In the absence of the most important game of the season, the Euroleague 2025/2026 begins to take shape. This Sunday 25, Fenerbahçe and Monaco will be disputed to be the new king of Europethe Turks for the second time and the Monegasques to release their record. But in the previous party, the Euroleague CEO, Paulius Motiejunas has already given clues about the direction that the competition will take for the future.
In a press conference prior to this final, Motiejunas has attended the media and has made several things clear; The number of teams, without going any further: “We are ready to have 20 teams. Clubs will make a decision, but we believe we are ready for this change”.
A figure that would mean add two sets to the competition, which this year has had 18 participants. But after the decline in Berlin Alba, the Euroleague has several suitors: “100% Dubai next year? No. They are on the list and we will let you know soon.” While two national teams could enter such as the Joventut de Badalona and Valencia, with Motiejunas admitting that “we are talking to them.”
Commitment from Barça and Madrid, Puerta Open to Russia
On the other hand, the Euroliga CEO closed ranks before the rumors of an arrival of the NBA to Europe, specifically mentioning the assistance of Barça and Madrid at the meetings of the competition: “Son fake news that were not in the last meetings. They were with us “.
In addition, Lithuanus has also mentioned the situation of the prohibition of participation to Russian teams, wishing the return of their clubs: “I hope that Moscow's CSKA will return to Euroleague soon. The Zenit can return to this level of competition. “
And outside the clubs, more focused on individual players, Motiejunas has not shown any concern about the escape of young talent, which is doing Europe's bags to land in the United States: “The players escaping the NCAA I think it is temporary, I imagine many of them then returning to Europe. The Euroleague cannot do anything, everything is from FIBA. “
The Final Four will return to Europe
Without ruling out that the title is decided again in Abu Dhabi, Motiejunas has also assured that next year it will not repeat: “We want to analyze the return, but it will not be next year. The Final Four of the Euroleague of 2026 will be in Europe”.
Finally, the CEO of the competition also valued the possibility of a format change. Not eliminating the Final Four, much less, but combining the Euroleague with the Eurocup: “The Eurocup final instead of a game for third place we have discussed it many times In recent years. “
