When Does the 2026/27 Basketball Season Start? Dates and Championship Odds

Major club basketball returns in mid-September. The new season offers plenty of intrigue, from a guaranteed new champion in France and a Rome derby in Italy to the challenge posed by a revamped Philadelphia team that has surged into the top three favourites for the new NBA campaign.

This article lists the start dates of the main basketball leagues in the 2026/27 season, briefly examines the leading championship contenders and provides bookmakers' outright odds. A calendar covering the start of other domestic competitions is also included below.

2026/2027 Season Start Dates in the World's Leading Basketball Leagues

LKL (Lithuania)

Season start date: 17 September

The Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) begins earlier than any of Europe's other leading competitions. Zalgiris once again look like clear favourites after an almost perfect previous season, finishing 31-1 in the regular championship and 8-0 in the playoffs. Lithuania's leading club have won two consecutive titles, so the main question is whether Rytas can turn their sensational FIBA Champions League triumph into a genuine domestic challenge. Nedas Pacevicius will also be worth following after the disappointment of the 2025/2026 campaign left him with the minimum task of reaching the final. Newly promoted Taurage, the tenth team in Lithuania's championship, add another layer of intrigue.

Bookmakers' favourites: Zalgiris (odds 1.04), Rytas (11), Neptunas (26).

EuroLeague

Season start date: 24 September

The EuroLeague begins on 24 September, and the new edition promises to be especially compelling. The competition still features 20 teams, but several major clubs have substantially reshaped their squads. The central question is whether Olympiacos can retain the title or whether the trophy will return to Panathinaikos, Fenerbahce or Real Madrid. The Spanish side deserve particular attention after rebuilding the team and recruiting Pedro Martinez from Valencia following their first trophyless season in 15 years.

Bookmakers' favourites: Olympiacos (odds 4.05), Panathinaikos (4.33), Fenerbahce (7.6).

Super League (Turkey)

Season start date: 25 September

The 2026/27 Turkish Super League starts on 25 September, and the opening round immediately produces one of the championship's biggest fixtures as Anadolu Efes host Besiktas. Fenerbahce remain the main favourites after winning the title for a third consecutive season. The key question is whether anyone can challenge the country's leading team. Besiktas reached last season's final and even led the decisive series, while Efes have carried out a major overhaul.

Bookmakers' favourites: Fenerbahce (odds 1.56), Anadolu Efes (2.86), Besiktas (10.3).

Pro A (France)

Season start date: 25 September

For the first time in years, the French title race will take place without the reigning champions. Monaco were denied entry because of financial problems and removed from the EuroLeague. Their difficulties open the door to new contenders, above all Paris and ASVEL. Elan Bearnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez also return to the top division, giving the French championship several compelling storylines from its opening weeks.

Bookmakers' favourites: ASVEL (odds 1.74), Paris (2.12), Bourg (14).

VTB United League

Season start date: 25 September

The 2026/27 VTB United League season starts alongside the competitions in France and Turkey. The principal question is whether CSKA can defend their title. The Army Men have retained the core of their championship-winning squad, while their closest rivals have strengthened considerably. The league is returning to a two-stage regular season and adding a play-in, with Dynamo Vladivostok joining the field. Their arrival also means seven-hour flights to Russia's Far East. The season's intrigue therefore concerns not only who can stop CSKA, but also who will reach the top half of the table and secure a playoff place.

Bookmakers' favourites: CSKA (odds 1.82), Zenit (5.1), UNICS (5.65).

ACB (Spain)

Season start date: 26 September

Valencia face a difficult title defence. The team have undergone a major rebuild but continue to strengthen, with Nikola Mirotic, one of Europe's most decorated forwards of recent years, returning just before the season. The key question is whether Valencia can handle the pressure and the pursuit of Real Madrid and Barcelona, both highly motivated after finishing the previous campaign without a trophy.

Bookmakers' favourites: Real Madrid (odds 1.53), Barcelona (5), Valencia Basket (9).

Serie A (Italy)

Season start date: 26 September

Olimpia Milano will once again set the standard for the rest of Serie A. They are the reigning champions and have been Italy's best team in four of the past five seasons. Virtus Bologna have significantly reshaped their squad, while Reyer Venezia, beaten by Milan in the most recent final, will have a chance for revenge. Another major storyline is the Rome derby between Maxima Roma and Roma. The first meeting of the two new teams from the Italian capital will take place on 11 October.

Bookmakers' favourites: Olimpia Milano (odds 1.70), Virtus Bologna (3.98), Reyer Venezia (8.4).

NBA

Season start date: 15 October

Most NBA teams will enter the action on 20 October, but the season officially begins on the 15th with Houston facing Oklahoma City. The Knicks will open their title defence against a revamped Philadelphia team where LeBron James and Jaylen Brown now play together. The main question is who can dethrone the Knicks, who will begin a season as defending champions for the first time since 1973.

Bookmakers' favourites: Oklahoma City Thunder (odds 3.6), San Antonio Spurs (3.7), Philadelphia 76ers (10), New York Knicks (10).

When the 2026/2027 Season Starts in Other Basketball Leagues

For current odds, detailed match previews and important statistical trends across every basketball competition, visit the Basketball section on Scores24.