Bulgarian Cup 2026/27

The Bulgarian Basketball Cup stands as the premier knockout competition in the nation's basketball calendar. Officially sponsored by efbet and known as the efbet Cup, the tournament operates alongside the National Basketball League (NBL), which crowns the league champion through a points-based season and playoffs. While the NBL determines the national title, the Cup offers a distinct single-elimination route to a separate domestic trophy and a pathway to European competitions, specifically the FIBA Europe Cup, for non-league qualifiers or cup winners.

Founded in 1951 and organized by the Bulgarian Basketball Federation (BBF), the competition has evolved significantly since its inception. The current structure relies on a "Final Eight" format, a model adopted in 2009 that concentrates quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final into a single weekend at a neutral venue. Although brief exceptions occurred between 2017 and 2019 when matches were played as two-legged ties, the condensed format has remained the standard. Participation is restricted to the top eight clubs from the NBL regular season for the main stages, a change from earlier eras when lower-division teams could enter preliminary rounds.

Historical dominance is heavily concentrated in Sofia. CSKA Sofia holds the record with 17 titles, narrowly edging out Levski Sofia, who have secured 16 victories. Academic Sofia follows in third place with 11 wins. CSKA Sofia also achieved a unique feat by winning four consecutive titles between 1989 and 1992. Beyond the capital, clubs such as Balkan Botevgrad, Lukoil Academic, and Cherno More have demonstrated significant success, with some achieving three-peat streaks in the tournament's history. Recent editions have seen varied winners, with Chernomorets Burgas claiming the 2024 title and Cherno More Ticha taking the 2025 edition, reflecting a shift in competitive balance in recent years.