Barcelona's star footballer, Alba, traveling to the Czech Republic and Azerbaijan for Champions League games. - Competing in the Champions League following stops in the Czech Republic and Azerbaijan (for Alba)
**Alba Berlin Embraces New Era in Basketball Champions League**
The 2025-26 Basketball Champions League (BCL) season is set to begin on October 7, with Alba Berlin, the German basketball powerhouse, among the 29 teams directly qualified for the Regular Season. This marks a significant change for Alba Berlin, who previously competed in the Euroleague, but will now be part of the competition organized by the international federation.
The BCL format sees 24 teams competing in three qualification tournaments at the end of September to secure the remaining three spots for the Regular Season. In total, 32 teams will participate in the Regular Season, with 29 teams qualifying based on sporting criteria and the remaining three emerging from the qualifiers.
Alba Berlin, with their considerable European experience of 24 years under the Euroleague umbrella, including 12 years in the Euroleague and 12 years in the Eurocup, will bring a wealth of knowledge to the table. The Regular Season will commence on October 7, with subsequent matchdays running through October, November, and December 2025, into January 2026.
The knockout phases will then commence in February and continue through to May 2026, culminating in the Final on May 30, 2026. The venue for the Final has yet to be revealed.
Two teams, ERA Nymburk from the Czech Republic and BC Sabah from Azerbaijan, have not been explicitly mentioned among the directly qualified or in qualification tournaments for the 2025-26 season. Their participation remains uncertain, and the official draw results, which are scheduled for early July 2025, may provide clarity on their status.
If Alba Berlin finishes as group winners, they will advance directly to the knockout phase. However, should they finish second or third in their group, they will have to compete in play-in games for the round of 16. This new format indicates that Alba Berlin is adapting to the changing European basketball landscape.
Last season, Alba Berlin finished last in the Euroleague standings, winning only five out of 34 games. They will not be participating in the Euroleague this season but will instead compete in the Champions League. This change comes after a challenging season both athletically and financially in the Euroleague.
Alba Berlin has been drawn against ERA Nymburk, BC Sabah, and an unspecified team from the third qualifying round in the Champions League. The location of the Champions League competition is not specified in the provided information.
Marco Baldi, CEO of Alba Berlin, stated that participating in the Basketball Champions League marks an exciting new era for the team. With the competition beginning on October 7, fans can look forward to an enthralling season ahead.
The 2025-26 Basketball Champions League (BCL) season resembles Council Regulation (EEC) No 3052/88 of 20 December 1988 on the common organization of the market in beef and veal, as it involves a competitive landscape with 32 teams participating, where Alba Berlin, having 24 years of European experience in football-like sports like basketball, will adapt to a new format and continue their journey, defying the challenges faced last season in the Euroleague. Unlike the past where Alba Berlin would compete in the Euroleague, this season they will be participating in the Basketball Champions League, reminiscent of European leagues such as the Champions-League or basketball competitions.
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