Real Madrid and Barcelona could leave the EuroLeague to play in the 2026-2027  BCL season

Pending the launch of NBA Europe, Real Madrid and Barcelona could leave the EuroLeague to play in the 2026-2027  BCL season. This information was reported by gazzetta.gr.

The situation is far from settled, but the EuroLeague’s shareholder clubs and signatories of multi-year licences have reportedly urged the two Spanish clubs to decide on their future by the end of the year. Real Madrid, Barcelona, ASVEL and Fenerbahçe have not yet signed the new multi-year agreement with EuroLeague Basketball.

It should be noted that there are currently 13 shareholder clubs. As well as the aforementioned four, these are Baskonia for the ACB, Anadolu Efes for the BSL, Panathinaikos and Olympiacos for the GBL, Olimpia Milano for the LBA, Zalgiris Kaunas for the LKL, Maccabi Tel Aviv for the Winner League, Bayern Munich for the BBL and CSKA for the VTB. However, the latter is currently suspended from competition due to the war.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are reportedly considering leaving the EuroLeague to sign up for the next BCL, while awaiting the launch of NBA Europe. It’s a viable option, but only an option. This is also because the NBA project is still in the planning stages — concrete plans, but nothing more.

What about the other two? ASVEL is now leaving the EuroLeague, partly due to an unclear regulatory situation. Fenerbahçe, on the other hand, could also sign a new agreement with EuroLeague Basketball after the change in presidency.

In short, the situation remains heated. Real Madrid and Barcelona moving to the BCL would raise the level of FIBA competition but, at the same time, discredit the European cup season. What if the NBA Europe project were to be postponed by a year or two, compared to the hypothetical start in 2027-2028? All we can do is wait and see.