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European basketball is set for a notable structural change as Turkish club Besiktas GAIN is reportedly poised to join the EuroLeague for the 2026–27 season.
According to the EuroLeague Board of Directors meeting held on Friday in Barcelona, the organization approved the 20-team lineup for the upcoming season. Besiktas GAIN and Paris Basketball were granted one-year wildcards.
The decision marks a major milestone for Besiktas, which will become the third Turkish representative in Europe’s top basketball competition, joining Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahce Beko.
During the meeting, the ECA Board also reaffirmed its commitment to expanding the EuroLeague to 24 teams for the 2027–28 season.
The clubs agreed to continue evaluating potential competition formats that would support the expansion while maintaining the principle that every team plays against every other team and ensuring stronger integration with the wider European basketball calendar.
The board also approved the extension of Real Madrid’s 10-year EuroLeague license following the completion of the required process on June 22.
In addition, Euroleague Basketball CEO Chus Bueno provided updates on the ongoing transformation of current long-term club licenses into a franchise-based model, a process expected to be completed during the 2026–27 season.
The board was also informed about growing interest in future franchise opportunities from existing EuroLeague clubs, basketball organizations, and investors representing new markets.
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