The highly anticipated EuroLeague 2025-26 calendar has been officially unveiled, setting the stage for another season of intense continental basketball. With 38 match days featuring 10 double-round weeks, the schedule promises relentless action from start to finish. For Italian basketball enthusiasts, the initial fixtures for both Olimpia Milano and Virtus Bologna suggest anything but a gentle warm-up. It appears both squads are slated for an immediate baptism by fire.
Olimpia Milano: A Road Warrior`s Welcome
Olimpia Milano, under the guidance of coach Ettore Messina, will kick off their EuroLeague campaign with what can only be described as a demanding road trip. Their debut is scheduled for September 30 in Belgrade against the formidable Crvena Zvezda (Red Star). Merely two days later, on October 2, they will again grace the Serbian capital, this time facing local rivals Partizan. For those keeping score, that`s two high-stakes away games in quick succession, within one of Europe`s most passionate and, shall we say, vociferous basketball environments.
The challenging start doesn`t end there. Four of Milano`s first five encounters are set to be played away from their home court. Their first opportunity to play in front of their home crowd at the Mediolanum Forum will arrive on October 9, when they host AS Monaco, featuring their former star Nikola Mirotic. Prior to that, further away tests await against Bayern Munich in Bavaria and Zalgiris Kaunas in Lithuania. It`s a schedule designed to test resolve and cohesion from day one, offering little room for error.
Virtus Bologna: Opening with a Royal Flush
Virtus Bologna, helmed by coach Dusko Ivanovic, will experience a similarly high-stakes beginning, albeit with the distinct advantage of starting their journey at home. Their EuroLeague season opens on September 30 at the Paladozza, welcoming none other than EuroLeague giants Real Madrid. One might call it a rather ambitious curtain-raiser; no gentle easing into the season, just a direct clash with one of the competition`s perennial powerhouses.
Following this grand home debut, Virtus will embark on their first away game on October 3 against Valencia, before heading to Paris on October 9. The early home fixtures at Paladozza after the Real Madrid showdown continue to impress, featuring matchups against Monaco, Panathinaikos, Anadolu Efes, and Maccabi Tel Aviv. This sequence of opponents reads like a veritable who`s who of EuroLeague elite, ensuring the Bologna faithful will have plenty of high-caliber basketball to witness.
The EuroDerby: A January Treat
A date already circled by many on their calendars will be the much-anticipated EuroDerby. The clash between Olimpia Milano and Virtus Bologna is slated for January 2, with Virtus set to host the first installment of this domestic rivalry on their home court. These matchups are always charged with extra intensity, making them must-watch events within the broader EuroLeague landscape.
The 2025-26 EuroLeague season promises to be another thrilling chapter in European basketball. For Olimpia Milano and Virtus Bologna, the calendar has presented an immediate, rigorous test of their capabilities. Their ability to navigate these challenging early fixtures will undoubtedly set the tone for their respective campaigns, as the pursuit of continental glory begins without delay.
Gilbert Pendleton