Clubs mainly qualify based on their performance in national leagues and cup competitions, although this is not the sole deciding factor.
On June 30, 2015, FIBA announced it would start a new league to compete with Euroleague Basketball's EuroCup.
The 2015–16 FIBA Europe Cup attracted 16 domestic champions and 8 runners-up including KK Cibona, Pallacanestro Cantu, ASVEL, Pallacanestro Varese, CEZ Nymburk, BK Ventspils, PBC Academic and Krka.
The first FIBA Europe Cup game was played on October 21, 2015, when Donar Groningen beat Egis Körmend 78–71.
Frankfurt Skyliners won the 1st edition in a Final Four tournament and represented Europe in the 2016 FIBA Intercontinental Cup, following the FIBA-EuroLeague dispute.
[3] For the play-offs, the winning team and runner-up from each group join them and play a two-legged format.