EuroLeague has provided a major update on its franchise expansion process, with 11 proposals advancing to the next stage and binding offers representing almost €700 million in franchise fees.
The update was delivered Tuesday, August 25, during a meeting of the Board of Shareholders of Euroleague Commercial Assets (ECA), which reviewed the implementation of the league’s long-term strategic roadmap and the transition toward a new franchise model.
The process, officially launched in July, is targeting up to eight new long-term franchises for the 2027-28 season and has attracted more than 20 formal expressions of interest and proposals from existing EuroLeague and EuroCup clubs, as well as new investment projects.
The 20-team lineup that will compete in the 2026-27 EuroLeague season #EveryGameMatters pic.twitter.com/mq4oqkuqm8
— EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) June 26, 2026
EuroLeague franchise expansion reaches next stage
Following an initial assessment based on established criteria and valuation levels, 11 proposals have been pre-accepted and will now move into the second phase of the franchise application process. Four additional proposals remain on hold.
The 11 pre-accepted candidates are now submitting formal binding offers, with the combined franchise fees approaching €700 million. The league expects those projects to generate more than €3.2 billion in total investment over the next five years.
Interest has come from a wide range of markets, including established European basketball countries and new investment projects from continental Europe and the Middle East.
EuroLeague will now conduct a more extensive due diligence process on each of the 11 proposals before making its final recommendations to the Owners.
That decision is expected at the end of September 2026, when the Owners will vote on the final transition to the franchise model and determine both the number and names of the clubs included in the first stage of the expansion.
New agreements with players, coaches and officials
The ECA Board also received an update on several important stakeholder agreements as EuroLeague prepares for its next phase.
The league has signed an agreement with the Euroleague Basketball Head Coaches Board (EHCB), establishing the foundation for the development of the first comprehensive framework agreement with the head coaches’ union.
EuroLeague is also set to renew its agreement with the Union Euroleague Basketball Officials (UEBO), with the new agreement expected to be signed this weekend during the 27th Pre-Season Clinic for Officials in Wroclaw.
Those agreements complement the existing EuroLeague Framework Agreement with the EuroLeague Players Association (ELPA).
Together, the agreements bring players, head coaches and officials into a more coordinated framework as EuroLeague prepares for what could be the biggest structural change in the competition’s history.
EuroLeague targets further growth
The franchise expansion is part of EuroLeague’s broader strategic plan, which targets a collective enterprise valuation of €2.5 billion within three seasons.
The league also confirmed that its management has held constructive discussions with senior NBA and FIBA executives regarding potential areas of future collaboration in European basketball.
The next major step will come at the end of September, when EuroLeague Owners are expected to review the due diligence process and vote on the final transition to the franchise model, including the number and names of clubs selected for the first stage of expansion.
