MIES (Switzerland) - The city of Samokov, Bulgaria, has been selected to host all three Qualification Round Tournaments of the Basketball Champions League in September.
After a couple of successful campaigns in Antalya, Türkiye in Seasons VIII and IX, the BCL in partnership with Rilski Sportist and the Bulgarian Basketball Federation agreed upon a new location for the Qualification Round Tournaments ahead of Season X.
The tournaments will tip off on Friday, September 19, and conclude six days later, on Thursday, September 25, when the three tournament winners will earn their tickets to the Regular Season.
"The Qualification Round Tournaments are among our top priorities when creating a calendar for any season. We are proud to say this enthusiasm was matched by Rilski Sportist and the Bulgarian Basketball Federation, who have made it very clear from day one that they want to host this major event," BCL CEO Patrick Comninos commented.
"We have witnessed incredible stories throughout the previous nine seasons of the qualifiers, with four teams managing to go from the Qualification Round Tournaments to the season ending Final Four events. Something to keep in mind, knowing the quality of the field in the Qualification Round Tournaments this September," Mr. Comninos added.
"We are honored that Rilski Sportist and the city of Samokov have been chosen to host the Basketball Champions League Qualification Round tournaments. This is a great recognition of the club's professionalism and the strong basketball traditions in the region," President of the Bulgarian Basketball Federation Georgi Glushkov stated.
"We are proud to be the hosts of such a prestigious international event on Bulgarian soil. The Bulgarian Basketball Federation fully supports the organization of this important competition and will work closely with Rilski Sportist to ensure a successful and memorable experience for all participants and fans," Mr. Glushkov concluded.
The games will be played in the state of the art Samelyon Arena, built in 2025 with a capacity of 3,000, located 50 kilometers away from the Vasil Levski Sofia Airport.
Rilski Sportist, the champions of Bulgaria and the hosts of the event, will be in the Qualification Round Tournament 1 (Champions Path), alongside seven other champions from nations not represented in the Regular Season.
The schedule for each Qualification Round Tournament is as follows:
Qualification Round Tournament 1 (Champions Path)
Quarter-Finals Sunday, September 21 QF2: Kalev/Cramo (EST) vs. Rilski Sportist (BUL) at 17:45 CET QF1: Patrioti Levice (SVK) vs. Petrolina AEK Larnaca (CYP) at 20:00 CET Monday, September 22 QF3: Bakken Bears (DEN) vs. Kutaisi 2010 (GEO) at 17:45 CET QF4: Heroes Den Bosch (NED) vs. Trepca (KOS) at 20:00 CET
Semi-Finals Tuesday, September 23 Winner of QF2 vs. Winner of QF1 at 17:45 CET Winner of QF3 vs. Winner of WF4 at 20:00 CET
Final Thursday, September 25 Winner of SF1 vs. Winner of SF2 at 19:00 CET
The winner of QRT1 (Champions Path) will join AEK Betsson BC (GRE), VEF Riga (LAT) and NHSZ-Szolnoki Olajbanyasz (HUN) in Group F of the Regular Season.
Qualification Round Tournament 2
Quarter-Finals Friday, September 19 QF4: CSM CSU Oradea (ROU) vs. Windrose Giants Antwerp (BEL) at 13:15 CET QF3: Pallacanestro Reggiana (ITA) vs. Pelister Bitola (MKD) at 15:30 CET QF2: Bursaspor Basketbol (TUR) vs. Lowen Braunschweig (GER) at 17:45 CET QF1: PAOK mateco (GRE) vs. SC Derby (MNE) at 20:00 CET
Semi-Finals Sunday, September 21 Winner of QF4 vs. Winner of QF3 at 13:15 CET Winner of QF2 vs. Winner of QF1 at 15:30 CET
Final Tuesday, September 23 Winner of SF2 vs. Winner of SF1 at 15:30 CET
The winner of QRT2 will join Joventut Badalona (ESP), Hapoel Netanel Holon (ISR) and Cholet Basket (FRA) in Group C of the Regular Season.
Qualification Round Tournament 3
Quarter-Finals Saturday, September 20 QF3: Falco Szombathely (HUN) vs. FC Porto (POR) at 13:15 CET QF4: Fribourg Olympic Basket (SUI) vs. Elan Chalon (FRA) at 15:30 CET QF2: Karhu Basket Kauhajoki (FIN) vs. Uniclub Bet - Juventus Utena (LTU) at 17:45 CET QF1: UCAM Murcia (ESP) vs. PGE Start Lublin (POL) at 20:00 CET
Semi-Finals Monday, September 22 Winner of QF3 vs. Winner of QF4 at 13:15 CET Winner of QF2 vs. Winner of QF1 at 15:30 CET
Final Wednesday, September 24 Winner of SF1 vs. Winner of SF2 at 19:00 CET
The winner of QRT3 will join ALBA BERLIN (GER), ERA Nymburk (CZE) and Sabah BC (AZE) in Group B of the Regular Season.
Season X of the BCL tips off on October 7, 2025.
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