Euroleague has announced a series of rule changes and clarifications ahead of the 2026-27 season, with major updates concerning the act of shooting, technical fouls and the replacement of the unsportsmanlike foul.
The changes will apply to the inaugural Euroleague SuperCup, as well as the 2026-27 EuroLeague and EuroCup seasons.
EuroLeague rule changes and clarifications
Act of shooting: A jump shot or other moving shot now begins when the player moves their shoulders and the ball upward toward the basket. The player must be in the frontcourt for this to count as the beginning of the act of shooting.
Drive to the basket: The act of shooting is judged separately on drives. It typically begins between the three-point line and the basket once the player gathers the ball and continues the shooting motion through release.
Rip-through: Side-to-side contact during a rip-through is always called a foul on the floor rather than a shooting foul.
Shooter’s hand: Contact with the shooter’s hand during the follow-through is legal only when it is minor and occurs cleanly after the ball has been released. Contact with the side of the hand, wrist, arm or body remains a foul.
Landing space: If a defender steps into a shooter’s landing space and the shooter’s foot lands on the defender’s foot, the contact is called a flagrant foul rather than the former unsportsmanlike foul.
Technical fouls: Technical fouls are now divided into two categories. Category 1 counts toward disqualification and includes disrespectful communication, taunting, obstructing an opponent’s vision and faking a foul. Category 2 does not count toward disqualification and includes delay of game, hanging on the rim after a dunk and defensive goaltending on the last free throw.
Unsportsmanlike foul: The unsportsmanlike foul has been replaced by two separate calls: disruptive foul and flagrant foul.
Disruptive foul: This covers contact that disrupts the flow of play and puts an opponent at a disadvantage without being serious enough to qualify as flagrant. Examples include fouling to stop a fast break or to stop the clock late in a quarter.
Flagrant foul: This covers contact that is not a legitimate basketball play or is reckless, violent or dangerous. Both disruptive and flagrant fouls carry the same penalty as the former unsportsmanlike foul, but only a flagrant foul counts toward disqualification.
Player disqualification: A player is disqualified after two Category 1 technical fouls, two flagrant fouls, or one Category 1 technical foul and one flagrant foul.
Head coach disqualification: A head coach is disqualified after two personal Category 1 technical fouls, or three Category 1 technical fouls connected to bench conduct, regardless of whether all three are charged to the bench or one is charged to the coach personally.
Other rules to know this season
These rules are not new for 2026-27, but they are Euroleague-adapted rules that differ from standard FIBA rules.
Defensive semi-circle: A secondary defender inside the semi-circle who does not jump vertically to defend will be called for a blocking foul if an airborne offensive player crashes into them from outside the semi-circle. Exceptions apply if the offensive player is not airborne at contact, catches the ball inside the semi-circle, or leads with their foot, knee or elbow.
Coach challenges: Head coaches have two challenges per game, but forfeit one if it has not been used within the first 38 minutes. A challenge can be used at any point for a situation on the Instant Replay System’s reviewable list, except to challenge which player committed a foul.
Foul identity reviews: Referees can independently review the identity of the player who committed a foul to correct a possible recording error. Coaches cannot initiate this type of review.
Bench interference: A head coach is automatically disqualified if they or anyone else on the team’s bench list steps onto the court and interferes with an opponent’s fast break.
Technical-foul warnings: Referees will no longer issue a warning before calling a technical foul for behavior or faking/flopping. Warnings remain in place for delay of game.
Fighting: Substitutes, excluded players and other bench personnel cannot enter the court during a fight. They will not automatically be disqualified for intervening to help restore order if instant replay confirms they were not involved in the incident.
Signing under protest: Only the head coach can sign the scoresheet under protest, and it must be done at the first dead ball after the disputed call. If the head coach has been disqualified, the assistant coach assumes that responsibility.
Jump ball: Games and overtime periods begin with a jump ball at center court. The team that did not gain the first possession takes the throw-in to start the second and third quarters, while the team that gained the opening possession starts the fourth quarter with the throw-in.
Endline inbounding: Players are allowed to run along the endline when taking the ball out of bounds.
Additional jump-ball situations: A jump ball between the closest two opponents is used in specific situations, including a double violation during free throws or an overturned goaltending call when neither team had control of the ball when the violation was called.
