Euroleague Extends Russian Team Suspensions and Unveils 2023-2024 Format
The Euroleague has confirmed the continuation of suspensions for Russian teams in its competitions for the 2023-2024 season. This decision comes amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and reflects the league’s stance to align with broader reactions from international sports bodies. The official announcement states that the extension is in effect for the upcoming season, underscoring the league’s commitment to ensuring competitive balance and safety for participating clubs and players.
In addition to the suspension news, the Euroleague’s shareholders meeting also approved the competition’s format and schedule for 2023-2024. A notable change is the introduction of a play-in round designed to determine the final spots in the regular season standings. This play-in will feature a single-elimination contest involving teams ranked seventh through tenth, with the higher seed enjoying home-court advantage in the opening stage. The move adds an extra layer of drama and competitiveness to the early phase of the season, giving mid-tier teams a second chance to break into the main draw.
Changes extend beyond the top-tier Euroleague and affect the EuroCup as well. The EuroCup format will see only the top six teams from each group advance to the playoffs. From these results, the two best teams in each group will also earn direct passage to the quarterfinals, thereby rewarding strong group performance with a smoother path to the late stages of the competition. These adjustments aim to sharpen the overall competitive structure and intensify the stakes for every group stage game.
On the leadership front, the association confirmed the appointment of Dejan Bodiroga as Euroleague president. Alongside him, Paulius Montiejunas has been named general manager of the competition, and Daniel Hierrezuelo from Malaga will serve as the arbitration director for events organized by the Euroleague. These appointments are positioned to guide the league through a period of strategic evolution, governance refinement, and heightened standardization across its events.
The announced reforms emphasize several core themes. First, there is a clear focus on maintaining competitive integrity in the context of an evolving geopolitical environment affecting international sports participation. Second, the play-in addition signals a willingness to innovate the schedule while preserving traditional league dynamics. Third, the streamlined progressions in the EuroCup speak to a broader intent to balance opportunity with performance thresholds, ensuring that the most consistent teams reach the postseason stages. Finally, leadership changes are presented as a move toward stronger governance and clearer accountability, with experienced executives guiding the league through its ongoing development.
For clubs, broadcasters, and fans across Canada and the United States, the 2023-2024 season promises a blend of familiar rivalries and fresh competitive angles. The combination of a longer look at the standings through the play-in, tighter playoff pathways, and tightened group-stage rules creates new narratives to follow. Observers will be watching how teams adjust their strategies for the new format, how the extension of suspensions influences roster decisions, and how leadership shifts translate into on-court outcomes. The league’s statements make clear that these measures are intended to sustain high-level play, ensure fair competition, and keep Euroleague and EuroCup events engaging for a broad, international audience. This alignment of policy, format, and leadership signals a cohesive plan aimed at strengthening the brand and competitive structure of European basketball on multiple fronts.
As the season unfolds, stakeholders will look to see how the play-in games perform in practice, how teams adapt to the playoffs structure, and how the governance changes shape dispute resolution and match officiating. The Euroleague’s continued emphasis on safety, competitiveness, and clear governance remains a central theme as the organization advances through what is expected to be a dynamic campaign for both clubs and fans in North America and beyond. [citation: Euroleague official announcement]