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The NBA continues to advance its expansion into Europe through a new competition created in partnership with FIBA, scheduled to begin in October 2027. As the project takes shape, more details are being unveiled. George Aivazoglou, the NBA’s general manager for Europe and the Middle East, has confirmed the 12 cities that will host teams with guaranteed places in the tournament.
In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, he revealed the first 12 confirmed participants: Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Rome, London, Manchester, Paris, Lyon, Berlin, Munich, Athens, and Istanbul. Four additional spots will be awarded based on sporting criteria. One will go to the champion of the Basketball Champions League, organized by FIBA, and the remaining three will be assigned according to domestic league results.
The inclusion of cities with limited basketball tradition, such as Manchester, stands out. However, the NBA has already acknowledged that it is working with powerful football institutions like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain. Other major global football clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, and Inter Milan are also expected to be involved.
On the other hand, Belgrade, one of the strongest basketball markets in Europe, will not have a permanent place. Partizan and Red Star draw some of the largest crowds in the EuroLeague, averaging around 20,000 fans per game. Their only path into the competition would be through the ABA League or the Basketball Champions League.
Looking ahead, the NBA and its European division may also collaborate on additional joint initiatives. In recent months, there has been speculation about European teams potentially taking part in the NBA Cup, and there is growing interest in creating a Club World Cup similar to the one FIFA held last summer.
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| LA LIGA | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | |||
| POS | TEAM | M | +/- | P |
| 1 | Real Madrid | 11 | 16 | 30 |
| 2 | Barcelona | 11 | 15 | 25 |
| 3 | Villarreal | 11 | 12 | 23 |
| 4 | Atletico Madrid | 11 | 11 | 22 |
| 5 | Real Betis | 11 | 6 | 19 |
| 6 | Espanyol | 11 | 2 | 18 |
| 7 | Getafe | 11 | -1 | 17 |
| 8 | Alaves | 11 | 1 | 15 |
| 9 | Elche | 12 | -1 | 15 |
| 10 | Rayo Vallecano | 11 | -2 | 14 |
| 11 | Athletic Club | 11 | -2 | 14 |
| 12 | Celta Vigo | 11 | -1 | 13 |
| 13 | Sevilla | 11 | -2 | 13 |
| 14 | Real Sociedad | 12 | -3 | 13 |
| 15 | Osasuna | 11 | -3 | 11 |
| 16 | Levante | 11 | -5 | 9 |
| 17 | Mallorca | 11 | -7 | 9 |
| 18 | Valencia | 11 | -10 | 9 |
| 19 | Oviedo | 11 | -12 | 8 |
| 20 | Girona | 11 | -14 | 7 |
| POS | TEAM | M | +/- | P |
| 1 | Bayern München | 4 | 11 | 12 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 4 | 11 | 12 |
| 3 | Inter | 4 | 10 | 12 |
| 4 | Manchester City | 4 | 7 | 10 |
| 5 | Paris Saint Germain | 4 | 9 | 9 |
| 6 | Newcastle | 4 | 8 | 9 |
| 7 | Real Madrid | 4 | 6 | 9 |
| 8 | Liverpool | 4 | 5 | 9 |
| 9 | Galatasaray | 4 | 2 | 9 |
| 10 | Tottenham | 4 | 5 | 8 |
| 11 | Barcelona | 4 | 5 | 7 |
| 12 | Chelsea | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| 13 | Sporting CP | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| 14 | Borussia Dortmund | 4 | 2 | 7 |
| 15 | Qarabag | 4 | 1 | 7 |
| 16 | Atalanta | 4 | -2 | 7 |
| 17 | Atletico Madrid | 4 | 1 | 6 |
| 18 | PSV Eindhoven | 4 | 2 | 5 |
| 19 | Monaco | 4 | -2 | 5 |
| 20 | Pafos | 4 | -3 | 5 |
| 21 | Bayer Leverkusen | 4 | -4 | 5 |
| 22 | Club Brugge KV | 4 | -2 | 4 |
| 23 | Eintracht Frankfurt | 4 | -4 | 4 |
| 24 | Napoli | 4 | -5 | 4 |
| 25 | Marseille | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| 26 | Juventus | 4 | -1 | 3 |
| 27 | Athletic Club | 4 | -5 | 3 |
| 28 | Union St. Gilloise | 4 | -8 | 3 |
| 29 | Bodo/Glimt | 4 | -3 | 2 |
| 30 | Slavia Praha | 4 | -6 | 2 |
| 31 | Olympiakos Piraeus | 4 | -7 | 2 |
| 32 | Villarreal | 4 | -4 | 1 |
| 33 | FC Copenhagen | 4 | -8 | 1 |
| 34 | Kairat Almaty | 4 | -9 | 1 |
| 35 | Benfica | 4 | -6 | 0 |
| 36 | Ajax | 4 | -13 | 0 |
| LA LIGA | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | |
| Kylian Mbappé | 13 Goals | Real Madrid |
| J. Álvarez | 7 Goals | Atletico Madrid |
| Ferran Torres | 5 Goals | Barcelona |
| Etta Eyong | 5 Goals | Levante |
| Vinícius Júnior | 5 Goals | Real Madrid |
| B. Varga | 6 Goals | Ferencvarosi TC |
| V. Osimhen | 6 Goals | Galatasaray |
| E. Haaland | 5 Goals | Manchester City |
| H. Kane | 5 Goals | Bayern München |
| Kylian Mbappé | 5 Goals | Real Madrid |
