ABA League at a Crossroads: Expansion, New Stars, and Fresh Format for 2025–26

The Adriatic Basketball Association (ABA) League continues to evolve as one of Europe’s most dynamic regional competitions. From its roots in 2001 as a platform for clubs from the former Yugoslavia, it has grown into a highly competitive league with international reach, passionate fan bases, and a strong reputation for producing world-class talent. The 2025 offseason has been especially eventful, with format changes, expansion announcements, and major player moves shaping the future of the competition.

A New Format for a New Era

One of the biggest headlines is the format change for the 2025–26 season. Traditionally, the ABA League operated as a single-division, round-robin competition. Starting next season, however, the league will expand to 18 teams, split into two groups of nine.

This new structure is designed to balance the growing number of participants while keeping the season manageable. Each team will play home-and-away games within its group, with selected crossover matchups against the other group. The playoffs will then bring the top teams together for the traditional knockout battles.

For fans, this means more games, new rivalries, and the chance to see clubs from emerging basketball markets compete alongside regional powerhouses. For players, it means a platform that’s increasingly similar to Europe’s top-tier competitions like the EuroCup and EuroLeague.

Expansion Teams Bring New Flavor

The ABA League’s appeal now stretches far beyond the Balkans. For the 2025–26 season, two newcomers are set to join: U-BT Cluj-Napoca from Romania and Vienna from Austria. Their inclusion reflects the league’s commitment to growing the brand beyond its traditional base.

Cluj-Napoca is one of Romania’s premier basketball programs, with domestic titles and EuroCup experience under its belt. Vienna, meanwhile, represents a fresh market for Adriatic basketball, bringing Austrian fans into the fold for the first time.

These additions follow the high-profile entry of Team Dubai in the 2024–25 season. Dubai’s participation signaled the ABA League’s ambition to become a more global competition, attracting investment and attention from outside Europe. Together, these moves make the ABA one of the most diverse and geographically wide-reaching leagues on the continent.

Partizan’s Triumph and a Fiery Final

The 2024–25 season came to a thrilling conclusion with Partizan Belgrade defeating Budućnost Podgorica in the ABA League Finals. The victory reinforced Partizan’s status as one of the league’s historic powerhouses. Backed by passionate supporters and a tradition of producing elite talent, the Belgrade club once again reminded Europe why Serbian basketball continues to be a force.

Budućnost, however, remains a consistent contender and showcased its depth throughout the season. The rivalry between Serbian and Montenegrin basketball has become one of the league’s central storylines, and fans can expect more drama in the coming years.

Bryce Jones: Scoring King and Rising Star

The 2025 ABA League individual awards, announced by Eurobasket.com, placed the spotlight on Bryce Jones of Igokea. Jones not only claimed Guard of the Year honors but also led the league in scoring. His combination of quickness, shot creation, and leadership made him one of the most exciting players to watch this season.

Following his breakout campaign, Jones signed with Aris Thessaloniki in Greece for the 2025–26 season. His move highlights the ABA’s reputation as a launchpad for players looking to reach bigger stages in European basketball. Many past stars—including Nikola Jokić, Goran Dragić, and Dario Šarić—used the ABA as a stepping stone before achieving international stardom.

Beyond the Court: Fans, Fantasy, and Fun Facts

The ABA League isn’t just about what happens on the hardwood. The AdmiralBet ABA Basketball Fantasy competition continues to engage fans in new ways. For the 2024–25 season, Boštjan Klemenčič won Round 29, highlighting the growing culture of fantasy basketball within Europe.

Another fun fact: the ABA has consistently served as a bridge to the EuroLeague. In several seasons, the champion has earned a direct ticket to Europe’s top competition, further raising the stakes for clubs in the region.

Looking Ahead

With its expanded format, new markets, and strong tradition, the ABA League is set for an exciting future. The 2025–26 season will be historic, marking the league’s largest participation ever and providing new rivalries for fans to enjoy. As clubs from Romania, Austria, and Dubai settle in, the competition will test its balance of tradition and innovation.

The ABA remains one of Europe’s most passionate and unpredictable basketball stages. Whether it’s powerhouse duels in Belgrade, surprise runs from rising teams, or breakout stars like Bryce Jones, the Adriatic League continues to prove why it’s essential viewing for European basketball fans.