EuroLeague 2026-27, final spot still open: Monaco and Besiktas in the mix, decision expected by 6/26

The final composition of the 2026-27 EuroLeague is not complete yet.
According to RealOlimpiaMilano, AS Monaco and Besiktas remain the two main candidates for the last available spot in Europe’s top competition.

The key point is that both clubs currently appear on the 2026-27 BKT EuroCup list with a five-year contract. However, that does not rule out their possible participation in the EuroLeague as early as next season: a five-year EuroCup license guarantees a minimum presence in the second European competition, but it does not block a club if it receives a EuroLeague wild card.

If Monaco or Besiktas were awarded the EuroLeague spot, one place would open up in the EuroCup. In that case, the annual EuroCup wild cards would increase from one to two in order to complete the 32-team field.

At the moment, the base of the next EuroLeague includes twelve clubs with multi-year licenses: Olympiacos, Real Madrid, Fenerbahce, Zalgiris, Panathinaikos, Barcelona, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Bayern Munich, Olimpia Milano, Baskonia, Anadolu Efes and ASVEL. They are joined by clubs with more limited multi-year licenses: Valencia, Crvena Zvezda, Dubai, Partizan and Virtus Bologna.

That brings the total to 17. The 18th team is Hapoel Tel Aviv, winner of the last EuroCup and already confirmed after securing a postseason spot. Two wild cards remain: according to rumors, one should go to Paris Basketball, while the final place would be contested by Monaco and Besiktas.

Meanwhile, Euroleague Basketball has announced an expanded 32-team EuroCup, divided into four groups of eight. Sixteen teams will advance to the postseason, with the Eighthfinals, Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Finals all played in best-of-three series.

Italy will be the most represented country with five clubs: Dolomiti Energia Trento, Umana Reyer Venezia, Bertram Tortona, Napoli Basketball and Basketball Club Roma. Trento, Venezia and Tortona are listed among the clubs with five-year licenses, while Napoli and Rome enter with annual participation.

The biggest name remains AS Monaco, included in the EuroCup list but still in contention to remain in the EuroLeague. The final decision on the top competition’s lineup is expected by June 26. Will it be Monaco or Besiktas?