ALBA Berlin will not return to the EuroLeague next season, ending a 24-year run in competitions organized by Euroleague Basketball.
The club officially announced it will join the Basketball Champions League for the 2025–26 campaign, marking a return to FIBA-sanctioned European competitions after more than two decades.
Berlin’s move follows years of participation at the highest level in Europe, including 12 EuroLeague and 12 EuroCup appearances, but recent seasons have highlighted growing disparities in competitiveness.
In the 2024–25 EuroLeague season, ALBA finished last with a 5–29 record, ranking 18th out of 18 teams and posting the worst point differential in the competition at -428.
CEO Marco Baldi cited shifting conditions for EuroLeague participation as a major factor in the club’s decision, pointing to sustainability, collaboration, and development as core principles of their long-term strategy.
Baldi stated, “With our values and our program geared toward economic sustainability, collaboration and the development of the sport, we want to continue to shape the future of the European basketball ecosystem.”
He also emphasized that while the club values its long-standing tradition with the EuroLeague, changes in entry conditions made continued participation unfeasible.
ALBA’s entry into the BCL aligns with broader changes in the European basketball landscape, including the March 27 joint statement by FIBA and the NBA that signaled early plans for a new professional men’s league in Europe.
The 10th edition of the Basketball Champions League will begin on October 7, 2025, with the group draw scheduled for July 2 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
BCL CEO Patrick Comninos described ALBA’s inclusion as a major milestone, citing the club’s legacy, fan base, and infrastructure as assets that strengthen the competition.
He said, “Berlin is a key market for our long-term vision, and ALBA BERLIN is a club with a strong tradition, modern arena, and a vibrant basketball community.”
ALBA originally competed in FIBA competitions between 1990 and 2001 and won the Korać Cup in 1995, the greatest international achievement in club history.
The BCL currently features 32 teams from 16 countries.
