EuroCup Basketball (EU) 2025/26

EuroCup Basketball stands as the second-tier professional men’s club competition in Europe. Organized by EuroLeague Basketball, the commercial arm of ULEB, the tournament operates directly below the premier EuroLeague level. While the EuroLeague utilizes a license system, the EuroCup serves as a significant pathway for clubs seeking progression within the continental structure. Following a rebranding from the ULEB Cup in 2008, the competition has solidified its position in the European pyramid, sitting above the Basketball Champions League and the FIBA Europe Cup.

The 2025 season features 20 teams divided into two groups of 10, competing in a round-robin format. The top eight sides from each group advance to the playoffs, which consist of two-legged ties across the Eighthfinals, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals. Success in this tournament carries substantial reward; since the 2021–22 season, the runner-up earns promotion to the EuroLeague, joining the automatic qualification spot awarded to the champion. This incentive structure highlights the competitive intensity among participating clubs.

Hapoel Tel Aviv holds the status of reigning champion after claiming the 2024–25 title. In terms of historical dominance, Valencia Basket remains the most successful club with four titles. The field includes diverse participants, ranging from established entities like Beşiktaş and Buducnost VOLI Podgorica to emerging forces such as Aris Thessaloniki and BC Neptūnas. The competition distinguishes itself through the caliber of its teams, often featuring former NBA players and sides that did not secure a place in the top-tier EuroLeague. Unlike the FIBA Europe Cup, which focuses on smaller leagues and domestic cup winners, the EuroCup maintains a higher prestige level, attracting clubs from major European nations.

The tournament’s format ensures a rigorous schedule, culminating in high-stakes knockout matches that determine the European runner-up. This structure provides a clear route for clubs aiming to elevate their status in the continental hierarchy without relying on the closed-door licensing model of the premier division.