EuroLeague 2027-28: The Franchise Era Officially Begins, Partizan Ready to Pay 75 Million Euros for a Slot

Starting from the 2027-28 season, the EuroLeague will enter a brand new era by officially switching to a franchise model. This is one of the biggest changes in European basketball history, marking a shift from an open system based on sporting performance to a closed one where clubs own permanent participation rights through financial investment. Currently, 13 clubs holding the A-License will become the founding franchises. These include giants like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Fenerbahçe, Olympiacos, and CSKA Moscow. However, the EuroLeague does not stop at 13. According to the plan, 8 new franchise slots will be added, bringing the total to 21 teams. Partizan Belgrade is one of the hottest candidates for one of those eight slots. Shortly after being re-elected as Partizan president, Ostoja Mijailovic made stunning statements during the shareholders' meeting. He confirmed that Partizan has applied to become a EuroLeague franchise and that the review process is progressing positively. The financial figure is remarkable: if approved, Partizan will pay an initial installment of €12.5 million. The total cost for a franchise slot is expected to range between €40 million and €75 million, depending on negotiations and the brand value of each club. The €75 million figure sounds enormous, but for Partizan, it is a strategic investment. The Belgrade club is one of the most popular in Europe, with over 2 million social media followers and a packed home arena – the Štark Arena with a capacity of over 18,000 seats. Compared to the current model, where Partizan must fight hard every season to qualify through the domestic league (ABA League) or play-offs, the franchise model offers revenue stability and long-term development planning. But the EuroLeague franchise shift is not just a Partizan story. The entire European basketball ecosystem will change. The franchise idea has been highly successful in the NBA, where teams are independent business entities without relegation fears, and franchise values consistently rise over time. The EuroLeague is learning from that model but with its own identity: not completely closed, as new franchise slots can still be sold, and there may be a promotion mechanism for lower-tier teams meeting financial and facility criteria. However, not everyone supports this change. Smaller clubs lacking financial power fear that the EuroLeague will become a “rich club”, killing competitiveness and opportunities for underdogs. Domestic leagues like Spain’s ACB, Italy’s Lega Basket, and the EuroCup – the second-tier competition – will also be heavily affected by losing their most attractive teams. In fact, there have been heated debates between FIBA and the EuroLeague over the privatization of European basketball, which goes against the continent’s open sports tradition. Nevertheless, from an economic perspective, the franchise move is inevitable. The EuroLeague currently operates as a club alliance, with revenue mainly from broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and ticket sales – but lacks a clear profit distribution mechanism. Switching to a franchise model means each team will own equity in the league, benefit from collective growth, and have a say in strategic decisions. The league’s overall value will also increase, attracting more external investors, especially from the US and the Middle East. Back to Partizan, spending up to €75 million is a big gamble. But with Ostoja Mijailovic back in charge – a man with business experience who once helped Partizan overcome financial crisis – experts believe this is a calculated decision. If Partizan does not secure a franchise slot, they will continue struggling through qualifiers and risk missing valuable commercial opportunities as the EuroLeague enters a new growth phase. The future of the EuroLeague after 2027 will be hotter than ever. Negotiations over franchise fees, exclusivity terms, and profit sharing will remain the focus. For Partizan, they are ready for the biggest game in Serbian basketball history. The question is: who will take the remaining 8 slots? Names like Crvena Zvezda, AS Monaco, and Valencia are also lurking. The race for permanent EuroLeague spots has officially begun. European basketball is changing every day. And Partizan – with €75 million on the negotiation table – is one of the pioneers.