On Friday, the Euroleague presented the key financial pillars of its 10-year business plan, which was approved by all 13 shareholder clubs.
The plan outlines a long-term growth strategy that focuses on increasing the value of the league and its clubs, expanding the league through two rounds of franchise expansion, and strengthening the clubs’ financial sustainability.
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The plan’s goal is to significantly increase the League’s commercial revenue and financial distributions to participating clubs, while creating new opportunities for investment and expansion.
Overall, over the next 10 years, the League projects a distribution of 3.4 billion euros to participating teams, an amount derived from 2.2 billion euros in revenue and 1.2 billion euros in participation fees (franchise fees).
As part of its 10-year business plan, Euroleague Basketball aims to achieve annual commercial revenue of 648 million euros by the 10th year.
This goal is based on the League’s track record, having quintupled its commercial revenue over the past decade. Financial returns to the clubs are projected to reach 2.2 billion euros over the 10-year period, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to sharing the value it generates with participating clubs.
This expansion is another key pillar of the 10-year strategy. Euroleague Basketball currently has 15 binding offers on the table, with a total value of 1.2 billion euros, reflecting the interest in participating in the league’s future growth. The business plan projects €1.2 billion in revenue from franchise fees through two potential expansion rounds, scheduled for 2027 and 2031.
These amounts will be added to the commercial revenue shares received by participating clubs, creating further opportunities to increase the financial resources available throughout the league.
Based on current estimated valuations —1.8 billion euros for all licensed clubs and 1.4 billion euros for the league—the plan projects significant long-term growth over the next decade.
The transition to a franchise model is expected to bring about an immediate increase in the value of both the clubs and the league, starting with the 2026–27 season, with a projected 25% increase in value.
By the end of the 10-year time horizon, the total value of existing licensed clubs is estimated to reach 5.4 billion euros —a threefold increase—while the league’s value is projected to rise to 7.98 billion euros, an amount equivalent to 5.7 times its current estimated value.
The transition to the franchise model is designed to provide a long-term framework for investment, stability, and commercial growth, while allowing clubs to benefit from the growing value of the competition as a whole.
The long-term sustainability of the clubs remains a central objective of the plan. While today approximately 40% of licensed clubs are considered financially sustainable, Euroleague Basketball estimates that all licensed clubs will achieve financial sustainability by the end of the first phase of its 10-year business plan. “A growing number of our licensed clubs have achieved sustainable financial operations in recent years, with 40% currently in this position. All clubs view full financial sustainability as a top priority, and the 10-year business plan places it squarely at the center,” said Xavi Puyanta, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Euroleague Basketball.
“The value of the EuroLeague and its clubs is growing at a very rapid pace, and this trend will accelerate further as we implement the business plan and the clubs continue to make their own progress. The clubs will retain ownership of a valuable asset, without incurring any additional risks or investments on their part.”
Euroleague Basketball also plans to further strengthen its Financial Fair Play regulations in line with the conclusions reached by the 13 shareholders during their meeting at Lake Como, in order to support clubs on their path toward long-term financial sustainability, while ensuring continued investment in strategic growth areas, such as technology and innovation.
At the heart of this transformation is “Euroleague Basketball+,” an initiative by the organization aimed at creating the digital home of European basketball.
At the same time, the modernization and development of sports facilities will remain a key priority. This effort is supported by the newly established “VenueCO,” which is designed to provide participating clubs and other stakeholders with access to funding and expertise, with the aim of building, upgrading, and maximizing the use of their facilities.
In parallel with these measures, the clubs have continued to develop their revenue-generating capabilities. Average revenue per match has doubled over the past three years, while commercial revenue has increased by 50% over the last three seasons.
*photo source: KYPE
