The EuroLeague has provided a major update on its franchise expansion process, confirming that 11 proposals have advanced to the next stage. Binding offers represent nearly €700 million in franchise fees, while estimates suggest total investments over the next five years could exceed €3 billion.
Partizan President Ostoja Mijailovic was the first to confirm that the black-and-whites are among the clubs advancing to the next phase of the EuroLeague franchising process.
According to earlier reports, alongside Partizan, the other clubs to advance past the first phase are Crvena Zvezda, Dubai, Valencia, Maxima Roma, PAOK, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Napoli, London Lions, Paris, and Virtus.
However, securing the status of a permanent EuroLeague franchise will not come cheap for clubs aiming to become an integral part of the competition’s future.
According to reports from today, these 11 clubs have passed the first stage in the process of potentially becoming EuroLeague franchises:
— Basketball Sphere (@BSphere_) August 25, 2026
⚪ Partizan
⚪ Crvena zvezda
⚪ Dubai
⚪ Valencia
⚪ Roma Maxima
⚪ PAOK
⚪ Hapoel Tel Aviv
⚪ Napoli
⚪ London Lions
⚪ Paris
⚪ Virtus… pic.twitter.com/qPCHfDb1Md
How much will clubs pay?
As reported by Aris Barkas, 3 of the 11 candidates will have to wait for the next expansion wave. The clubs that ultimately make the final cut will have to pay a hefty franchise fee of €80 million.
The 3 teams that fall short will join Aris, Besiktas, Hapoel Jerusalem, and Roma SPQR, who did not clear this evaluation stage.
EuroLeague targets further growth
The franchise expansion is a cornerstone of the EuroLeague’s broader strategic plan, which targets a collective enterprise valuation of €2.5 billion within three seasons.
The league also confirmed in its official statement that management has held constructive discussions with senior NBA and FIBA executives regarding potential areas of future collaboration in European basketball.
The next critical step will come at the end of September, when EuroLeague owners are expected to review the due diligence process and vote on the transition to the franchise model – including the precise number and identity of the clubs selected for the first expansion wave.
