The Basketball Champions League (BCL) will once again place Samokov, Bulgaria, at the center of European basketball as it hosts the qualifying tournaments for the competition’s eleventh season. Over the course of one week, the city will welcome 48 teams competing for the final two places in the regular season, in a tournament set to bring together national champions, historic clubs, and emerging teams from across the continent. Following the organizational success of 2025, the BCL decided to repeat the formula and once again trust a host city that left a positive impression on players, coaches, and officials alike.
From September 14 to 20, 2026, the modern Samelyon Arena will be the venue where the final regular-season participants are determined. The choice of Samokov reflects not only the quality of its facilities but also the goal of providing a competitive environment capable of ensuring equal conditions for all participants. Backed by a well-established logistical operation and the support of Rilski Sportist and the Bulgarian Basketball Federation, the city is preparing to host a decisive week that will pave the way for the official start of the BCL season on October 6.
Samokov strengthens its role as the home of the European qualifiers
The decision to return to Samokov reflects the confidence that the Basketball Champions League organization has placed in the work carried out during the previous edition. Both qualifying tournaments will once again be played at the Samelyon Arena, a venue inaugurated in 2025 with a capacity of 3,000 spectators and located just 60 kilometers from Vasil Levski Airport in Sofia. The sports infrastructure, together with the availability of training facilities and accommodation for the participating teams, was among the aspects most highly praised by the clubs.
BCL Chief Executive Officer Patrick Comninos emphasized that the decision was made after listening to feedback from the clubs, one of the competition’s most important stakeholders. According to Comninos, the overwhelmingly positive comments received after last year’s event confirmed that Samokov offered the best possible conditions to host the qualifying stage once again. He also recalled that the format produced memorable stories in 2025, when Elan Chalon, Patrioti Levice, and Bursaspor successfully advanced to the regular season, setting a precedent that raises expectations for this year’s edition.
Two tournaments will decide the final regular-season places
The qualifying phase will be divided into two independent tournaments, each awarding one place in the regular season. Qualifying Tournament 1 will feature eight national champions and runners-up from leagues that are not directly represented in the regular season. Teams such as Patrioti Levice, Bakken Bears Aarhus, Fribourg Olympic Basket, and CSM CSU Raiffeisen Oradea will compete in a knockout bracket, with the winner joining Group C alongside AEK BC, Falco KC Szombathely, and Windrose Giants Antwerp.
Qualifying Tournament 2, meanwhile, will feature a 16-team bracket including several clubs with a rich tradition in European basketball. Among them are VEF Riga, SL Benfica, Rio Breogan Lugo, Promitheas Patras BC, RASTA Vechta, Manchester Basketball, and hosts Rilski Sportist, who will look to capitalize on home support. After progressing through the Round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals, the tournament champion will claim the final available place in Group F, where Hapoel Holon, Cholet Basket, and Spartak Office Shoes are already waiting, completing the lineup for the eleventh BCL season, which officially begins on October 6, 2026.
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