From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base
VTB United League
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | VTB United League |
| image | VTB United League logo.png |
| pixels | 200 |
| country | Russia |
| confed | FIBA Europe |
| FIBA Asia | |
| founded | |
| first | [2009–10](2009-10-vtb-united-league) |
| teams | 11 |
| levels | 1 |
| domest_cup | Russian Cup |
| supercup | VTB League Supercup |
| confed_cup | West Asia Super League |
| champions | CSKA Moscow (12th title) |
| season | 2024–25 |
| most_champs | CSKA Moscow (12 titles) |
| website | |
| current | 2024–25 |
FIBA Asia
The VTB United League () is an international professional men's club basketball league that was founded in 2009. As of the 2025–26 season, it consists exclusively of Russian clubs. Since 2013, it is the first tier of Russian professional club basketball. Therefore, the highest placed Russian team in the league can also be named the Russian national champions. The league is sponsored by Russian state-owned VTB Bank. In 2009 CSKA Moscow won VTB United League Promo-Cup, but this competition does not count as official VTB title. CSKA has dominated the league, having won majority of titles its existence. The VTB United League also holds a youth competition, the VTB United Youth League.
History
The first step in the creation of the league was a competition named the VTB United League Promo-Cup held in Moscow in December 2009. The final of the Promo-Cup was played on December 22, 2009, and was won by CSKA Moscow, who defeated Khimki 70–66. Kyiv ended third.
Unification with the Russian PBL
In May 2012, all the PBL clubs gathered to decide which format would be used for the next season, and some club's directors raised the possibility of uniting with the VTB United League, to produce greater competition between the Russian basketball clubs. They suggested that the new league be named the Eastern European Professional Basketball League.
In July 2012, the Council of VTB United League decided that the PBL league would continue for one more year, with some games of the VTB United League that took place between two Russian clubs being counted as PBL games. The first tier Russian clubs then replaced the PBL with the VTB United League as their new national domestic league, starting with the 2013-14 season.
The VTB United League was recognized by FIBA Europe in September 2013. The league was then officially recognized by FIBA World in October 2014. The league needed to be recognized by both bodies, because it contains clubs that come from countries that are part of both the European and Asian FIBA zones.
The honorary head of the league is Sergei Ivanov and its official sponsor is Pavel Vrublevsky of ChronoPay.
Formats
In its inaugural 2009–10 season, the VTB United League featured clubs from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, and Ukraine. For the 2010–11 season, teams from Belarus, Finland, and Poland were added to the league. The 2011–12 season featured 18 teams, with new teams being added from the Czech Republic and Kazakhstan. In the 2012–13 season, the number of teams increased to 20. The number of teams decreased to 16 for the 2014–15 season, and the teams from Lithuania and Ukraine dropped out of the league.
During the 2021–22 season, ten teams were left to compete after the Polish and Estonian clubs withdrew from the league in protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
As of the 2025–26 season, the VTB United League consisted of 11 teams:
| Team | Home city |
|---|---|
| BC Avtodor | Saratov |
| PBC CSKA Moscow | Moscow |
| BC Enisey | Krasnoyarsk |
| PBC Lokomotiv Kuban | Krasnodar |
| BC Parma | Perm |
| MBA Moscow | Moscow |
| BC Nizhny Novgorod | Nizhny Novgorod |
| BC Samara | Samara |
| BC UNICS | Kazan |
| BC Uralmash Yekaterinburg | Yekaterinburg |
| BC Zenit Saint Petersburg | Saint Petersburg |
Arena rules
In order for clubs to play in the VTB United League, they must have a home arena that has a seating capacity of at least 3,000 seats.
