The wait is almost over. The 2026-27 EuroLeague season tips off on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Twenty clubs will chase the biggest prize in European club basketball across 38 rounds. Defending champions Olympiacos Piraeus open their title defence on the road. Real Madrid, the 2026 runners-up, start their own campaign at home. This guide covers what you need before the first ball is tipped. You’ll find the season format, the Round 1 schedule, and the biggest storylines. We also show you exactly where to check live scores and standings once the games begin.
We wrote this guide as a season-long companion, not a one-time news post. Bookmark it. As rounds are played, come back for updated context. You’ll find the latest on the standings, the contenders, and the next big matches.
EuroLeague 2026-27 at a Glance
- Season start: Thursday, September 24, 2026
- Season end (regular season): Friday, April 16, 2027
- Format: 20 teams, 38-round home-and-away schedule
- Playoff spots: Top 6 teams advance directly to the best-of-five playoffs
- Play-In Showdown: Teams ranked 7th to 10th play for the final two playoff places (April 20 and 23, 2027)
- Playoffs: April 27 to May 12, 2027
- Final Four: May 28 and 30, 2027, host city still to be confirmed
- Defending champions: Olympiacos Piraeus (their 4th EuroLeague title)
- 2026 runners-up: Real Madrid
- New team this season: Beşiktaş Istanbul, replacing AS Monaco
- Opening game: Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Olympiacos Piraeus, Thursday, September 24
Now let’s go deeper. Below, we cover how the format works, who the favorites are, and what to watch for in the opening weeks.
How the EuroLeague Format Works
The EuroLeague uses a single round-robin format. Every one of the 20 clubs plays every other club twice, once at home and once away. That adds up to 38 regular-season games per team and 380 games across the whole competition.
The regular season alone decides most of the postseason picture. Here is how the table splits at the end of Round 38:
- 1st to 6th place: Go straight into the best-of-five quarterfinal playoffs.
- 7th to 10th place: Enter the Play-In Showdown for the final two playoff spots.
- 11th to 20th place: Season over. No relegation, but no postseason either.
This format rewards consistency. A club cannot hide from a bad opponent or a tough road trip. Every team faces every other team twice. That is also why EuroLeague standings can shift fast over a single week. Checking live tables regularly matters once the season is underway.
When Does the 2026-27 EuroLeague Season Start?
The season begins on Thursday, September 24, 2026. According to the official EuroLeague season preview on Olympics.com, seven games are scheduled for that opening Thursday. Tip-off is 18:00 CEST. The remaining three games follow on Friday, September 25.
The headline fixture of opening night sends defending champions Olympiacos Piraeus on the road to Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz. Starting a title defence away from home is never easy. It sets an early tone for how hard Olympiacos will have to work to repeat.
The regular season then runs through the winter and into spring. It concludes on Friday, April 16, 2027, after Round 38. From there, the Play-In Showdown, the playoffs, and the Final Four decide the champion.
Round 1 Fixtures: What to Watch on Opening Night
Here are the confirmed Round 1 matchups reported ahead of tip-off. These come from the official schedule release from EuroLeague Basketball and Eurohoops’ schedule coverage:
| Date | Matchup | Storyline |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Sept 24 | Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Olympiacos Piraeus | Defending champions open on the road |
| Thu, Sept 24 | Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs. Zalgiris Kaunas | Jonas Valančiūnas debuts for his hometown club |
| Thu, Sept 24 | LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne vs. Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv | Patty Mills makes his EuroLeague debut at 38 |
| Thu, Sept 24 | Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens vs. Paris Basketball | Greek giants open at home |
| Fri, Sept 25 | Fenerbahçe Tarfin Istanbul vs. Virtus Bologna | 2025-26 semifinalist begins a fresh campaign |
| Fri, Sept 25 | Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Armani Olimpia Milan | Serbian club hosts an Italian giant |
| Fri, Sept 25 | Beşiktaş Istanbul vs. Valencia Basket | Beşiktaş’s first EuroLeague home game since replacing AS Monaco |
The remaining opening-round games complete the full 10-fixture, 20-team slate. Check the official round-by-round schedule for the complete, confirmed list and any last-minute time changes.
Three Storylines Defining the Start of the Season
A few individual and team storylines stand out heading into opening night.
