The 2026-2027 season of the Ülker Basketball Youth League will begin with a new format featuring 16 teams. Games in the men's category will begin on October 18, 2026.
The Turkish Basketball Federation said the teams will compete at the Ülker Training Halls at the Turkcell Basketball Development Center. The women's category of the competition will begin with games on November 27, 28 and 29.
Türkoğlu: Strong youth development is important
Turkish Basketball Federation President Hidayet Türkoğlu said strong youth development was one of the most important elements shaping the future of Turkish basketball.
Türkoğlu said the Basketball Youth League, which began with the men's category in 2017, gave young athletes high-level competitive experience. He said the competition helped players showcase their abilities and prepare for professional basketball. Türkoğlu added that many athletes who play for national teams and major clubs in Europe had competed in the league.
Türkoğlu wished success to the teams, athletes and technical staff taking part in the competition, which will continue with Ülker as its title sponsor this season.
Regular season to be played over three rounds
The men's category, in which the youth teams of the 16 clubs competing in the Turkish Insurance Basketball Super League will take part, will consist of two divisions: League A and League B. Unlike last season, the regular season will be played in a three-round league format across seven windows, with each team playing 21 games.
The top four teams in League A at the end of the regular season will qualify for the Final Four, where the champion will be determined. Teams finishing in the designated positions in Leagues A and B will play in the Play-Out games for the right to compete in League A next season.
Aliağa Petkim Spor, Anadolu Efes, Bahçeşehir Koleji, Fenerbahçe Tarfin, Galatasaray, Karşıyaka, TOFAŞ and Türk Telekom will compete 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 scheduled for October 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 October 19, 2026, 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 play.
Ülker's support
Ülker CEO Özgür Kölükfakı said the company provided long-term support for the development of sports and young people. Kölükfakı said they were pleased to sponsor the league this season and to see the games played at the Ülker Training Halls, where young basketball players are prepared for the future.
