Manchester Basketball Set For Champions League Qualification Rounds

Manchester Basketball have been confirmed for the Basketball Champions League Qualification Rounds, giving the club another opportunity to test itself on the European stage.

The Super League Basketball side will enter FIBA’s Basketball Champions League qualification phase after receiving confirmation from the competition’s board.

It is another significant step for Manchester, who reached the European Northern Basketball League final last season in what the club described as its first European campaign since the 1990s. Moving into the Basketball Champions League pathway now gives the franchise a chance to push towards one of FIBA’s leading club competitions.

Manchester CEO Claire Bradbury said the qualification place was a “signal of intent” for the club, pointing to the ambition to keep growing elite basketball in the city and represent both Manchester and British basketball in Europe.

The Basketball Champions League has confirmed 24 clubs for the qualification round. Those teams will be split into two tournaments, with the winners progressing to the regular season.

Manchester are listed in the Representation 2 Qualification Round alongside clubs from across Europe, including BC Vienna, BK Opava, Dziki Warszawa, Wurzburg Baskets, Lions de Genève, Manisa Basket, Kolossos H Hotels BC, Kutaisi 2010, Pelister Bitola, Prievidza, Rilski Sportist, Sporting CP, Trepça, Utenos Juventus and Windrose Giants Antwerp.

For UK basketball fans, the story matters beyond Manchester alone. British clubs need more regular, meaningful European exposure, and Manchester’s latest step offers another marker of how the domestic professional game is trying to rebuild profile, credibility and ambition.

The qualification route will still be demanding, with only a small number of places available in the main competition. But after last season’s ENBL run, Manchester now have a platform to show whether they can carry that momentum into a higher level of continental basketball.

Image: Super League Basketball / Manchester Basketball.

Source: Super League Basketball