Manchester Basketball are thrilled to announce that it has received confirmation of its participation in the FIBA Champions League Qualification Round from the Board of the Basketball Champions League.

Last season was the first time a professional franchise from Manchester competed in European competition since the 1990s, making history, finishing runners up in the European Northern Basketball League.

This season will see Manchester compete in the Qualification Round of the Basketball Champions League in the competition’s eleventh season. The Basketball Champions League is FIBA’s premier European competition, the top-tier competition in FIBA's club pyramid.

“We had a great run in the ENBL last season, reaching a European final in the franchise’s first ever European adventure. Entering the Basketball Champions League Qualification Rounds is a signal of intent for us,” commented CEO Claire Bradbury.

“Having Manchester compete in European competition has been an ambition of the ownership since they took over the franchise. There is a hunger in Manchester for elite sport and we are delighted to represent the city further, and British Basketball, on the European stage.”

“We would like to thank both FIBA and Manchester City Council for our franchise in continuing to grow the sport we love.”

FIBA have announced 24 clubs that will compete in the Qualification Round which will be drawn into two tournaments, with the winner of each tournament advancing to the Regular Season.

Manchester are one of 16 teams in the Representation 2 Qualification Round, these are as follows:
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BC Vienna (AUT); BK Opava (CZE); Dziki Warszawa (POL); Fitness First Wurzburg Baskets (GER); Lions de Geneve (SUI); Manisa Basket (TUR); Kolossos H Hotels BC (GRE); Landau Lions (AZE); Manchester Basketball (GBR); Promitheas Patras BC (GRE); Rilski Sportist (BUL); Rio Breogan (ESP); SL Benfica (POR); RASTA Vechta (GER); VEF Riga (LAT) and Denizli Basket (TUR).

The Qualification Round tournaments will take place from September 14 to 20, while the Regular Season will get underway on October 6, 2026.

The draw ceremony for the Regular Season groups and the Qualification Round tournaments will take place at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball in Mies, Switzerland on Wednesday, July 8, and will be livestreamed on the official BCL YouTube channel.