Team appearances
| Participants | [2008](2008-vtb-united-league-promo-cup) | [09–10](2009-10-vtb-united-league) | [10–11](2010-11-vtb-united-league) | [11–12](2011-12-vtb-united-league) | [12–13](2012-13-vtb-united-league) | [13–14](2013-14-vtb-united-league) | [14–15](2014-15-vtb-united-league) | [15–16](2015-16-vtb-united-league) | [16–17](2016-17-vtb-united-league) | [17–18](2017-18-vtb-united-league) | [18–19](2018-19-vtb-united-league) | [19–20](2019-20-vtb-united-league) | [20–21](2020-21-vtb-united-league) | [21–22](2021-22-vtb-united-league) | [22–23](2022-23-vtb-united-league) | [23–24](2023-24-vtb-united-league) | [24–25](2024-25-vtb-united-league) | 8 | 8 | 12 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belarus Tsmoki-Minsk | GS | GS | GS | GS | 14th | 12th | 12th | 9th | 14th | (13th) | 13th | 9th | 12th | 14th | ||||||||||||||||||||
| CZE Nymburk | GS | GS | GS | 15th | QF | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EST Kalev/Cramo | GS | GS | GS | GS | 9th | 14th | 11th | 12th | QF | (8th) | 10th | Ret | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIN Bisons Loimaa | 13th | 13th | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIN Espoon Honka | GS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIN Torpan Pojat | QR | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GEO VITA Tbilisi | 16th | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KAZ Astana | 1/8 | 1/8 | QF | 15th | QF | 10th | QF | (9th) | 12th | 10th | 11th | 13th | 12th | |||||||||||||||||||||
| LAT ASK Rīga | 7th | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAT VEF Rīga | GS | GS | QF | GS | GS | 11th | QF | QF | 10th | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LTU Lietuvos rytas | GS | 3rd | GS | SF | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LTU Neptūnas | GS | GS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LTU Šiauliai | QR | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LTU Žalgiris | 5th | 3rd | 1/8 | 1/8 | 3rd | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| POL Anwil | QR | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| POL Prokom | 8th | GS | GS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| POL Turów | GS | GS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| POL Zielona Góra | 12th | (7th) | QF | Ret | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RUS Avtodor | QF | QF | 10th | QF | 11th | (12th) | 9th | QF | QF | 9th | QF | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| RUS CSKA | 1st | 1st | 2nd | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | (2nd) | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 1st | 1st | |||||||||||||||||
| RUS Dynamo | 4th | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RUS Enisey | GS | GS | 1/8 | 11th | 10th | QF | 13th | 9th | (11th) | 11th | QF | 9th | QF | 10th | ||||||||||||||||||||
| RUS Khimki | 2nd | 4th | 1st | QF | 4th | QF | 2nd | SF | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd | (1st) | QF | |||||||||||||||||||||
| RUS Krasny Oktyabr | 1/8 | 12th | 9th | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RUS Krasnye Krylia | GS | QF | QF | 16th | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RUS Lokomotiv Kuban | 4th | 2nd | QF | SF | QF | SF | QF | QF | (3rd) | SF | 4th | 2nd | 4th | 4th | ||||||||||||||||||||
| RUS MBA Moscow | QF | 10th | 9th | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RUS Nizhny Novgorod | 1/8 | QF | 2nd | SF | QF | 9th | QF | QF | (10th) | QF | QF | QF | 12th | QF | ||||||||||||||||||||
| RUS Parma | 13th | 11th | 13th | (5th) | QF | QF | QF | QF | QF | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RUS Samara | 10th | QF | 11th | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RUS Spartak | QF | 1/8 | 1/8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RUS Triumph | 1/8 | QF | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RUS UNICS | 2nd | 3rd | 2nd | QF | SF | QF | 2nd | QF | 4th | SF | (4th) | 2nd | 3rd | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | ||||||||||||||||||
| RUS Uralmash | QF | QF | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RUS Zenit | QF | SF | SF | 3rd | SF | (6th) | SF | 1st | 4th | 3rd | 2nd | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| UKR Azovmash | 6th | GS | 4th | GS | GS | GS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UKR Budivelnyk | GS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UKR Dnipro | GS | QR | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UKR Donetsk | GS | 1/8 | GS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UKR Kyiv | 3rd |
Results
