EuroLeague Season Preview: Power Rankings and Team Breakdowns
The 2026-27 EuroLeague season tips off tonight, four months after Olympiacos clinched the championship. This offseason saw significant player movement, with some teams strengthening considerably while others faced crises, including Monaco's exit from the league and uncertainty surrounding Villeurbanne's future. This preview ranks all 20 participating teams based on their offseason moves and roster strength.
At the bottom of the rankings, Virtus Bologna and Villeurbanne are predicted to struggle. Virtus Bologna lost key players and made uninspiring replacements, while Villeurbanne, despite hiring former star Tony Parker as coach, is hampered by financial issues and a thin roster. Baskonia and Paris are also placed low, with Baskonia seeing significant departures and Paris relying on a fast-paced style that lacked quality last season. Bayern Munich made some solid additions, including Austin Wiley from Hapoel Jerusalem, but are not expected to contend for the top spots.
Mid-tier teams include Besiktas, returning after a 13-year absence with several former Maccabi Tel Aviv players, and Partizan Belgrade, undergoing significant roster changes after Zeljko Obradovic's departure. Valencia has rebuilt its team around veteran Nikola Mirotic after a historic Final Four appearance. Crvena Zvezda aims for the playoffs despite losing key player Cody Miller-McIntyre, while Milan seeks to end a playoff drought with a revamped roster under a new coach.
Maccabi Tel Aviv enters the season amidst an ownership dispute but has retained its core players and added depth, aiming for at least a playoff spot under coach Oded Kattash. Barcelona appears to be weakening, with more pressure expected to fall on Kevin Punter. Hapoel Tel Aviv, after a successful debut season, has added talent and depth but needs time to gel, with a playoff spot as a target. Anadolu Efes has replaced departed stars Larkin and Beaubois with Mike James and other strong additions, aiming to return to the top.
Strong contenders include Zalgiris Kaunas, building a competitive roster despite a smaller budget, and the Dubai team, which has made significant upgrades with players like Tornike Shengelia and coach Xavi Pascual. Fenerbahce, under new coach Sarunas Jasikevicius, has addressed weaknesses and appears ready to compete for the title. Real Madrid, the EuroLeague runner-up, has made key signings, including former Valencia coach Martinez and player Tylek-Kabaro, and has already won the EuroLeague Supercup.
Olympiacos, the defending champion, has largely retained its title-winning squad and added strong guards, making them clear favorites for a repeat. Panathinaikos, after a disappointing exit last season, has made massive investments, bringing back coach Zeljko Obradovic and signing numerous high-profile players, making them a formidable force.
