The EuroLeague expansion plan is taking shape, with Valencia, Paris Basketball, Dubai and four other clubs reportedly selected for permanent franchise status from the 2027-28 season.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport on Monday, November 9, the proposed structure also includes four three-year wildcards, with the final decision expected at a Board meeting before the end of the month. The competition plans to increase from 20 to 24 teams next season, before potentially reaching 28 in 2030.
The six clubs reportedly chosen for permanent franchise status are Valencia Basket, Paris Basketball, Dubai Basketball, Maxima Roma, Hapoel Tel Aviv and PAOK Thessaloniki. Partizan Belgrade, Crvena Zvezda, Virtus Bologna and Napoli Basketball are expected to receive three-year wildcards.
The distinction is significant. The six new franchises would receive the same status as existing shareholders after paying entry fees reportedly ranging from €50 million to €90 million. The four wildcard recipients would instead receive priority consideration for two additional permanent licenses during the planned 2030 expansion.
The proposed arrangement would also reshape the competition’s Italian representation. Armani Olimpia Milan would retain its permanent place, while Maxima Roma would reportedly become the country’s second permanent franchise. Virtus Bologna and Napoli Basketball would join through three-year wildcards, increasing Italy’s presence from two clubs to four.
That would put Italy alongside Spain as the most represented country. Valencia is among the proposed permanent additions and currently sits third in the 2026-27 standings with a 7-3 record. Dubai is sixth at 7-3, while Hapoel Tel Aviv occupies ninth place at 6-4.
Paris Basketball, another reported franchise selection, is 14th with a 4-6 record. Virtus Bologna is 15th at 4-6, while Partizan sits 11th at 5-5. Crvena Zvezda is second with a 7-3 record.
The reported selections come as EuroLeague shareholders consider a wider group of expansion candidates. Hapoel Jerusalem and Aris have joined the original applicants, alongside London Lions and other clubs seeking places in the competition. The proposed list reported by La Gazzetta would leave several of those projects outside the initial expansion.
The financial structure is another major part of the plan. The six new franchises are reportedly expected to generate approximately €400 million in combined entry fees, with around €30 million going to each of the 13 current shareholder clubs.
The expansion is also progressing alongside the NBA’s plans for a European competition from next season. The NBA reportedly envisages permanent franchises in Milan and Rome, making the EuroLeague’s reported choices of Armani Olimpia Milan and Maxima Roma significant as the two projects compete for the same markets.
The EuroLeague Board meeting before the end of November is therefore a crucial step. The proposed 2027-28 structure, including the franchise selections and wildcard allocations, still requires approval.
