confusing to many. Before 2000, qualification was based on domestic league success. However, this changed when basketball clubs separated from FIBA and formed their own league, creating an ongoing feud with FIBA and top clubs.
Today, the EuroLeague is composed of the top clubs from the strongest domestic leagues in Europe. These include Spain's Liga ACB, which contributes the most with three to four clubs each season, Turkey's BSL, Russia's VTB United League, Italy's LBA, France's LNB Pro A, the Greek Basket League, Germany's Basketball Bundesliga, and the ABA League.
The VTB United League, for example, is made up of mostly Russian clubs and a smaller number of clubs from nearby countries like Belarus and Kazakhstan. It serves as the top division of the Russian national league system. Other multinational leagues have existed in Europe, including the North European Basketball League, the Baltic Basketball League, and the Central European Basketball League.
In addition to the top clubs from the strongest domestic leagues, the EuroLeague also includes clubs that have permanent licenses. These 11 clubs signed contracts in 2015 lasting until 2025, granting them places in the EuroLeague and giving them 7% stakes in the league. While these contracts are expected to be extended, the EuroLeague management governs the competition and makes the final decision.
While the EuroLeague is the primary competition, the EuroCup is considered the secondary competition, consisting of 20 teams from across Europe. The two finalists of the EuroCup qualify for the next season's EuroLeague.
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EuroCup winners: The two finalists of the EuroCup qualify for EuroLeague
EuroCup, also known as EuroCup Basketball, is an annual professional basketball club competition organised by Euroleague Basketball. It is considered the second-best tournament in Europe, after the EuroLeague. The EuroCup currently comprises 20 teams from across Europe, although the number of teams has varied over the years. For instance, the 2015-16 season featured 36 clubs that automatically qualified for the Regular Season.
EuroCup teams qualify for the competition based on their performance in their domestic leagues. The competition has been through several name changes since its inception in 2002 as the ULEB Cup. It became the EuroCup in 2008 after an agreement between ULEB and FIBA.
The EuroCup is a highly competitive tournament, with clubs vying for a chance to qualify for the prestigious EuroLeague. Since the 2021-22 season, both finalists of the EuroCup have automatically qualified for the next season's EuroLeague. Prior to this, only the winner was granted a one-year licence to compete in the EuroLeague. This change has increased the stakes for EuroCup contenders, providing added incentive for clubs to perform at their best and fight for a spot in the top-tier league.
The EuroLeague is the most prestigious competition in European basketball, comprising 18 teams. Clubs that excel in their domestic leagues also qualify for the EuroLeague, such as those from the Spanish Liga ACB, which contributes the most clubs to the EuroLeague each season. In addition to performance-based qualifications, 11 clubs possess permanent licences to compete in the EuroLeague due to their status as shareholders of the league. These clubs have considerable influence over the league's governance and typically secure long-term contracts, ensuring their continued participation.
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Country and club rankings: The number of clubs from each country is determined by rankings
The EuroLeague is the most prestigious basketball competition in Europe and is widely recognised as the top-tier league on the continent. The competition includes clubs from multiple countries and is governed by Euroleague Basketball.
Country and club rankings play a pivotal role in determining the number of clubs that qualify from each country. The points accumulated by the clubs of each country over the last three seasons form the basis of the country rankings. The higher the ranking, the more clubs from that country will qualify for the EuroLeague.
The Spanish Liga ACB is the most prominent contributor, with three to four clubs participating in the EuroLeague each season. Other strong leagues include the Turkish BSL, Russia's VTB United League, Italy's LBA, France's LNB Pro A, the Greek Basket League, Germany's Basketball Bundesliga, and the ABA League.
It is worth noting that 11 clubs have permanent licences to play in the EuroLeague, with contracts signed in 2015 lasting until 2025. These clubs are also shareholders, each with a 7% stake in the league. Additionally, Bayern Munich and ASVEL signed deals for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, with the possibility of extensions.
The EuroLeague Women's competition follows a similar structure, with the composition of the league determined by country and club rankings. The previous season's champion qualifies automatically, and the number of clubs each country sends is based on their performance over the last three seasons.
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Wildcard entries: Clubs can be granted wildcard entries, like Bayern and ASVEL in 2020
The EuroLeague is the top-tier basketball league in Europe. It is widely recognised as the most prestigious competition in European basketball.
Clubs can qualify for the EuroLeague in a variety of ways. One way is through wildcard entries, which are granted by the Euroleague Basketball management, who governs the competition. Wildcard entries are typically given to clubs that have performed well in their domestic leagues or other international competitions. For example, in 2020, Bayern and ASVEL were granted two-year wildcard entries into the EuroLeague. Their contracts were extended until the 2020-21 season, and there was potential for them to be extended further.
Bayern Munich and ASVEL were not the only clubs to receive wildcard entries in 2020. Zenit also received a one-season wildcard for the 2019/20 season. Additionally, the winner of the BBL (German league) and sometimes a team from the ACB (Spanish league) receive wildcard entries, although this is less frequent for Spanish teams as they often win the EuroCup.
The use of wildcards in sports is not unique to EuroLeague basketball. In tennis, for example, wildcards are granted to players who want to enter a tournament on short notice. In 2001, Goran Ivanišević received a wildcard entry to Wimbledon and went on to win the Men's Singles championship. Wildcards are also used in the Olympic Games, where they are termed "Universality Places". These wildcards are granted to National Olympic Committees whose nations are underrepresented after the qualifications.
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Frequently asked questions
16 teams compete in the EuroLeague.
Qualification is based on a club ranking system. Clubs from higher-ranked countries and previous EuroLeague winners qualify automatically.
11 clubs have permanent licences to play in the EuroLeague. These clubs also have a 7% stake in the EuroLeague.
The two finalists of the EuroCup qualify for the next season's EuroLeague. The winner of the Balkan International Basketball League also qualifies for the EuroLeague.
