ALBA BERLIN, the 22-time German champion and one of Europe’s most storied basketball clubs, will compete in the 2025–26 season of the Basketball Champions League (BCL), marking a significant return to FIBA-organized competitions after 24 years in Euroleague Basketball tournaments.
The move sees the capital city club rejoin the FIBA fold for the first time since the 2000–01 season, having previously played 11 seasons in FIBA competitions. ALBA BERLIN’s most notable achievement came in 1995, when the club captured the FIBA Korac Cup — the greatest triumph in its history.
The decision to join the BCL, now entering its 10th season, reflects a shift in strategic priorities for ALBA BERLIN, aligning with the evolving dynamics of European basketball.
“By joining the Basketball Champions League, we are entering an exciting new chapter and responding to the changing landscape of European basketball,” said ALBA BERLIN Managing Director Marco Baldi. “With our values and our program — focused on financial sustainability, collaboration, and the development of the sport — we want to continue helping shape the future of the European basketball ecosystem.”
Baldi emphasized that the move is also a response to recent challenges in accessing EuroLeague competition: “The conditions for securing a EuroLeague spot have changed dramatically in recent years.”
The announcement comes on the heels of the March 27 joint statement by FIBA and the NBA to explore a new professional men’s league in Europe — a broader initiative to reshape the continent’s club basketball structure.
BCL CEO Patrick Comninos hailed the inclusion of ALBA BERLIN as a major milestone: “ALBA BERLIN’s commitment to the BCL is a positive vote of confidence. They bring with them a rich tradition, a vibrant basketball community, and an impressive grassroots program. Berlin is a key market for our long-term vision.”
In Germany, BCL games are broadcast by DYN, and the competition has grown steadily in stature. The current 2024–25 season features 32 clubs from 16 countries. The season’s structure includes a Regular Season group stage, followed by Play-Ins, a Round of 16, and Quarter-Finals.
This weekend, the BCL Final Four will determine the 2025 champion, with AEK Athens, Galatasaray, Unicaja, and La Laguna Tenerife vying for the title in Athens.
The group draw for the 2025–26 BCL season is scheduled for July 2 in Lausanne, Switzerland, and the season will tip off on October 7, 2025.
Related topics:
