ULEB League Rankings
Encyclopedia
The ULEB League Rankings are the rankings for each of the different European regional and domestic basketball
leagues of the countries that participate in Europe's international continental professional basketball competitions that are held under the ULEB
zone umbrella, such as the Euroleague
and the Eurocup. FIBA Europe
's top competition, the EuroChallenge
, also falls under the ULEB rankings system.
Top ranked clubs from the different domestic and regional leagues compete in Europe's three continental professional basketball competitions, the first tier Euroleague competition, the second tier Eurocup competition, and the third tier competition, called the EuroChallenge. The EuroChallenge competition is run by FIBA Europe, but with the cooperation of ULEB it also works under the ULEB domestic and regional league rankings system. Generally, top ranked domestic and regional clubs compete in the Euroleague, while higher end mid-level domestic and regional clubs compete in the Eurocup. Usually, mid-level domestic and regional clubs compete in the EuroChallenge. Lower ranked domestic and regional clubs do not compete in the 3 continental club competitions.
Old FIBA/ULEB
Over the history of Europe-wide club basketball competitions, dating back to the old FIBA Champions Cup (now known as the Euroleague
), which began with the 1957-58 season, three European national domestic leagues stood out in prominence under the old ratings system that was based only on basketball game competition results and was originally overseen by FIBA and then later by ULEB
. The Italian Lega A, which was the top league historically, the Spanish ACB, which was the second best league historically, and the Greek Basket League, which was the third best league historically. The old ratings system which was used from 1958-2007, included only basketball game competition related results.
Also, the old Soviet Union League and the old Yugoslavian YUBA Liga, were additional leagues that historically were amongst the elite of Europe before they folded. The old Yugoslavian YUBA Liga exists in a similar form today as the Liga ABA and the old Soviet Union League was the forerunner of today's VTB United League
. These are still considered to be the five strongest European national domestic and regional leagues today.
New ULEB
The rankings are updated once every 3 years and use the previous 5 years of results to determine the strength of each league. Results from domestic and regional leagues, as well as the 3 international continental competitions are all used. However, starting with the 2007-08 season, basketball game competition results are not all that are used to determine each league's overall rank. Television revenues and ratings, arena attendance figures, and arena seating capacities are also used to determine the rankings of each league. The ratio distribution is based on 70 percent basketball game competition results and 30 percent TV revenues/ratings, attendance figures, and arena capacities.
competition, clubs must play in arenas with capacities of at least 10,000 people. To compete in the second tier Eurocup competition, clubs must play in arenas with capacities of at least 5,000 people. To compete in the third tier EuroChallenge
competition, clubs must play in arenas with capacities of at least 3,500 people. Also, clubs must be in good standing with FIBA Europe
's club rules and regulations. This means that clubs that have been punished in court for unpaid financial obligations to players and have refused to meet them cannot compete in any of the three continental competitions.
The rankings are based on 70 percent basketball game competition results and 30 percent TV revenues/ratings, attendance figures, and arena capacities. It is important to note that because of this, the league rankings are not based merely on the basketball strength of each respective league. So the rankings do not necessarily purely reflect the level of play in each league.
For example, the Greek Basket League is currently ranked higher than the Italian Lega A based on the level of play results in basketball game competitions, but the Italian Lega A has on average better TV ratings, bigger arenas, and better attendance figures. The Italian Lega A is therefore then ranked higher than the Greek Basket League in the overall league rankings, even though the Greek Basket League is rated higher basketball-wise. Because of this, certain leagues that have good TV ratings, large arenas and strong attendance figures, such as the Spanish ACB, the Italian Lega A, and the French Pro A
have a built-in advantage in the rankings.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
leagues of the countries that participate in Europe's international continental professional basketball competitions that are held under the ULEB
ULEB
ULEB was founded in 1991, with the aim to help in the cooperation and development of European professional club basketball leagues...
zone umbrella, such as the Euroleague
Euroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
and the Eurocup. FIBA Europe
FIBA Europe
FIBA Europe is a zone within the International Basketball Federation which includes all 49 national European basketball federations.-Division A:-Division B: -Division C:...
's top competition, the EuroChallenge
EuroChallenge
The EuroChallenge is the 3rd tier level transnational men's professional club basketball competition in Europe. It is organized and run by FIBA Europe...
, also falls under the ULEB rankings system.
