Europe’s top club basketball competition is back. The 2026-27 EuroLeague season tips off on Thursday, September 24, 2026, with 20 of the continent’s biggest clubs chasing a spot at the Final Four in late May. Here is the full season format, the key dates from opening night to the championship, the marquee clubs to watch, and a free printable season planner.
2026-27 EuroLeague: quick facts
- Season tips off: Thursday, September 24, 2026
- Teams: 20 clubs across 10 countries
- Regular season: 38 rounds, home and away, through April 16, 2027
- Final Four: May 28 to 30, 2027
- Defending champion: Olympiacos
2026-27 EuroLeague key dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Regular season tips off | Thu, Sep 24, 2026 |
| Regular season ends (Round 38) | Fri, Apr 16, 2027 |
| Play-In tournament | Apr 20 & 23, 2027 |
| Playoffs | Apr 27 to May 12, 2027 |
| Final Four | May 28 to 30, 2027 |
Download the free printable EuroLeague season planner
The one-page planner has the key dates, the format at a glance, and the marquee clubs. Print it and keep the whole season straight.
Download the printable 2026-27 EuroLeague planner (PDF)
How the 2026-27 EuroLeague format works
All 20 teams play a 38-round regular season, facing each other home and away. When it ends in April, the top six clubs advance straight to the best-of-five playoffs. The teams finishing seventh through tenth drop into a Play-In tournament for the last two playoff berths, while clubs 11th through 20th are eliminated. The four playoff winners then meet at the single-site Final Four, two semifinals and a final over one weekend, to crown the champion.
Marquee clubs to watch
Defending champion Olympiacos headlines a loaded field that includes Spanish giants Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, Greek power Panathinaikos, Turkish contenders Fenerbahce and Anadolu Efes, Lithuania’s Zalgiris Kaunas, and Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv. The 20-club field spans Spain, Greece, Turkey, France, Germany, Italy, Serbia, Israel, Lithuania, and the UAE, with a handful of berths rotating each season through license agreements and EuroCup promotion.
How to watch the EuroLeague in 2026-27
EuroLeague games stream globally through the league’s official platform, and coverage is available in the United States via the league’s streaming service. Check your regional listings for the exact broadcaster in your country, as EuroLeague media rights vary by market.
More from Sports Brackets
Track more of the basketball calendar and grab free printables at SportsBrackets.net.
Frequently asked questions
When does the 2026-27 EuroLeague season start?
The regular season tips off on Thursday, September 24, 2026, and runs 38 rounds through April 16, 2027.
How many teams play in the EuroLeague?
Twenty clubs compete in the 2026-27 EuroLeague, playing a home-and-away regular season.
How do the EuroLeague playoffs work?
The top six teams advance directly to the playoffs, teams seventh through tenth play a Play-In for the final two berths, and the four playoff winners meet at the Final Four.
When is the 2027 EuroLeague Final Four?
The Final Four is scheduled for May 28 to 30, 2027.