| Season | Finals & Final four hosts | Finals | Third Place Playoff | Gold | Score | Silver | Bronze | Score | Fourth place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | |||||||||
| *[Details](2008-vtb-united-league-promo-cup)* | Russia | ||||||||
| (USK CSKA, Moscow) | **[[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px]] | |||||||
| CSKA Moscow** | **70–66** | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px]] | ||||||
| Khimki | [[File:Flag of Ukraine.svg | 30px]] | |||||||
| Kyiv | **86–73** | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px]] | ||||||
| Dynamo Moscow | |||||||||
| 2009–10 | |||||||||
| *[Details](2009-10-vtb-united-league)* | Lithuania | ||||||||
| (Sports Hall, Kaunas) | **[[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| CSKA Moscow** | **66–55** | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| UNICS | [[File:Flag of Lithuania.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| Žalgiris | **78–72** | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| Khimki | |||||||||
| 2010–11 | |||||||||
| *[Details](2010-11-vtb-united-league)* | Russia | ||||||||
| (Basket Hall, Kazan) | **[[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| Khimki** | **66–64** | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| CSKA Moscow | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| UNICS | **95–75** | [[File:Flag of Ukraine.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| Azovmash | |||||||||
| 2011–12 | |||||||||
| *[Details](2011-12-vtb-united-league)* | Lithuania | ||||||||
| (Siemens Arena, Vilnius) | **[[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| CSKA Moscow** | **74–62** | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| UNICS | [[File:Flag of Lithuania.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| Lietuvos rytas | **91–83** | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| Lokomotiv Kuban | |||||||||
| 2012–13 | |||||||||
| *[Details](2012-13-vtb-united-league)* | In home and away venues | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| **CSKA Moscow** | **3–1** | ||||||||
| Series | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| Lokomotiv Kuban | [[File:Flag of Lithuania.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| Žalgiris | Did not play | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| Khimki | |||||||||
| 2013–14 | |||||||||
| *[Details](2013-14-vtb-united-league)* | In home and away venues | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| **CSKA Moscow** | **3–0** | ||||||||
| Series | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| Nizhny Novgorod | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| UNICS | Did not play | [[File:Flag of Lithuania.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| Lietuvos rytas | |||||||||
| 2014–15 | |||||||||
| *[Details](2014-15-vtb-united-league)* | In home and away venues | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| **CSKA Moscow** | **3–0** | ||||||||
| Series | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| Khimki | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| Lokomotiv Kuban | Did not play | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| Nizhny Novgorod | |||||||||
| 2015–16 | |||||||||
| *[Details](2015-16-vtb-united-league)* | In home and away venues | **[[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| CSKA Moscow** | **3–1** | ||||||||
| Series | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| UNICS | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| Zenit Saint Petersburg | Did not play | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| Khimki | |||||||||
| 2016–17 | |||||||||
| *[Details](2016-17-vtb-united-league)* | In home and away venues | **[[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| CSKA Moscow** | **3–0** | ||||||||
| Series | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| Khimki | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| Zenit Saint Petersburg | Did not play | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| Lokomotiv Kuban | |||||||||
| 2017–18 | |||||||||
| *[Details](2017-18-vtb-united-league)* | Russia | ||||||||
| (VTB Ice Palace, Moscow) | **[[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| CSKA Moscow** | **95–84** | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| Khimki | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| Zenit Saint Petersburg | **93–79** | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| UNICS | |||||||||
| 2018–19 | |||||||||
| *[Details](2018-19-vtb-united-league)* | In home and away venues | **[[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| CSKA Moscow** | **3–0** | ||||||||