Top ranked clubs from the different domestic and regional leagues compete in Europe's three continental professional basketball competitions, the first tier Euroleague competition, the second tier Eurocup competition, and the third tier competition, called the EuroChallenge. The EuroChallenge competition is run by FIBA Europe, but with the cooperation of ULEB it also works under the ULEB domestic and regional league rankings system. Generally, top ranked domestic and regional clubs compete in the Euroleague, while higher end mid-level domestic and regional clubs compete in the Eurocup. Usually, mid-level domestic and regional clubs compete in the EuroChallenge. Lower ranked domestic and regional clubs do not compete in the 3 continental club competitions.
Old FIBA/ULEBULEBULEB was founded in 1991, with the aim to help in the cooperation and development of European professional club basketball leagues...
rankings
Over the history of Europe-wide club basketball competitions, dating back to the old FIBA Champions Cup (now known as the EuroleagueEuroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
), which began with the 1957-58 season, three European national domestic leagues stood out in prominence under the old ratings system that was based only on basketball game competition results and was originally overseen by FIBA and then later by ULEB
ULEB
ULEB was founded in 1991, with the aim to help in the cooperation and development of European professional club basketball leagues...
. The Italian Lega A, which was the top league historically, the Spanish ACB, which was the second best league historically, and the Greek Basket League, which was the third best league historically. The old ratings system which was used from 1958-2007, included only basketball game competition related results.
Also, the old Soviet Union League and the old Yugoslavian YUBA Liga, were additional leagues that historically were amongst the elite of Europe before they folded. The old Yugoslavian YUBA Liga exists in a similar form today as the Liga ABA and the old Soviet Union League was the forerunner of today's VTB United League
VTB United League
VTB United League is an international professional basketball league that was founded in 2008. Its goal is to unite the leading basketball clubs of Eastern Europe and Northern Europe together into one league. The league is sponsored by VTB Bank. In its inaugural 2009–10 season, it featured clubs...
. These are still considered to be the five strongest European national domestic and regional leagues today.
| Rank | 1960s |
|---|---|
| 1. |  Soviet Union League(VTB United League VTB United League VTB United League is an international professional basketball league that was founded in 2008. Its goal is to unite the leading basketball clubs of Eastern Europe and Northern Europe together into one league. The league is sponsored by VTB Bank. In its inaugural 2009–10 season, it featured clubs... ) |
| 2. |  Spanish Liga Nacional |
| 3. |  Italian Serie A |
| Rank | 1970s |
|---|---|
| 1. | Italian Serie A |
| 2. | Soviet Union League (VTB United League VTB United League VTB United League is an international professional basketball league that was founded in 2008. Its goal is to unite the leading basketball clubs of Eastern Europe and Northern Europe together into one league. The league is sponsored by VTB Bank. In its inaugural 2009–10 season, it featured clubs... ) |
| 3. | Spanish Liga Nacional |
| Rank | 1980s |
|---|---|
| 1. | Italian Serie A |
| 2. |  Yugoslavian YUBA Liga(Liga ABA) |
| 3. | Soviet Union League (VTB United League VTB United League VTB United League is an international professional basketball league that was founded in 2008. Its goal is to unite the leading basketball clubs of Eastern Europe and Northern Europe together into one league. The league is sponsored by VTB Bank. In its inaugural 2009–10 season, it featured clubs... ) |
| Rank | 1990s |
|---|---|
| 1. |  Greek HEBA A1 |
| 2. | Yugoslavian YUBA Liga |
| 3. | Spanish ACB |
| Rank | 2000-2007 |
|---|---|
| 1. | Spanish ACB |
| 2. | Italian Lega A |
| 3. | Greek HEBA A1 |
| Rank | 1958-2007 |
|---|---|
| 1. | Italian Lega A |
| 2. | Spanish ACB |
| 3. | Greek HEBA A1 |
New ULEBULEBULEB was founded in 1991, with the aim to help in the cooperation and development of European professional club basketball leagues...
ratings system criteria
The rankings are updated once every 3 years and use the previous 5 years of results to determine the strength of each league. Results from domestic and regional leagues, as well as the 3 international continental competitions are all used. However, starting with the 2007-08 season, basketball game competition results are not all that are used to determine each league's overall rank. Television revenues and ratings, arena attendance figures, and arena seating capacities are also used to determine the rankings of each league. The ratio distribution is based on 70 percent basketball game competition results and 30 percent TV revenues/ratings, attendance figures, and arena capacities.Arena standards and qualifications
There are also arena rules for inclusion in the continental club competitions. Starting with the 2012-13 season, to compete in the first tier EuroleagueEuroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
competition, clubs must play in arenas with capacities of at least 10,000 people. To compete in the second tier Eurocup competition, clubs must play in arenas with capacities of at least 5,000 people. To compete in the third tier EuroChallenge
EuroChallenge
The EuroChallenge is the 3rd tier level transnational men's professional club basketball competition in Europe. It is organized and run by FIBA Europe...
competition, clubs must play in arenas with capacities of at least 3,500 people. Also, clubs must be in good standing with FIBA Europe
FIBA Europe
FIBA Europe is a zone within the International Basketball Federation which includes all 49 national European basketball federations.-Division A:-Division B: -Division C:...
