U19 ABA League Championship: A New Format for 2025/26

The 2025/26 U19 ABA League Championship is set to tip off in a refreshed format, with 16 teams competing for one of the most prestigious junior basketball trophies in the region. This season introduces a more structured competition, ensuring even more excitement on the road to the crown.

The Participants

The championship will feature 16 clubs from across the ABA League ecosystem:

BC Vienna, Borac Mozzart, Cedevita Olimpija, Cibona, Crvena zvezda Meridianbet, Dubai Basketball, FMP Soccerbet, Igokea m:tel, Ilirija, Krka, Mega Superbet, Partizan Mozzart Bet, SC Derby, Spartak Office Shoes, Split and Zadar.

Group Stage Format

The clubs are divided into four groups (A–D) for the regular season, which will be played in a round-robin system from November 27 to November 30. Each team will play every other side in their group once, with the top two from each group advancing to the quarter-finals.

Group A: Ilirija, Mega Superbet, Spartak Office Shoes, Split

Group B: Borac Mozzart, Igokea m:tel, SC Derby, Zadar

Group C: Crvena zvezda Meridianbet, Dubai Basketball, FMP Soccerbet, Krka

Group D: BC Vienna, Cedevita Olimpija, Cibona, Partizan Mozzart Bet

The group stage will be hosted in Laktaši (Groups A and B) and Vienna (Groups C and D), bringing the competition closer to fans in both cities.

Knockout Stage

The knockout stage will take place from April 16 to April 17, beginning with the quarter-finals:

Pair E: A1 vs D2

Pair F: D1 vs A2

Pair G: C1 vs B2

Pair H: B1 vs C2

Winners will progress to the semi-finals, while the losers will still compete for 5th to 8th place, giving all teams valuable games at the highest level.

The semi-finals will then feature:

Winner Pair E vs Winner Pair F

Winner Pair G vs Winner Pair H

The Road Ahead

The 2025/26 U19 ABA League Championship promises thrilling battles between some of the region’s most talented young players. With a balanced format and clear progression, fans can look forward to discovering the next generation of stars ready to make their mark on the ABA League stage.

Check out the full schedule HERE.