The 2026-2027 season of the Ülker Basketball Youth League will start with a new format featuring 16 teams. Games in the boys' category will begin with matches on Oct. 18, 2026.
According to a statement from the Turkish Basketball Federation, the teams will compete at the Ülker Youth Halls at the Turkcell Basketball Development Center. The girls' category of the competition will begin with games on Nov. 27, 28 and 29.
Turkoglu: A strong youth system is important
Turkish Basketball Federation President Hidayet Turkoglu said a strong youth system is one of the most important factors shaping the future of Turkish basketball.
Noting that the Basketball Youth League, which began with boys in 2017, gives young athletes top-level competitive experience, Turkoglu said the competition helps players showcase their talents and prepare for professional basketball. Turkoglu said many athletes playing for national teams and major European clubs have competed in this league.
Turkoglu wished success to the teams, athletes and technical staff who will take part in the competition, which continues this season with Ülker as title sponsor.
Regular season to be played in three rounds
The boys' category, featuring the youth teams of the 16 clubs in the Türkiye Sigorta Basketball Super League, will consist of two divisions, League A and League B. Unlike last season, the regular season will be played as a three-round league over seven windows, with each team playing 21 games.
The top four teams in League A at the end of the regular season will take part in the Final Four, where the champion will be determined. Teams in designated positions in the League A and League B standings will play Play-Out games for the right to play in League A next season.
Aliağa Petkim Spor, Anadolu Efes, Bahçeşehir Koleji, Fenerbahçe Tarfin, Galatasaray, Karşıyaka, TOFAŞ and Türk Telekom will be in League A. Beşiktaş, Bursaspor, Çayırova Belediyesi, Esenler Erokspor, Körfez Basket, Mektebim Denizli Basket, Pizzabulls Bandırma Bordo and Trabzonspor will compete in League B.
First week schedule
The games to be played on Oct. 18, 2026, and their venues are as follows:
- 12:30 Bahçeşehir Koleji-TOFAŞ — Ülker Halley Hall C1
- 12:30 Bursaspor Basketbol-Körfez Basket — Ülker Go Ahead Hall C2
- 12:30 Trabzonspor-Beşiktaş — Ülker Çizi Hall C3
- 15:00 Çayırova Belediyesi-Pizzabulls Bordo Bandırma — Ülker Halley Hall C1
- 15:00 Fenerbahçe Tarfin-Karşıyaka — Ülker Go Ahead Hall C2
- 15:00 Esenler Erokspor-Mektebim Denizli Basket — Ülker Çizi Hall C3
- 17:30 Türk Telekom-Aliağa Petkim Spor — Ülker Halley Hall C1
- 17:30 Anadolu Efes-Galatasaray — Ülker Go Ahead Hall C2
On Oct. 19, 2026, the games Körfez Basket-Çayırova Belediyesi, Karşıyaka-Türk Telekom, Mektebim Denizli Basket-Trabzonspor, Beşiktaş-Esenler Erokspor, TOFAŞ-Anadolu Efes, Pizzabulls Bordo Bandırma-Bursaspor Basketbol, Aliağa Petkim Spor-Fenerbahçe Tarfin and Galatasaray-Bahçeşehir Koleji will be played.
Ülker's support
Ülker CEO Ozgur Kolukfaki said the company provides long-term support for the development of sports and young people. Kolukfaki said they are pleased to give their name this season to the league that prepares young basketball players for the future, and that the games will be played at the Ülker Youth Halls.