's club rules and regulations. This means that clubs that have been punished in court for unpaid financial obligations to players and have refused to meet them cannot compete in any of the three continental competitions.
Current ULEB European national domestic and regional basketball league rankings
The rankings will again be updated before the 2012-13 season. The rankings are updated once every three years and take into account the results from the previous five seasons. So the rankings are not based on a per season, or current season basis.The rankings are based on 70 percent basketball game competition results and 30 percent TV revenues/ratings, attendance figures, and arena capacities. It is important to note that because of this, the league rankings are not based merely on the basketball strength of each respective league. So the rankings do not necessarily purely reflect the level of play in each league.
For example, the Greek Basket League is currently ranked higher than the Italian Lega A based on the level of play results in basketball game competitions, but the Italian Lega A has on average better TV ratings, bigger arenas, and better attendance figures. The Italian Lega A is therefore then ranked higher than the Greek Basket League in the overall league rankings, even though the Greek Basket League is rated higher basketball-wise. Because of this, certain leagues that have good TV ratings, large arenas and strong attendance figures, such as the Spanish ACB, the Italian Lega A, and the French Pro A
Ligue Nationale de Basketball
The Ligue National de Basket is the top men's French professional basketball league. There are two divisions: French Pro A League and French Pro B League .-Pro A:...
have a built-in advantage in the rankings.
| Rank | National Domestic League |
|---|---|
| 1. | Spanish ACB |
| 2. | Italian Lega A |
| 3. | Greek Basket League |
| 4. |  Russian PBL |
| 5. |  French Pro ALigue Nationale de Basketball The Ligue National de Basket is the top men's French professional basketball league. There are two divisions: French Pro A League and French Pro B League .-Pro A:... |
| 6. |  Turkish Basketball LeagueTurkish Basketball League The Turkish Basketball League is the top men’s professional basketball league in Turkey, which is also called Turkish Premier Basketball League . There is also a Turkish Second Basketball League consisting of 2 divisions .-History:The first basketball game played in Turkey was at the Robert... |
| 7. |  Lithuanian LKLLietuvos Krepšinio Lyga The Lietuvos krepšinio lyga is Lithuania's premier professional men's basketball league, composed of 12 teams.- History :... |
| 8. |  Serbian KLS |
| 9. |  Croatian A1 Liga |
| 10. |  Slovenian SKLPremier A Slovenian Basketball League The Premier A Slovenian Basketball League , abbreviated as 1. A SKL and known for sponsorship reasons as the Telemach League , is the top-level professional men's basketball league in Slovenia... |
| 11. |  German BBLBasketball Bundesliga The Basketball Bundesliga — commonly abbreviated BBL — is the highest level league of club basketball in Germany. The league comprises 18 teams. A BBL season is split into a league stage and a playoff stage... |
| 12. |  Polish PLK |
| 13. |  Belgian BLBBasketball League Belgium The Basketball League Belgium , also known as the Ligue Ethias or Ethias League, is the highest professional basketball league in Belgium.-Teams:* Antwerp Giants* Belgacom Liège Basket* Dexia Mons-Hainaut* Generali Okapi Aalstar... |
| 14. |  Latvian LBL |
| 15. |  Ukrainian SuperLeagueUkrainian Basketball Super League The Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague is the top professional basketball league in Ukraine.-2010–2011 Teams:* Azovmash Mariupol* BC Kyiv* Khimik Yuzhny* MBС Mykolaiv* BC Donetsk* BC Budivelnik* BC Halychyna* BC Hoverla* BC Dnipro-Azot... |
| 16. |  Israeli Super League |
| 17. |  Czech NBLNational Basketball League (Czech Republic) The Czech Republic National Basketball League , also called the Mattoni NBL for sponsorship reasons, is the top level professional basketball league in the Czech Republic. The league operates under a promotion and relegation system. The bottom two NBL teams from each season's standings are... |
| 18. |  Montenegrin KSCGOpportunity League The Opportunity Liga is a national professional basketball league in Montenegro. It is the top basketball division in Montenegro's Košarkaški savez Crne Gore national basketball federation. It was established in the year 2006, shortly after Montenegro declared its independence from Serbia and... |
| 19. |  Swiss LNBALigue Nationale de Basketball (Switzerland) Ligue Nationale de Basketball A ' is the top professional basketball league in Switzerland. The national league is divided into two divisions, the A and the B, with a system of promotion and relegation between them.- League A Teams :... |
