The Euroleague Basketball organization is set to implement a franchise system by the 2026-2027 season, a move that aims to bolster long-term stability and investment opportunities. Paris Basketball is among a notable list of clubs and emerging markets that have expressed strong interest in becoming part of this new structure. Other interested parties include PAOK Thessaloniki, Red Star Belgrade, Partizan Belgrade, Besiktas Istanbul, Hapoel Jerusalem, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Valencia Basket, Virtus Bologna, Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul, Dubai BC, Zenit Saint Petersburg, and Napoli Basket. Additionally, investment groups from Rome and London have indicated their interest in the project, separate from any affiliation with the London Lions.
A recent meeting of the ECA board in Barcelona solidified strategic decisions regarding competition formats, economic distribution, and the league’s three-year roadmap. The board reaffirmed its commitment to a 20-team championship format for the 2026-2027 EuroLeague season while actively exploring expansion possibilities. Discussions also included enhancements to player travel and health conditions, as proposed by the EuroLeague Players Association (ELPA).
A preliminary study for a high-profile pre-season competition featuring the EuroLeague and EuroCup champions was approved, potentially strengthening the competitive ecosystem. Significant improvements are also coming to the EuroCup structure, including a merit-based qualification system with at least 10 teams earning spots through their national league performance and the introduction of multi-year licenses for certain clubs. These changes are designed to foster deeper integration between European elite competitions and domestic leagues.
The economic distribution model for Euroleague has undergone a major overhaul, its first significant update in over two decades. This new framework aims to reflect the league’s commercial maturity and revenue diversification. It introduces two primary distribution pools: a broadcast pool where licensed clubs retain 65% of net broadcast revenue from their respective markets, with the remaining 35% shared equally among all licensed clubs; and a league commercial pool, where 75% will be distributed based on a combination of sporting performance, fan engagement (attendance, viewership, digital interaction), and historical results. The remaining 25% will be divided equally among licensed clubs. Following an 18% year-on-year growth in club distribution in 2025-2026, the league anticipates another double-digit increase for the 2026-2027 season.
The transition to a permanent franchise model, expected to be finalized for the 2026-2027 season, is intended to enhance long-term stability and asset value. Over 10 clubs and markets have submitted letters of interest for the league’s upcoming expansion phase, set to officially commence in July 2026. An independent valuation by JB Capital previously estimated the combined enterprise value of Euroleague and its licensed clubs at €3.2 billion, a figure projected to rise by approximately 25% with the strategic plan and franchise model implementation.
Euroleague Basketball’s leadership is also engaged in ongoing discussions with stakeholders, including potential strategic partnerships with the NBA regarding the “NBA Europe” project. The board has reiterated its commitment to maintaining an open and constructive dialogue with the NBA to explore collaborative opportunities for European basketball development.