1. Jonas Valančiūnas Comes Home
After 14 seasons in the NBA, Jonas Valančiūnas signed a two-year deal with Žalgiris Kaunas in July. He will play club basketball in his home country for the first time since leaving Rytas Vilnius back in 2012. Valančiūnas represented Lithuania at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics. His return gives Žalgiris an experienced, high-profile centre for their EuroLeague campaign.
2. Patty Mills Debuts at 38
At LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, Patty Mills makes his first-ever EuroLeague appearance at age 38. He signed a one-year deal in August. The Australian guard played 1,020 NBA games and won the 2014 NBA title with the San Antonio Spurs. He also played in five Olympic Games, from Beijing 2008 to Paris 2024. He led the Australian national team to its first Olympic medal, a bronze at Tokyo 2020. At ASVEL, he reunites with head coach Tony Parker, his former Spurs teammate.
3. Beşiktaş Replaces Monaco
The only roster change to the 20-team field this season is Beşiktaş Istanbul stepping in for AS Monaco. That gives Turkey three EuroLeague clubs this season, alongside Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahçe. It also sets up an extra Turkish derby storyline once Beşiktaş and Efes meet later in the schedule.
Key Dates to Circle on the 2026-27 Calendar
Beyond opening night, several high-profile matchups are already confirmed on the calendar. According to the official schedule announcement, these are the biggest dates to watch:
| Round | Date | Game |
|---|---|---|
| Round 7 | October 22, 2026 | Anadolu Efes vs. Beşiktaş (first Turkish derby of the season) |
| Round 7 | October 22, 2026 | Partizan vs. Crvena Zvezda (first Serbian derby of the season) |
| Round 11 | November 12, 2026 | Hapoel Tel Aviv vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv (first Israeli derby of the season) |
| Round 13 | November 20, 2026 | Olympiacos vs. Real Madrid (rematch of the 2026 Championship Game) |
| Round 15 | December 3, 2026 | FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid (the season’s first El Clásico) |
| Round 16 | December 11, 2026 | Panathinaikos vs. Olympiacos (first Greek derby of the season) |
The Olympiacos-Real Madrid rematch in Round 13 is especially worth marking on your calendar. It brings back the two teams that met in the 2026 Championship Game. Fans get an early measuring-stick game between the champion and the runner-up, long before the season reaches its final stretch.
Looking Back: How the 2025-26 Season Ended
Context from last season helps explain who the favorites are this time around. According to Wikipedia’s summary of the 2025-26 EuroLeague, Olympiacos won their fourth EuroLeague title. They beat Real Madrid in the Championship Game. Evan Fournier was named Final Four MVP, while Valencia Basket and Fenerbahçe Beko rounded out the Final Four as semifinalists.
Individual honors from last season also tell a story about which players and teams to watch closely this year:
- Season MVP: Sasha Vezenkov, who also led the league in scoring at 19.0 points per game and claimed the Alphonso Ford Trophy as the league’s top scorer
- Rebounds leader: Nikola Milutinov, at 7.2 per game
- Assists leader: Codi Miller-McIntyre, at 7.4 per game
- Playoffs MVP: Jean Montero, who also won the Rising Star award
- Coach of the Year: Pedro Martínez
- Play-In MVP: T.J. Shorts
Vezenkov’s dominant, MVP-and-scoring-title season for Olympiacos was a major reason the club went on to win the championship. It is a reminder that the top individual stat leader and the eventual champion are often the same team. That is rarely a coincidence.
Why the Regular Season Matters More Than in Other Leagues
The EuroLeague’s 38-game round-robin format is longer than most European basketball schedules. That length matters. A short slump rarely defines a season here.
Compare that to a shorter, group-based format. In a small group, one bad week can end a season early. In the EuroLeague, a club has 38 chances to prove itself. That is one more reason early standings should be read carefully, not as a final verdict.
This also affects roster planning. Coaches must manage minutes across a long season. Player rotation becomes just as important as star talent. Teams that stay healthy through the winter often outlast teams that rely on just two or three key players.
What to Watch in the First Month of the Season
The first month of any EuroLeague season sets an early tone, even if it does not decide anything. Here is what typically stands out early:
- New signings settling in. Fresh imports like Patty Mills and returning veterans like Jonas Valančiūnas often take a few games to find their rhythm with new teammates.
