Athens, April 14 – Euroleague Basketball has officially announced the eight elite U18 teams that will compete for the prestigious title at the 2026 Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Finals. The highly anticipated tournament is set to take place in Athens, Greece, from May 21 to May 24, running concurrently with the 2026 EuroLeague Final Four Athens, presented by Etihad.
Top U18 Talent to Converge in Athens
The NextGen Finals, widely recognized as the world’s premier club-based junior basketball event, will once again bring together the brightest young talent in European basketball. The participating teams will battle for the coveted championship, traditionally held as an integral part of the EuroLeague Final Four celebrations.
The confirmed lineup of eight elite teams includes:
- Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (winner of NextGen Ulm)
- FC Barcelona (winner of NextGen Bologna)
- Pole France INSEP Paris (winner of NextGen Belgrade)
- Next Generation Team 3SSB
- Crvena Zvezda Belgrade
- Real Madrid
- Zalgiris Kaunas
- Panathinaikos Athens
This year marks a significant debut for 3Stripes Select Basketball (3SSB) in the NextGen Finals. 3SSB, adidas Basketball’s leading grassroots platform, is designed to support student-athletes aspiring to play at higher levels, offering a comprehensive year-round program of competitive camps, tournaments, and initiatives for both boys and girls.
A Legacy of Champions and Future Stars
The clubs competing in this year’s NextGen Finals boast an impressive collective record of 12 U18 continental trophies, including nine of the last 11 titles. Zalgiris Kaunas enters the tournament as the reigning champion, having secured the crown at last year’s final in Abu Dhabi. This was the club’s third title, with previous victories in 2007 and the inaugural event in 2003.
Real Madrid holds the record for the most titles, with a total of five championships won in 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2024. INSEP Paris has been crowned champion twice, in 2010 and 2017. FC Barcelona claimed the European championship in 2016, while Crvena Zvezda secured its sole title in 2014.
Tournament Structure and Viewing Information
Basketball enthusiasts attending the NextGen Finals in Athens, or those watching from home via the EuroLeague’s official YouTube channel, can anticipate an exciting schedule. The tournament will feature 12 group-stage games played over the first three days, from Thursday, May 21, to Saturday, May 23, at the Sunel Arena.
The climax of the tournament will be on Sunday, May 24, with the championship game. This final showdown, between the two group winners, will take place at the Telekom Center Athens, serving as a thrilling prequel to the main EuroLeague Championship Game.
Tickets for the NextGen Finals will become available for purchase in the coming weeks, offering fans the opportunity to witness the emergence of basketball’s next generation of stars.
24th Edition Continues to Shape Basketball’s Future
This season marks the 24th edition of the NextGen EuroLeague, a competition that has consistently served as a proving ground for future basketball legends. Numerous prominent figures in the sport have honed their skills and gained early exposure through this tournament. The illustrious list of alumni includes global superstars such as Luka Doncic, Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic, Deni Avdija, Kristaps Porzingis, Domantas Sabonis, Vasilije Micic, Nikola Milutinov, Jean Montero, Donatas Motiejunas, Goga Bitadze, Jonas Valanciunas, Egor Demin, and Maxime Raynaud, among many others.
The 2026 Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Finals in Athens promises to be another memorable chapter in the tournament’s rich history, showcasing the incredible talent and competitive spirit of the next generation of European basketball.
Source: https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1955871/2025-26-adidas-nextgen-euroleague-finals-teams-announced/
