Hopes are over. The EuroLiga was cancelled thus ending the basketball season in Europe. In addition to the EuroLeague, the EuroCup, a competition organised by the same entity, is also cancelled. The cancellation of the main basketball competition in Europe and one of the most important in the world was hinted by several journalists linked to the competition and was later confirmed in a statement published on the competition’s official website.
The Euroleague Executive Committee, made up of the eleven shareholder clubs, has decided to cancel the current 2020 season of the Euroleague and the Eurocup, the two main European basketball club competitions due to the difficulty of resuming them. The next Euroleague season will start on October 1 and the Eurocup on September 30, as confirmed after a meeting with the eleven shareholder clubs.
“Having explored each of the possible options, the Executive Committee has decided to cancel the 2019-20 Euroleague and Eurocup season” as well as the ‘Adidas Next Generation’ and ‘EuroLeague Academy’ training tournaments, the organisation announced in a statement. Among the reasons provided by the shareholders is the protection of the health of players, fans and coaches, the “evolution of COVID-19 in the different territories of the Euroleague and the Eurocup” which “does not guarantee that all teams they can do their training and prepare under the same conditions. “
Likewise, the Euroleague recognises that the different restrictions on travel in European countries “does not guarantee that all teams can travel to the designated destinations for the matches” and that if they have resumed, a training period of fewer than three weeks could cause “an increased risk of injury” to players.
The championship managers thank the “many cities and regions” in Europe that have offered to host the final stages of the Euroleague and Eurocup. “Without a doubt, it has been the most difficult decision we have had to make in our 20-year history. For reasons beyond our control, we have been forced to cut the most successful and exciting season in the history of European basketball” CEO of the Euroleague, Jordi Bertomeu said. In the last 2.5 months after the suspension of the competition due to the coronavirus pandemic in March, all the agents involved “maintained their determination” to end the season, but have had to cancel it due to “forces above of everyone’s control.”
An exceptional situation
“Obviously we had many motivations to continue the 2019-20 season, but in an exceptional situation, we had to put people’s health ahead of any other interest,” added Bertomeu. The CEO of the Euroleague declared himself “especially proud” of the clubs and their owners “for the courage in their decisions and their generous contribution to their communities in such difficult times.”
This decision is taken after several entities have opposed a return of competition due to health risks.
20/21 Season
The 2020-21 season of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague will feature 18 teams: ALBA Berlín, Anadolu Efes Istanbul, AX Armani Exchange Milano, Crvena Zvezda, CSKA Moscow, FC Barcelona, FC Bayern Munich, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, Khimki, KIROLBET Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv, Olympiacos Piraeus, Panathinaikos OPAP Atenas, Real Madrid, Valencia Basket, Zalgiris Kaunas and Zenit St Petersburg
The 2020-21 season of 7DAYS EuroCup will reserve spaces for the teams that qualify for the 2019-20 quarter-finals: AS Monaco, Partizan NIS Belgrade, Promitheas Patras, Segafredo Virtus Bologna, Tofas Bursa, Umana Reyer Venezia, Unicaja Malaga, and UNICS Kazan. The remaining 16 slots will be granted to teams best positioned in their national league’s final ranking. Much as the previous seasons, a team list will be submitted to the EuroCup Council for approval by the ECA Board.
By contrast to previous seasons, Euroleague training camps 2020/21 are going to take longer times so players can regain their physical and mental shape. To ensure optimum conditions for all participants during the season, the League and clubs continue to track the progress of COVID-19, maintaining strong ties with government and public health officials. EuroLeague Basketball will do everything possible to support the rehabilitation efforts of the community and to initiate individual activities in the League. EuroLeague Basketball will discuss ways of organising a successful opening season event to mark EuroLeague’s return.
A great success in Europe
This season, fans have once again set records on their support, and this enthusiasm will continue to provide the players, trainers, referees, league managers and clubs with the best competitive basketball. Some of the data of the EuroLeague 2019-20 season*:
15% growth in fan interest in EuroLeague markets, with a positive trend in each one. France, Israel, Turkey, Spain, and Germany registered the highest growth rates.
15% growth in the television audience, with impressive increases in France, Italy, Israel and Germany
2-digit growth on digital platforms, including followers, reach, video views and participation, as well as unique users, page views and sessions on euroleague.net
12% growth in assistance and 75% occupancy in the arena
*Data coming from the Nielsen Sports, Blinkfire Analytics and EuroLeague clubs,