- Early derby atmosphere. Local rivalries, such as the Turkish and Serbian derbies in Round 7, tend to draw bigger crowds and higher intensity than a typical midweek game.
- Coaching adjustments. New head coaches, or coaches with new rosters, often experiment with lineups and rotations before settling into a consistent system.
- Injury news. A long European season means injuries are common. How a team responds to an early injury to a key player says a lot about its depth.
None of these factors decide a title by themselves. Together, though, they shape which teams look like genuine contenders once the calendar reaches November and December.
Comparing This Season to Recent EuroLeague History
Recent EuroLeague seasons have shown just how competitive this format can be. Last season, Olympiacos beat Real Madrid for the title. The season before, a different mix of teams reached the Final Four. That pattern repeats often.
Few clubs manage back-to-back titles in the EuroLeague’s current format. The long regular season and the physical toll of a deep playoff run make repeating extremely difficult. That history is worth remembering as Olympiacos begins its title defence this season.
It also explains why so many clubs enter the year with real belief. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Fenerbahçe, and Valencia Basket have all reached a Final Four in recent seasons. Each knows the gap between a good regular season and a title is thin.
How EuroLeague Scores Compare Across Rounds
Once the season begins, scores will vary widely from round to round. A single 38-round season includes blowouts, nail-biters, and everything in between. Tracking scores over time, not just one game, gives a clearer read on a team’s real form.
A good habit is to check a team’s last five results together, rather than judging from a single game. A close loss to a top team often means less than a comfortable win over a struggling one. Context always matters more than the final score alone.
Who Are the Favorites for the 2026-27 Title?
It is still very early. Even so, a handful of clubs enter the season with a genuine case as title favorites, based on last season’s results and this summer’s roster moves.
- Olympiacos Piraeus: The reigning champions return with continuity and the psychological edge of having already beaten this season’s other top contenders in the biggest game of the year.
- Real Madrid: Last season’s runners-up will want to go one step further, and their early Round 13 clash with Olympiacos will be an important gauge of where both teams stand.
- FC Barcelona: A perennial contender, and this season’s El Clásico date against Real Madrid in Round 15 is one of the most anticipated regular-season games on the calendar.
- Fenerbahçe: Last season’s semifinalists return with a roster capable of another deep playoff run.
- Valencia Basket: Also a Final Four team last season, and one of the more consistent mid-table-to-contender clubs in recent EuroLeague history.
As always in a 38-game round-robin format, early form matters most over time. The clearest signal usually comes from the first 10 to 15 rounds, not from a single opening-night result.
Why EuroLeague Basketball Draws a Global Audience
EuroLeague basketball is not just a European story. Fans across Asia, Africa, and the Americas follow the league closely. Many arrive through star players who once played in the NBA.
Jonas Valančiūnas and Patty Mills are two clear examples this season. Both spent years playing in North America. Both now bring that global fan base with them into the EuroLeague.
This cross-over appeal has grown steadily over the past decade. More NBA-experienced players now choose Europe for the later stages of their careers. Better pay, shorter travel, and a strong competitive level all play a part in that shift.
For fans new to the league, this is good news. Recognizable names make it easier to follow a new competition. A player you already know from the NBA can be your entry point into a full EuroLeague season.
EuroLeague vs Other European Basketball Competitions
The EuroLeague sits at the top of European club basketball, but it is not the only competition. Understanding where it fits helps put the season in context.
The EuroCup sits just below the EuroLeague in prestige. Teams that do not qualify for the EuroLeague often compete there instead. A strong EuroCup season can sometimes lead to EuroLeague qualification the following year.
The FIBA Europe Cup sits at a third tier. It brings together a wider range of clubs from across the continent, including many that would not otherwise compete in a pan-European competition. The 2026-27 FIBA Europe Cup runs alongside the EuroLeague season, offering another useful reference point for European club form.
Domestic leagues also continue throughout the EuroLeague season. Most EuroLeague clubs play in their national league at the same time. That means a club like Real Madrid or Olympiacos is managing two competitions, plus a demanding travel schedule, all at once.
