By Aris Barkas and Stavros Barbarousis/ info@eurohoops.net
The season’s first Power Rankings are an easy way to present expectations, based on theory.
Pre-season games give an indication, but the season is a marathon. Still, after tip-off, Power Rankings aren’t really needed, since standings replace them as a more objective metric.
This may change in 2027 when the EuroLeague is bound to have two separate conferences, but for this season, as it happened last year, this is how teams look at the starting line, in the first and only Eurohoops Power Rankings of 2026-27.
1. Panathinaikos
Yes, they got a ton of pre-season injuries, but they are the most expensive team of the season; they are coached by a legend, and they aim for the top. When you talk about power, that’s the definition of it.
2. Olympiacos
In theory, the champions should start from the top spot, especially when they are keeping the same core and arguably improving it with key additions like Jean Montero. But the elephant in the room for Olympiacos is that their home arena will be ready hopefully, just before the playoffs; they will be training in their facilities and playing home games in AEK’s gym. That may end up having a cost.
3. Real Madrid
They already won the Super Cup, turning the page under coach Pedro Martinez, and have extra motivation after the lost final in Athens. Still, the Greeks seem to be at least one step ahead of them at this point.
4. Fenerbahce
It’s hard to imagine Fenerbahce not being among the top contenders of the season, but it’s also hard to rank them above Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, and Real Madrid. That doesn’t mean that they might not end up on top of everyone.
5. Dubai BC
After a somewhat timid first season, Dubai didn’t shy away from demonstrating their financial resources, creating a top-level roster that aims at least for the Final Four. The problem with the team is that traveling all over Europe and spending a lot of time on an airplane takes its toll no matter what. Plus, if things escalate between Iran and Israel, they might end up playing in Sarajevo again.
6. Zalgiris
In a league of guards, having a big man like Jonas Valanciunas can make all the difference in the world. Even when they have less firepower on the court, Zalgiris is usually in the playoffs mix, and this year they are more than just underdogs.
7. Hapoel Tel Aviv
Hapoel has a deep roster, and despite their usual dose of off-court drama, they made it to the playoffs last year, and they are expected to be there again. Of course, playing their home games in Bulgaria must be taken into account and was a more than decisive factor in last season’s playoffs against Real Madrid.
8. Crvena Zvezda
The Serbs have the chance to be part of the playoffs after making the play-in tournament last year. After dominating the Basketball Champions League, coach Ibon Navarro has a big chance to make a splash and has enough tools in the roster to make it happen. Also, home-court advantage is evident when you play in Belgrade.
9. Anadolu Efes
This is essentially the first season of Pablo Laso in Istanbul, with Mike James being the focal point of the team. This is a very interesting mix, and Efes can again aim at least for the playoffs.
10. Valencia
Yes, we learned our lesson from last year. So, despite the big changes on their roster, we will never, ever underestimate Valencia again. Plus, there’s a hunch that we may witness Paris-level TJ Shorts again.
11. Barcelona
With the competition getting better and better, Barcelona took a step back this year, and while they will fight for the playoffs, there’s no guarantee that they will ultimately make it happen.
12. Maccabi Tel Aviv
The same applies to Maccabi. They are expected to fight for the playoffs, but are they a lock to make it? If they had the chance to play in Tel Aviv, the answer would probably have been positive, but not with Belgrade as the home court.
13. Armani Milano
In theory, they have improved, and on paper their roster is playoffs-bound. Still, this is the story of the team for the last few years, and somehow – also because they are always unlucky with injuries – they miss the final cut. So we also have to be cautious, even if they have the tools for more.
14. Partizan
After a season that was a rollercoaster last year, they have the chance to be more steady and push for more. Are they playoffs-bound? Far from it, because of the level of the competition.
15. LDLC ASVEL
Everyone will follow ASVEL and watch Tony Parker’s first season as a coach. What’s certain, however, is that this team is not the one Parker had in mind at the start of the summer, and even making it to the playoffs seems like a long shot.
16. Bayern Munich
Despite the big brand, Bayern is trying to build something sustainable without breaking the bank. With that being said, Anton Gavel is a first-rate coach, and he may even be able to build something out of limited resources, compared to other rosters.
17. Paris Basketball
Paris is thinking like Bayern, and the plan worked with coach Tiago Splitter on the bench and TJ Shorts producing an MVP-level season. That roster was plundered two summers ago, and Paris is trying again to create something that will defy expectations, hoping that everyone will produce more than expected.
18. Besiktas
In theory, Besiktas could have been higher, and they will be solid. However, EuroLeague is a different animal compared to the EuroCup, and if you don’t even overpay for players in your first season on the top level, things can be really, really hard.
19. Baskonia
Baskonia will have some flashes, but again their target will be mainly to avoid the last spot, while the competition on every level is making further steps forward.
20. Virtus Bologna
On paper, Virtus probably has the weakest roster of all in the EuroLeague, and despite their tradition, their main goal would be to end up as a punching bag.
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