By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
The participating teams and the host of the fourth season of the Youth Basketball Champions League were revealed on Thursday.
A total of 12 teams will gather in Laktasi in April, including hosting Igokea m:tel.
Additional details were shared by the Basketball Champions League.
🚨 It‘s official: The 2026 #YouthBCL will take place in Laktasi!#BasketballCLhttps://t.co/ElIZN2HjvV
— Basketball Champions League (@BasketballCL) February 12, 2026
Per the press release: “The Youth Basketball Champions League is back for its fourth season, and the city of Laktasi, Bosnia and Herzegovina has been selected as the host of the event in 2026.
The prime standalone pan-European club competition for U18 teams will tip off on April 7 and the champions will be crowned on April 12.
A total of 12 teams will play the fourth season of the Youth BCL, representing nine different countries, including the previous two winners: the hosts, Igokea m:tel (BIH), who picked up the inaugural trophy in Bursa, Türkiye in 2023, and Rytas Vilnius (LTU), the two-time defending champions from Debrecen, Hungary in 2024, and Manisa, Türkiye last year.
The remaining 10 teams in alphabetical order are BA Nymburk (CZE), Bnei Herzliya (ISR), EWE Baskets Oldenburg (GER), Filou Oostende (BEL), Galatasaray (TUR), Gran Canaria (ESP), Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg (GER), Sabah BC (AZE), Telekom Baskets Bonn (GER) and Tofas Bursa (TUR).
“This endeavor to grow the Youth BCL is not only our pleasure, but also our obligation. These tournaments are always unique, not only for the fans watching all over the continent, but also for the players, as most of them get their first taste of international basketball on the court,” commented Basketball Champions League CEO Patrick Comninos.
“We are certain the tournament in Laktasi will be the strongest to date, especially knowing the level of dedication from the city of Laktasi and Igokea m:tel as the hosts, with elite conditions for all participating teams, and numerous workshops and programs with well known ambassadors off the court. The bar from the previous three editions is set at a high level, we are positive the fourth edition will raise it even higher,” Comninos added.
“We are honored and so happy that we can host the 12 best youth clubs of a generation in Laktasi in April. We can show everyone that we can be a good host. It’s going to be a tough test for us, but I’m sure we can pass it. I would like to invite all basketball lovers and supporters to come to Laktasi and be a part of the tournament,” explained Igokea m:tel general manager Igor Dodik.
“It is a great honor and privilege for us that Igokea is representing our city at the Youth Basketball Champions League. We are extremely proud of our young athletes who, through their talent, dedication, and hard work, proudly represent the city of Laktasi and our country. The city will continue to strongly support sports and youth, as they are the best ambassadors of our community,” said the Mayor of Laktasi Miroslav Bojic.
The 12 teams will be drawn into four groups of three teams. The group winners will advance to the Semi-Finals, with the two teams that prevail advancing to the championship game on April 12.
The second-placed teams from the group stage will face off in the Classification Games 5-8, while the third-placed teams are moving to the Classification Games 9-12.
All Youth Basketball Champions League games will be livestreamed on the official BCL YouTube channel for viewers around the world, as was the case the last three years.”