Tips for New EuroLeague Fans
If this is your first season following EuroLeague basketball, a few habits make it easier to stay on top of things.
- Pick a team to follow closely. Following one club’s full 38-game season is more manageable than trying to track all 20 teams equally.
- Learn the derby dates early. Rivalry games, like the ones listed in the calendar table above, tend to be the most entertaining and highest-stakes matches of the regular season.
- Check standings weekly, not daily. Because every team plays roughly once or twice a week, checking the table every few days gives a clearer picture than refreshing it constantly.
- Watch for injury news. A single missing star can change a team’s outlook for weeks, especially during the busiest parts of the schedule.
- Follow the stat leaders. Points, rebounds, and assist leaders, like the ones listed from last season above, often point to which teams are playing the best team basketball.
These small habits make a long 38-round season much easier to follow, without needing to watch every single game.
How to Watch EuroLeague Basketball
Broadcast rights vary by country and change from season to season. The best approach is to check locally before every round. Here is where to start:
- EuroLeague’s official website and app: euroleaguebasketball.net lists official broadcast partners by territory, along with schedules, box scores, and standings.
- Regional sports networks: Many countries carry EuroLeague games through dedicated sports channels or streaming bundles. Check your local provider’s channel guide for “EuroLeague” or “basketball.”
- Club media channels: Several EuroLeague clubs stream selected home games through their own official channels when regional rights allow it.
- Official EuroLeague social channels: Highlights, box scores, and key moments are usually posted quickly after each game. This is a good backup if a live broadcast is not available where you live.
Please use only official or licensed broadcasters and streaming services. Unofficial streams are often low quality and can carry security risks for your device.
How to Track Live EuroLeague Scores and Standings
This guide is meant to be useful all season, not just for opening night. Here is exactly where to check live scores, box scores, and the current standings once Round 1 tips off:
- EuroLeague’s official standings page: Updates automatically after every game and includes tiebreakers.
- EuroLeague’s official schedule and results page: Shows box scores, quarter-by-quarter scoring, and player statistics for every completed game.
- Major sports data sites: General sports score sites also track EuroLeague results and standings in real time, alongside other European competitions.
- Team-specific pages: Each of the 20 clubs maintains its own results and news section, useful if you are following one team closely through the season.
Standings can shift significantly after just one or two rounds in this round-robin format. A live source is always more reliable than any single article, including this one, for the exact current table.
Common Mistakes When Reading Early-Season Standings
Early standings can be misleading if you do not know what to look for. A few common mistakes are worth avoiding.
Mistake 1: Judging a team by one game. A single blowout loss or win rarely reflects a team’s true level. Look at a run of games instead.
Mistake 2: Ignoring strength of schedule. Two teams can have identical records after five rounds, even if one has faced much tougher opponents. Check who a team has actually played before drawing conclusions.
Mistake 3: Overreacting to injuries. A short-term injury to a role player often matters less than fans assume. A long-term injury to a star player matters far more, and it is worth tracking separately.
Mistake 4: Forgetting home and away splits. Some teams perform very differently at home compared to on the road. A club’s overall record can hide a much weaker away record underneath it.
Avoiding these mistakes makes it easier to spot genuine title contenders early, rather than getting distracted by a hot or cold start that will not last.
Understanding the Play-In Showdown and Playoffs
The Play-In Showdown is one of the more unusual features of EuroLeague’s format compared to other major basketball leagues. There is no single tiebreaker game. Instead, the four teams that finish 7th through 10th compete across two rounds, on April 20 and 23, 2027, for the final two playoff spots.
Once the eight-team playoff field is set, the postseason moves to a best-of-five format for each round. That field combines the top six direct qualifiers with the two Play-In winners. That is longer than the single-elimination or shorter series used in some other competitions. It tends to reward the deepest, most well-rounded rosters, rather than a team that just gets hot for a game or two.
The Final Four is scheduled for May 28 and 30, 2027. It brings together the last four teams standing for a single-elimination weekend that decides the champion. The host city had not yet been announced as of this guide’s last update.
Frequently Asked Questions: EuroLeague Basketball Scores & Standings
Q: When does the 2026-27 EuroLeague season start?
A: The season starts on Thursday, September 24, 2026, with seven games. Three more games follow on Friday, September 25.
