European Powerhouses Reload: Liga Endesa and easyCredit BBL Tip Off 2025–26

European basketball enters the 2025–26 season with fresh energy, new storylines, and rosters reshaped across the continent. From powerhouse clubs reloading with big signings to ambitious challengers aiming to break through, every league offers its own drama. Spain’s Liga Endesa and Germany’s easyCredit BBL stand out as two of the deepest competitions in Europe, combining tradition, talent, and growing global attention. With EuroLeague expansion adding even more pressure to domestic schedules, fans can expect high-level basketball from October through spring. Here’s a closer look at how both leagues are shaping up for the months ahead.

Liga Endesa 2025–26 Preview

Spanish basketball tips off another fascinating year this October as the Liga Endesa 2025–26 season gets underway. The ACB remains the deepest domestic competition in Europe, balancing EuroLeague heavyweights with ambitious mid-tier challengers and hungry newcomers. After a busy summer of roster reshuffling, coaching changes, and high-profile signings, the storylines across Spain promise another season of intrigue and intensity.

League structure and calendar

The regular season begins on October 4 and stretches through late May, with 18 teams competing in the traditional double round-robin format. Each side will play 34 games before the top eight move into the playoffs. As always, the postseason will feature quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals, all in best-of-five format. Alongside the league, the Copa del Rey and Supercopa will continue to punctuate the calendar, ensuring there is rarely a quiet week for Spain’s top clubs.

A turbulent summer

The summer months once again reminded everyone of the ACB’s competitive balance. While Real Madrid enter as defending champions, they have not rested. The front office bolstered the roster with NBA forward Trey Lyles, Spanish prodigy Izan Almansa, and Czech guard David Kramer. Sergio Llull also confirmed his return, giving the club a blend of veteran.

Barca answered strongly. After falling short in recent years, the Catalans struck in the market with major moves for Tornike Shengelia and Will Clyburn. Both arrive with proven EuroLeague resumes and a desire to push Barca back to the top of Spain and Europe. Around them, the club added depth to navigate the heavy dual schedule.

Baskonia may have had the boldest approach. The Vitoria side secured guard Markquis Nowell, versatile big Mamadi Diakite, and explosive wing Hamidou Diallo. For a team already known for playing fast and relying on guard creativity, these pieces promise even more dynamism.

Valencia Basket, meanwhile, focused on depth and versatility. They landed Ike Iroegbu from Girona, Omari Moore from Australia’s NBL, and rising guard Jean Montero. Their steady growth over recent years suggests they are building a core that can consistently push into both EuroLeague qualification and ACB semifinals.

Middle pack and returning faces

Beyond the heavyweights, the ACB’s middle field has quietly improved. Unicaja Málaga continue to be one of the most disciplined rosters in Spain, blending homegrown talent with balanced imports. Dreamland Gran Canaria maintain their identity as a dangerous home team, especially in European play. Tenerife, with their consistency and veteran leadership, remain poised to capitalize if bigger clubs stumble.

The bottom of the table brings its own stories. Coviran Granada, originally relegated in spring, were reinstated after Real Betis failed to meet licensing requirements. San Pablo Burgos return to the ACB after winning promotion, bringing their passionate fan base back into Spain’s top flight. These clubs know survival depends on early home wins and cohesion across long stretches of the schedule.

EuroLeague pressure

Spain again sends multiple clubs into Europe’s premier competitions, placing strain on domestic rotations. Real Madrid and Barca headline in the EuroLeague, which expands to 20 teams this season. Valencia and Baskonia also remain heavily invested in continental competition, forcing coaches to balance minutes carefully. The test of depth will be most evident in February and March, when double-round EuroLeague weeks overlap with critical ACB fixtures.

Copa del Rey and mid-season battles

The Copa del Rey remains one of Spain’s signature basketball events, scheduled for February after the first half of the league calendar. The tournament offers both a trophy and a momentum shift, often sparking surprising runs. For ambitious mid-table teams, a strong Copa performance can energize the locker room heading into spring.

What’s new on the sidelines

Coaching changes will also shape this year’s race. A handful of benches brought in new voices with international experience, while others doubled down on continuity. As always in Spain, tactical creativity stands out — from aggressive defensive schemes to flowing offensive systems, the ACB remains a laboratory for modern basketball strategy.