| 20. |  Austrian OBLÖsterreichische Basketball Bundesliga The Österreichische Basketball Bundesliga is the top men's professional basketball league in Austria. Until the 2004–05 season, the league was known as the A-Liga and then until the 2008–09 season it was called the Österreichische Basketball Bundesliga... |
| 21. |  Estonian KML |
| 22. |  Dutch DBLDutch Basketball League The Dutch Basketball League , is the highest professional basketball league in the Netherlands. The league has a closed system... |
| 23. |  Bulgarian NBLNational Basketball League (Bulgaria) The Bulgarian National Basketball League is the highest professional basketball league in Bulgaria. It was founded in the year 2008. Previously, it was called the Bulgarian A Division... |
| 24. |  Portuguese LPB |
| 25. |  British BBLBritish Basketball League The British Basketball League, often abbreviated to the BBL, is the premier men's professional basketball league in the United Kingdom. The BBL runs two knockout competitions alongside the league championship; the BBL Cup and the BBL Trophy.... |
| Rank | Regional League |
|---|---|
| 1. | VTB United League VTB United League VTB United League is an international professional basketball league that was founded in 2008. Its goal is to unite the leading basketball clubs of Eastern Europe and Northern Europe together into one league. The league is sponsored by VTB Bank. In its inaugural 2009–10 season, it featured clubs...  - - - - - - - (Formerly Soviet Union League) |
| 2. | Liga ABA - - - - - (Formerly Yugoslavian YUBA Liga) |
| 3. | Baltic BBL Baltic Basketball League Baltic Basketball League is a Baltic states basketball league founded in 2004.Currently, the league is divided into two: the Elite division and the Challenge Cup division. The 10 strongest Baltic basketball clubs participate in the Elite division. The rest of the teams compete in the Challenge Cup... - - - |
| 4. | Balkan BIBL Balkan International Basketball League The Balkan International Basketball League , also known as the Balkan League, is a multinational professional basketball league that features pro clubs from the Balkans. The league includes teams from the countries of Bulgaria, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and...  - - - - |
| Rank | League |
|---|---|
| 1. | Spanish ACB |
| 2. | VTB United League VTB United League VTB United League is an international professional basketball league that was founded in 2008. Its goal is to unite the leading basketball clubs of Eastern Europe and Northern Europe together into one league. The league is sponsored by VTB Bank. In its inaugural 2009–10 season, it featured clubs... - - - - - - - (Formerly Soviet Union League) |
| 3. | Liga ABA - - - - - (Formerly Yugoslavian YUBA Liga YUBA Liga The Yugoslav Basketball League was the name of two successive national basketball leagues:* the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia league from 1945 to 1992* the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia/Serbia and Montenegro from 1992 to 2006... ) |
| 4. | Italian Lega A |
| 5. | Greek Basket League |
| 6. | Russian PBL |
| 7. | French Pro A Ligue Nationale de Basketball The Ligue National de Basket is the top men's French professional basketball league. There are two divisions: French Pro A League and French Pro B League .-Pro A:... |
| 8. | Turkish Basketball League Turkish Basketball League The Turkish Basketball League is the top men’s professional basketball league in Turkey, which is also called Turkish Premier Basketball League . There is also a Turkish Second Basketball League consisting of 2 divisions .-History:The first basketball game played in Turkey was at the Robert... |
| 9. | Baltic BBL Baltic Basketball League Baltic Basketball League is a Baltic states basketball league founded in 2004.Currently, the league is divided into two: the Elite division and the Challenge Cup division. The 10 strongest Baltic basketball clubs participate in the Elite division. The rest of the teams compete in the Challenge Cup... - - - |
| 10. | Lithuanian LKL Lietuvos Krepšinio Lyga The Lietuvos krepšinio lyga is Lithuania's premier professional men's basketball league, composed of 12 teams.- History :... |
| 11. | Serbian KLS |
| 12. | Croatian A1 Liga |
| 13. | Slovenian SKL Premier A Slovenian Basketball League The Premier A Slovenian Basketball League , abbreviated as 1. A SKL and known for sponsorship reasons as the Telemach League , is the top-level professional men's basketball league in Slovenia... |
| 14. | German BBL Basketball Bundesliga The Basketball Bundesliga — commonly abbreviated BBL — is the highest level league of club basketball in Germany. The league comprises 18 teams. A BBL season is split into a league stage and a playoff stage... |
| 15. | Polish PLK |
