The Basketball Champions League confirmed its Season 11 draw in Mies, Switzerland, marking the start of a meticulously planned competition structure for the upcoming season.
Thirty clubs have been allocated to the Regular Season groups, while an additional 24 teams will contest the Qualification Round Tournaments that will run from September 14 to 20 in a single‑game elimination format.
The two winners of those tournaments earn direct entry into the Regular Season, ensuring that only the most resilient sides progress to the main draw.
Regular Season Format and Advancement
The Regular Season is scheduled to begin on October 6, 2026, featuring 32 teams divided into eight groups of four. Each group winner will advance straight to the Round of 16, while the runners‑up and third‑placed teams will enter a best‑of‑three Play‑In series in January.
The winners and finalists of Season 11 will secure spots in a newly announced NBA‑FIBA backed league slated to launch in the fall of 2027, creating a direct pathway for European clubs to compete at a higher level.
Insights from the Governing Body
Basketball Champions League CEO Patrick Comninos highlighted that 80 percent of the 54 participating teams reached at least the Semi‑Finals of their domestic championships, underscoring the competitive depth across Europe.
The draw was accompanied by a club workshop that examined future opportunities for clubs, emphasizing sporting merit and the strengthening of the European basketball ecosystem.