The second tier of European basketball: how the FIBA Europe Cup rose to prominence
In short: Launched in 2015 to challenge the EuroCup, the FIBA Europe Cup has become a cornerstone of the European basketball calendar. Replacing the FIBA EuroChallenge, this annual professional competition provides a vital platform for clubs across the continent to showcase their talent on the international stage.
The FIBA Europe Cup (FEC) serves as the second-level professional basketball competition organized by FIBA for eligible European clubs. It was officially established in 2015, functioning as a replacement for the previous FIBA EuroChallenge. The creation of the league was strategically announced on June 30, 2015, as a way for FIBA to compete with Euroleague Basketball's EuroCup, with the initial intention of allowing up to 100 teams to enter the fray.
The tournament structure has evolved significantly since its inception. In its inaugural 2015–16 season, the competition featured 16 domestic champions and 8 runners-up. While the first edition concluded with a Final Four tournament—won by the Frankfurt Skyliners—the format has transitioned. The Final Four approach was eventually abandoned in favor of a two-legged final series, though the league has since reintroduced a Final MVP trophy as of 2020.
The competition's reach is vast, having seen 140 clubs from 38 different FIBA member countries participate. Success has been distributed across seven countries, though Italian clubs have emerged as the most successful participants, with two titles and three runner-up finishes. The league's complexity has also grown through its relationship with the Basketball Champions League; since the Champions League began in 2016–17, clubs can transfer to the Europe Cup based on their standings.
A regular season involving 48 clubs split into eight groups marks the start of the tournament proper. Using a round-robin format with home and away games, the top two clubs from each group advance to the second round, where 16 clubs are split into four groups. This structure ensures a rigorous path toward the championship, which is ultimately decided by a two-legged final.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: FIBA Europe Cup
- Also: Wikidata — FIBA Europe Cup · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — FIBA EuroCup Challenge · CC0
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