BK Pardubice secured a spot in the 2026/27 Basketball Champions League (BCL) by being placed in pot 4, as confirmed by the draw held on July 7, 2026. The club will play its first games in the group stage starting October 6, marking the official start of its European campaign.
What was the outcome of the draw?
The draw divided 32 teams into four pots based on BCL club and national rankings. BK Pardubice landed in pot 4 alongside Bamberg Baskets (Germany), Cibona Zagreb (Croatia), FC Porto (Portugal), Surne Bilbao (Spain), Trabzonspor (Turkey) and the winners of two qualifying tournaments. This placement means Pardubice could face opponents from pots 1, 2 or 3 when groups are randomly assigned.
What does this mean for BK Pardubice?
Being in pot 4 suggests the team will meet stronger opponents from pot 1 such as AEK Athens (Greece) or Unicaja Malaga (Spain). Despite the tough draw, BK Pardubice can leverage home‑court advantage in Pardubice to collect points early in the group phase. Each group plays six games – three at home and three away – with group winners advancing directly, while second and third places enter a play‑in.
When and where will the games be played?
The first BCL round kicks off on October 6, 2026 and runs through December. BK Pardubice is likely to debut at its home arena in Pardubice, where fans expect a packed house and high intensity. All matches will be streamed live on the official BCL YouTube channel, allowing international supporters to follow the team.
What are the next steps before the start?
Two qualifying tournaments will take place in September to decide the two additional teams joining the main draw. BK Pardubice will focus on preparation, including training blocks aimed at perimeter shooting and fast‑break offense. Head coach Milan Škoda emphasized the need to improve FG% and reduce turnovers to compete at the European level.
Who could be the key player?
Scorer Jakub Novotný (averaging 14.2 pts per game in the NBL) is expected to be the primary source of points. Defensively, the team will rely on Petr Havel, who last season averaged 2.1 blocks and 1.8 steals per game. Their combined performance and team chemistry could determine success in the opening phase.
What can fans expect?
Fans of BK Pardubice can look forward to tight battles where every possession in the paint and on the perimeter matters. Given the schedule and opponent quality, executing quick transitions and an effective pick‑and‑roll will be essential. Each point, rebound and assist will carry weight that could decide advancement to the next round.