| 16. | Belgian BLB Basketball League Belgium The Basketball League Belgium , also known as the Ligue Ethias or Ethias League, is the highest professional basketball league in Belgium.-Teams:* Antwerp Giants* Belgacom Liège Basket* Dexia Mons-Hainaut* Generali Okapi Aalstar... |
| 17. | Latvian LBL |
| 18. | Ukrainian SuperLeague Ukrainian Basketball Super League The Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague is the top professional basketball league in Ukraine.-2010–2011 Teams:* Azovmash Mariupol* BC Kyiv* Khimik Yuzhny* MBС Mykolaiv* BC Donetsk* BC Budivelnik* BC Halychyna* BC Hoverla* BC Dnipro-Azot... |
| 19. | Israeli Super League |
| 20. | Czech NBL National Basketball League (Czech Republic) The Czech Republic National Basketball League , also called the Mattoni NBL for sponsorship reasons, is the top level professional basketball league in the Czech Republic. The league operates under a promotion and relegation system. The bottom two NBL teams from each season's standings are... |
| 21. | Dutch DBL Dutch Basketball League The Dutch Basketball League , is the highest professional basketball league in the Netherlands. The league has a closed system... |
| 22. | Balkan BIBL Balkan International Basketball League The Balkan International Basketball League , also known as the Balkan League, is a multinational professional basketball league that features pro clubs from the Balkans. The league includes teams from the countries of Bulgaria, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and... - - - |
| 23. | Swiss LNBA Ligue Nationale de Basketball (Switzerland) Ligue Nationale de Basketball A ' is the top professional basketball league in Switzerland. The national league is divided into two divisions, the A and the B, with a system of promotion and relegation between them.- League A Teams :... |
| 24. | Austrian OBL Österreichische Basketball Bundesliga The Österreichische Basketball Bundesliga is the top men's professional basketball league in Austria. Until the 2004–05 season, the league was known as the A-Liga and then until the 2008–09 season it was called the Österreichische Basketball Bundesliga... |
| 25. | Estonian KML |
| 26. | Montenegrin KSCG Opportunity League The Opportunity Liga is a national professional basketball league in Montenegro. It is the top basketball division in Montenegro's Košarkaški savez Crne Gore national basketball federation. It was established in the year 2006, shortly after Montenegro declared its independence from Serbia and... |
| 27. | Bulgarian NBL National Basketball League (Bulgaria) The Bulgarian National Basketball League is the highest professional basketball league in Bulgaria. It was founded in the year 2008. Previously, it was called the Bulgarian A Division... |
| 28. | Portuguese LPB |
| 29. | British BBL British Basketball League The British Basketball League, often abbreviated to the BBL, is the premier men's professional basketball league in the United Kingdom. The BBL runs two knockout competitions alongside the league championship; the BBL Cup and the BBL Trophy.... |
| Currently rated as A level European basketball leagues by ULEB ULEB ULEB was founded in 1991, with the aim to help in the cooperation and development of European professional club basketball leagues... . |
|
| Currently rated as B level European basketball leagues by ULEB ULEB ULEB was founded in 1991, with the aim to help in the cooperation and development of European professional club basketball leagues... . |
|
| Currently rated as non-Euroleague Euroleague Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is... C level European basketball leagues by ULEB ULEB ULEB was founded in 1991, with the aim to help in the cooperation and development of European professional club basketball leagues... . |
European-wide international continental basketball league rankings
| Rank | International Continental League |
|---|---|
| 1. |  EuroleagueEuroleague Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is... |
| 2. | Eurocup |
| 3. | EuroChallenge EuroChallenge The EuroChallenge is the 3rd tier level transnational men's professional club basketball competition in Europe. It is organized and run by FIBA Europe... |
| Europe's top European-wide A level club competition. The premier basketball league in the world excluding the NBA National Basketball Association The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada... . |
|
| Europe's second level European-wide B level club competition. One of the strongest basketball leagues in Europe. | |
| Europe's third level European-wide C level club competition. The highest level club competition that is run by FIBA Europe FIBA Europe FIBA Europe is a zone within the International Basketball Federation which includes all 49 national European basketball federations.-Division A:-Division B: -Division C:... . |