# Euroleague basketball expansion and franchise model > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/euroleague-basketball-expansion-and-franchise-model > Updated: 2026-09-11T00:13:00.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 3. Euroleague Basketball is transitioning toward a franchise-based model, with plans to expand from 20 to 24 teams starting in the 2027-28 season. This expansion aims to increase the league’s global value and commercial reach through the addition of up to eight new long-term franchises. Following a Board of Directors meeting in Barcelona, the league confirmed that 21 of the 24 spots are intended to be fixed, mirroring North American professional sports systems. Thirteen existing license holders, including Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Fenerbahçe, are set to retain their positions. The remaining spots will be filled via new franchises, wild cards, or EuroCup qualification. Currently, 11 candidates have been pre-approved for the next evaluation phase, having submitted binding offers totaling nearly 700 million euros in entry fees. Total projected investment for infrastructure and participation is expected to exceed 3.2 billion euros over the next five years, with JB Capital estimating the league’s total value could reach 4.3 billion euros by 2027. Pre-approved candidates include clubs such as PAOK, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Partizan, Roma Maxima, Virtus Bologna, Dubai BC, Paris, London Lions, Valencia, and Napoli. Additionally, Hapoel Jerusalem has submitted an initial framework proposal for a long-term franchise. As the process moves forward, club owners are expected to hold a pivotal shareholders’ assembly in early October, potentially near Lake Como, Italy, organized by Olimpia Milano. This meeting will address the transition toward the closed 24-team system and reportedly consider a potential partnership or proposal from the NBA, alongside the development of an ‘NBA Europe’ project. Recent developments indicate that if an agreement is not reached with the NBA regarding a potential takeover of the league, European clubs will proceed with the expansion to 24 teams. ## Claims - The Euroleague will expand from 20 to 24 participants starting next season. (disputed by 3 sources) - Eleven offers have been pre-approved and moved to the next evaluation phase. (disputed by 2 sources) - Euroleague CEO Chus Bueno announced that more than 12 binding offers have been received for franchise participation. (disputed) - The Euroleague plans to increase the number of teams to 24 starting from the 2027-28 season. (disputed) - Greek clubs PAOK and Aris have expressed interest in joining the league via the franchise model. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The names of all participants will be announced in September. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The league aims to award up to eight new long-term franchises for the 2027/28 season. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Thirteen existing clubs will retain their licenses. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Total investment from the pre-approved offers is expected to exceed 3.2 billion euros over five years. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Euroleague has signed an agreement with the Euroleague Coaches Association to establish a framework agreement. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The 11 accepted candidates submitted binding offers totaling nearly 700 million euros in franchise fees. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-11: EuroLeague considers expansion and long-term franchise model EuroLeague is considering expanding to 24 teams and introducing a long-term franchise model by the 2027/28 season, with Partizan and Crvena zvezda among potential candidates for new licenses. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/euroleague-considers-expansion-and-long-term-franchise-model ### 2026-08-25: EuroLeague to expand to 24 teams under new franchise model EuroLeague will expand to 24 teams for the 2027-28 season, adopting a franchise model with 21 permanent spots and over 3.2 billion euros in projected investment. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/euroleague-plans-expansion-to-24-teams-via-franchise-model ### 2026-08-14: Greek football and EuroLeague face significant structural shifts Greek clubs compete for UEFA coefficient standing while EuroLeague announces a major format change for the 2027-28 season involving more teams and a regionalized system. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-football-and-euroleague-face-significant-structural-shifts --- Cite as: Euroleague basketball expansion and franchise model. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/euroleague-basketball-expansion-and-franchise-model