EuroLeague shareholders approve Besiktas entry and potential expansion

The EuroLeague shareholders unanimously approved the entry of the Turkish club Besiktas into the competition for the 2026/27 season. Besiktas will replace Monaco, marking its return to the premier European basketball competition after a 14-year hiatus since the 2012/13 season. The club earned this spot as a EuroCup finalist after Bourg declined to exercise its right to participate as a competition holder. Initial discussions considered proceeding with 19 teams and a round of byes, but the addition of Besiktas was ultimately prioritized. Additionally, shareholders of the ECA are planning to approve an expansion of the EuroLeague to 24 teams starting from the 2027/28 season. This structural change is expected to introduce a regional format. Under this proposed system, teams would play opponents within their own region twice and teams from the other region once.