Q: Who won the EuroLeague last season?
A: Olympiacos Piraeus won the 2025-26 EuroLeague, their fourth title, beating Real Madrid in the Championship Game. Evan Fournier was named Final Four MVP.
Q: How many teams are in the EuroLeague?
A: Twenty teams compete in the 2026-27 EuroLeague. Beşiktaş Istanbul is the only new team this season, replacing AS Monaco.
Q: How does the EuroLeague playoff format work?
A: The top six teams after 38 regular-season rounds advance directly to the best-of-five playoffs. Teams that finish 7th to 10th play in the Play-In Showdown for the final two playoff spots.
Q: When is the EuroLeague Final Four?
A: The 2027 Final Four is scheduled for May 28 and 30, 2027. The host city had not been confirmed as of this guide’s last update.
Q: Where can I check live EuroLeague scores and standings?
A: The official EuroLeague website has live standings and box score pages that update after every game. Links are in the “How to Track Live EuroLeague Scores and Standings” section above.
Q: Who are the favorites to win the 2026-27 EuroLeague?
A: Several clubs enter as leading contenders based on last season’s results. That group includes defending champions Olympiacos Piraeus, 2026 runners-up Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Fenerbahçe, and Valencia Basket.
Q: When is the first Olympiacos vs. Real Madrid game this season?
A: They meet in Round 13 on November 20, 2026, a rematch of the 2026 Championship Game.
Q: When is El Clásico in the EuroLeague this season?
A: FC Barcelona hosts Real Madrid in Round 15 on December 3, 2026.
Q: Who is Jonas Valančiūnas playing for this season?
A: Valančiūnas signed with Žalgiris Kaunas, returning to Lithuanian club basketball after 14 seasons in the NBA.
Q: How can I watch EuroLeague games?
A: Broadcast options vary by country. Check the official EuroLeague website for local broadcast partners. You can also look for basketball coverage on regional sports networks and streaming services in your area.
Q: How long is the EuroLeague regular season?
A: The 2026-27 regular season runs 38 rounds, from September 24, 2026, to April 16, 2027. Every team plays every other team both home and away.
Sources and Further Reading (Backlinks)
The schedule details, format information, and historical results in this guide come from EuroLeague’s official channels and established basketball outlets. For live scores, standings, and ongoing season coverage, see:
- EuroLeague Basketball — The 2026-27 EuroLeague Schedule Is Official
- EuroLeague Basketball — Official EuroLeague Website
- Olympics.com — EuroLeague 2026-27: All Teams, Olympic Stars in Action, Schedule, and How to Watch Live
- Eurohoops — EuroLeague Releases Full Schedule for the 2026-27 Season
- Wikipedia — 2025-26 EuroLeague
- Wikipedia — 2025-26 EuroLeague Regular Season
- Wikipedia — EuroLeague
- Wikipedia — Jonas Valančiūnas
- Wikipedia — Patty Mills
- Wikipedia — 2026-27 FIBA Europe Cup
More basketball and general sports coverage from our network:
- Sports Tamasha — daily sports news, previews, and how-to-watch guides
- Sports News Era — sports news, results, and analysis
- Sports Dastak — live sports updates, schedules, and features
For our ongoing football coverage this season, see our Champions League fixtures and predictions guide and our Premier League Golden Boot race tracker as well. Every external link above is directly relevant to the EuroLeague schedule, format, or its players and clubs. Quality and relevance matter more than link count, so when you update this article each round, replace outdated links rather than adding unrelated ones.
About the EuroLeague
The EuroLeague is the top-tier men’s club basketball competition in Europe, run by EuroLeague Basketball. Twenty clubs from across the continent, plus Dubai Basketball, compete in a 38-round, home-and-away regular season. A Play-In Showdown, best-of-five playoffs, and a Final Four then crown the champion. Olympiacos Piraeus are the defending champions heading into the 2026-27 season. It begins on September 24, 2026, and concludes with the Final Four in late May 2027.
About This Guide and Disclaimer
This guide is written for general information and reflects the schedule and reports published at the time of writing. Kick-off times, broadcast details, and rosters can change. Live scores and standings also update constantly once the season begins, so always confirm current information on EuroLeague’s official channels. This article will be updated as the season progresses.