Season outlook

The 2025–26 Liga Endesa campaign opens with excitement across the board. Real Madrid and Barca headline the title picture, Valencia and Baskonia push forward with revamped rosters, and traditional fighters like Unicaja, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria look to exploit any window for an upset. With promoted and reinstated clubs eager to prove they belong, every week carries weight in both the playoff race and the survival battle.

Spanish basketball never lacks drama, and this year should be no exception. From early October through the spring playoffs, the ACB will again showcase why it is the most competitive and talent-rich domestic league in Europe.

easyCredit BBL 2025–26 Preview:

The easyCredit BBL celebrates its 60th edition this fall, and the 2025–26 season begins with a sense of renewal and anticipation. Germany’s top league once again features 18 teams, including promoted sides eager to make their mark and traditional powers looking to solidify their dominance. With a revised format, roster shake-ups, and clubs balancing domestic and European schedules, the new campaign promises intensity from the opening tip in late September through to the finals next June.

Season structure and format

The league tips off on September 26 and will run through June 2026. After experimenting with a percentage-based table, the BBL returns to the traditional points system to decide standings. Each of the 18 clubs will play 34 games in the regular season. The top six advance directly to the playoffs, while teams finishing seventh through tenth compete in a play-in tournament for the final two spots. This change ensures that more clubs remain in contention deep into the season, heightening the stakes for every round.

Alongside the league, the BBL-Pokal maintains its established format. The German Cup begins with early rounds that include ProA participants, before the BBL teams join in for the knockout stages. The competition culminates in a Final Four in mid-February, giving fans a mid-season showcase and clubs another shot at silverware.

Promotion and relegation

The summer brought changes to the league composition. BG Göttingen, a staple in recent years, was relegated after finishing bottom in 2024–25. Replacing them are Science City Jena, who earned promotion as ProA champions, and Gladiators Trier, who secured their spot through the ProA playoffs. Both return to the BBL with passionate fan bases and will bring fresh energy to the league. Their challenge is clear: adapt to the pace and depth of the top division while finding enough consistency to stay out of the relegation fight.

Transfers and roster moves

Player movement across Germany was as active as ever. Bayern Munich, the reigning champions, retooled their roster with the addition of Kevin Yebo from Chemnitz and other experienced returnees, preparing themselves for another demanding season in both the BBL and EuroLeague. ALBA Berlin made several changes of their own, refreshing their rotation with new faces to strengthen a squad that competes domestically and abroad.

Elsewhere, Ratiopharm Ulm, Niners Chemnitz, and Hamburg Towers all made targeted signings to stay competitive at the top. Braunschweig became one of the talking points of the off-season, following their breakout year under coach Jesus Ramirez. Rumors around his future created uncertainty, but the club’s rise has already placed them firmly in the discussion for higher finishes. Across the league, teams invested in a mix of experienced imports and young prospects, showing once again why the BBL is regarded as both a developmental league and a growing international destination.

The competitive landscape

As the season opens, Bayern Munich remain the standard. Their depth, experience, and EuroLeague pedigree make them the team every other club measures itself against. ALBA Berlin and Ulm will again be strong contenders, while Chemnitz and Hamburg seek to build on their recent progress. The promoted sides, Jena and Trier, step in with the enthusiasm of newcomers, but survival will be their first priority. For mid-table teams, the new play-in format is both an opportunity and a warning: it keeps playoff dreams alive longer, but also punishes any dip in form late in the season.

Storylines and key moments

The opening game between Bayern Munich and promoted Jena sets the tone immediately, contrasting the experience of the defending champions with the ambition of a fresh arrival. Rivalries like Bayern against ALBA continue to define the league and draw international attention, while February’s BBL-Pokal Final Four will once again serve as a highlight of the calendar. Perhaps the most intriguing storyline will be the play-in tournament, where clubs between seventh and tenth will face elimination pressure weeks before the official playoffs even begin.

Final thoughts

The easyCredit BBL enters its 60th season with a balance of tradition and innovation. Bayern Munich remain the benchmark, but challengers from Berlin, Ulm, Chemnitz, and Braunschweig will test them every step of the way. Newly promoted Jena and Trier carry the hopes of their cities while battling to establish themselves at the top level. With a new playoff format, a competitive German Cup, and a crowded European calendar, the 2025–26 campaign promises to be one of the most captivating in recent memory.

European basketball never sleeps — from the EuroLeague to ENBL, every league tells a part of the story. Stick with us all season for coverage, scouting insights, and updates.

— DannyZHoops