Coach Zvezdan Mitrović will compete with Cedevita Olimpija in the much stronger European Cup from next season. Photo: Bojan Velikonja
Cedevita Olimpija in a much stronger European competition
The European Cup, in which Cedevita Olimpija has played in recent years, will have 32 clubs from next season, and the competition system will be much more attractive.
While the commissioner of the NBA league, David Silver, firmly asserted that the European NBA league will begin with the 2027/28 season, plans for the future are also being built for the Euroleague. Both sides have clearly expressed their readiness for cooperation and talks, which would certainly be the best for European club basketball, but at the same time they are planning moves even in the event of a scenario where no agreement is reached.
Real Madrid are also getting closer to the deal
At the board meeting, the management of the Euroleague approved a three-year plan for the further growth of the competition. President Dejan Bodiroga and general manager Chus Bueno presented the improved financial situation and confirmed the growing interest of clubs in cooperation. The board reaffirmed its decision to continue the transition of current ten-year license holders to franchises next season.
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With the 2027/28 season, the expansion of the Euroleague, which currently has 20 clubs, is planned. The interest is said to be huge and comes from cities that currently do not have a representative in the Euroleague, such as Rome, Berlin and London, although clubs from the same cities have also expressed a desire to play in the NBA European League. In the end, Asvel and Fenerbahce only extended their ten-year cooperation with the Euroleague, as almost all clubs did before, except for Real Madrid, which is also said to be getting closer.
Olympia with a five-year license?
The European Cup will undergo a complete renovation in the new season, which is especially interesting for Slovenian basketball fans, as Cedevita Olimpija is competing in the competition. From next season, 32 teams will participate in the competition, instead of 20. They will be divided into four groups of eight, and the best four from each group will advance to the playoffs. In the round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final, the teams will then play for two wins.
It is anticipated that 20 clubs will receive a five-year license to participate in the competition, and Cedevita Olimpija is expected to be among them. A few clubs will enter the competition based on their domestic league standings, while the remaining spots will be filled by one-year special invitations. “We are pleased that after this year’s season, interest in the European Cup has increased tremendously. Strengthening our secondary competition was part of our strategy. In the future, we want to maximize the sporting and commercial potential of the competition. Considering the interest of the clubs, I am sure that the European Cup will be much more interesting and attractive for clubs, players and fans from next season,” he said. Diego Guillenleader of Euroleague competitions. Participating clubs and those who will receive a five-year license are expected to be revealed in the coming days.
