EUROPE’S YOUTH BASKETBALL ELITE COMES TO LAKTAŠI

MIES (Switzerland) – The Youth Basketball Champions League is returning for its fourth season, with the city of Laktaši, Bosnia and Herzegovina, selected as the host of the 2026 tournament.

PHOTO: ATV

The most prestigious independent pan-European club competition for U18 teams will tip off on April 7, with the new champion to be crowned on April 12.

A total of 12 teams will take part in the new edition of the Youth BCL, representing nine different European countries. Among them are the previous title winners – hosts Igokea m:tel, who claimed the first trophy in Bursa in 2023, as well as Rytas Vilnius, the back-to-back champions from Debrecen in 2024 and Manisa in 2025.

The remaining ten teams are:

BA Nymburk (Czech Republic), Bnei Herzliya (Israel), EWE Baskets Oldenburg (Germany), Filou Oostende (Belgium), Galatasaray (Türkiye), Gran Canaria (Spain), Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg (Germany), Sabah BC (Azerbaijan), Telekom Baskets Bonn (Germany), and Tofaş Bursa (Türkiye).

Komninos: The Laktaši Tournament Will Be the Best Yet

Basketball Champions League CEO Patrick Comninos highlighted the importance of the competition for the development of young players.

“This Youth BCL development project is not only our pleasure, but also our responsibility. These tournaments are always unique, not just for fans across the continent, but especially for the players, as most of them gain their first real experience of international basketball right here,” said Comninos.

He added that Laktaši offers ideal conditions for a top-class event:

“We are confident that the tournament in Laktaši will be the highest-quality edition so far, especially considering the dedication of the city of Laktaši and the host club Igokea m:tel, the excellent conditions for all participants, and the many off-court workshops and programs. The bar has been set high, but the fourth edition will raise it even further.”

Call for Fans to Be Part of the Spectacle

Igokea m:tel General Manager Igor Dodik stressed the importance of hosting the event for both the club and the city.

“It is an honor and a great pleasure to welcome the 12 best youth clubs of one generation to Laktaši in April. We can show everyone that we are great hosts. It will be a tough test for us, but I am confident we will pass it. I invite all basketball fans to come to Laktaši and be part of the tournament,” said Dodik.

Young Athletes as Ambassadors of Laktaši

Mayor of Laktaši Miroslav Bojić underlined the importance of sport for the local community.

“It is a great honor and privilege that Igokea represents our city in the Youth Basketball Champions League. We are extremely proud of our young athletes who, with their talent, dedication and hard work, represent Laktaši and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the best possible way. The city will continue to strongly support sport and youth, because they are the best ambassadors of our community,” Bojić stated.