The Italian basketball landscape is set for another thrilling season as the Lega Basket Serie A Unipol officially unveils its 2025-26 calendar. Far from a mere list of dates, this schedule outlines a grueling marathon designed to test the mettle of Italy’s finest, particularly those with aspirations beyond domestic borders.
The Rivalry Reignites: Milano vs. Bologna
At the heart of Italian basketball, two titans consistently vie for supremacy: Virtus Olidata Bologna, the reigning champions, and EA7 Emporio Armani Milano, their perennial rivals. The new season kicks off on October 5th, with both contenders enjoying a home court advantage. Virtus Bologna will tip off against Napoli, while Milano hosts Bertram Derthona Tortona.
However, the dates truly circled on every fan’s calendar are those marking the direct confrontations between these two powerhouses. Their initial clash is slated for December 14th in Milan, with the return fixture arriving on March 15th in Bologna. It`s a calendar that, somewhat predictably, maintains an asymmetric structure, ensuring fans are kept on their toes for return encounters that won`t simply mirror the first half of the season.
A Season Delayed, A Schedule Compressed
The late start to the domestic season, beginning in October, isn`t a whimsical choice but a practical necessity. Italy`s national team commitments, including the European Championship kicking off on August 28th (with a challenging opener against Giannis Antetokounmpo`s Greece) and culminating in the September 14th final, have necessitated this adjustment. This international prelude means the Serie A season will launch with a bang, not a whisper.
Before the league proper commences, fans will be treated to the traditional curtain-raiser: the Italian Supercup. The Unipol Forum in Assago will host this mini-tournament on September 27th and 28th. The semifinals feature an immediate high-octane encounter between Bologna and Milano, while Brescia and Trento battle it out in the other bracket. The winners will then face off in the final, providing an early taste of silverware and setting the tone for the season.
The EuroLeague Gauntlet: No Time to Breathe
For Virtus and Milano, the Supercup and Serie A debut are merely appetizers. The expanded EuroLeague, now featuring 20 teams, begins even earlier than usual, demanding double-round weeks right from the outset. Both Italian EuroLeague representatives are scheduled for their first pair of European fixtures on September 30th and October 2nd.
This means that by the time the Serie A season begins on October 5th, these top teams will already be several games deep into their demanding European campaigns. It`s a schedule that promises little respite, forcing coaches to master the art of rotation and player management early on. One might almost infer a mischievous delight from the schedule-makers in crafting such a relentless start – a true test of endurance and depth right from the word “go.”
Opening Day Fixtures (October 5th):
- Virtus Bologna vs. Napoli
- EA7 Emporio Armani Milano vs. Bertram Derthona Tortona
- Trento vs. Cantù
- Trieste vs. Trapani
- Treviso vs. Brescia
- Venezia vs. Cremona
- Sassari vs. Varese
- Reggio Emilia vs. Udine
This intricate web of domestic ambition and European demands ensures that the 2025-26 Italian basketball season will be nothing short of captivating. Fans can brace themselves for a journey filled with high-stakes clashes, strategic battles, and the relentless pursuit of glory on multiple fronts.