| Series | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| Khimki | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| UNICS | Did not play | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| Zenit Saint Petersburg | |||||||||
| 2019–20 | |||||||||
| *[Details](2019-20-vtb-united-league)* | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic - no champion announced. | ||||||||
| 2020–21 | |||||||||
| *[Details](2020-21-vtb-united-league)* | In home and away venues | **[[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| CSKA Moscow** | **3–0** | ||||||||
| Series | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| UNICS | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| Lokomotiv Kuban | Did not play | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| Zenit Saint Petersburg | |||||||||
| 2021–22 | |||||||||
| *[Details](2021-22-vtb-united-league)* | In home and away venues | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| **Zenit Saint Petersburg** | **4–3** | ||||||||
| Series | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| CSKA Moscow | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| UNICS | **3–1** | ||||||||
| Series | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| Lokomotiv Kuban | |||||||||
| 2022–23 | |||||||||
| *[Details](2022-23-vtb-united-league)* | In home and away venues | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| **UNICS** | **4–1** | ||||||||
| Series | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| Lokomotiv Kuban | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| CSKA Moscow | **4–1** | ||||||||
| Series | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| Zenit Saint Petersburg | |||||||||
| 2023–24 | In home and away venues | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| **CSKA Moscow** | **4–1** | ||||||||
| Series | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| UNICS | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| Zenit Saint Petersburg | **3–1** | ||||||||
| Series | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| Lokomotiv Kuban | |||||||||
| 2024–25 | In home and away venues | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | |||||
| **CSKA Moscow** | **4–2** | ||||||||
| Series | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| Zenit Saint Petersburg | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| UNICS | **3–1** | ||||||||
| Series | [[File:Flag of Russia.svg | 30px | border]] | ||||||
| Lokomotiv Kuban |
: The whole 2008 tournament was staged in Moscow, including the Final Four. 2008 tournament does not count as official VTB title.
Titles by club
| Club | Champions | Runners-up | Winning years |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSKA Moscow | **12** | 2 | 2010, 2012-19, 2021, 2024, 2025 |
| Khimki | **1** | 4 | 2011 |
| UNICS | **1** | 5 | 2023 |
| Zenit Saint Petersburg | **1** | 1 | 2022 |
| Lokomotiv Kuban | **0** | 2 | |
| Nizhny Novgorod | **0** | 1 |
Abroad competitions
Main article: Russian basketball clubs in European and worldwide competitions
Major awards
- Hall of Fame
- Most Valuable Player
- Playoffs MVP
- Coach of the Year
- Young Player of the Year
- Sixth Man of the Year
- Defensive Player of the Year
Awards by nationality
- Top Belarusian player
- Top Estonian player
- Top Kazakh player
- Top Latvian player
- Top Russian player
Statistical awards
- Scoring leader
- Rebounding leader
- Assist leader
- Steals leader
- Block leader
- Free throw percentage leader
Records
Main article: VTB United League records
Sponsorship
Andrey Kostin's VTB Bank has been a long-term league sponsor. However, it recorded losses of connected to other sponsorships (FC Dynamo Moscow and HC Dynamo Moscow) and contributions to charities. This led to the Bank of Moscow joining as main sponsor.
Predecessor leagues
- USSR Premier League: (1923–1992)
- Russian Super League 1 (1st-tier): (1992–2010)
- Russian Professional League: (2010–2013)
References
References
- "About League". vtb-league.com.
- "PROMO-CUP: CSKA WIN". Sport Express.
- [http://www.vtb-league.com/en/news/20-clubs-will-play-in-vtb-united-league-championship-in-seasone-201213.htm 20 clubs will play in VTB United League championship in seasone-2012/13] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-06-09 , vtb-league.com, May 20, 2012)
- (30 January 2012). "PBL looks to a better future". [[ULEB]].
- [http://www.vtb-league.com/en/news/the-russian-triumph-applied-an-application-to-participate-in-the-new-season-of-vtb-united-league.htm Triumph applied an application to participate in the new season of VTB United League] {{Webarchive. link. (2013-10-14 , May 20, 2012, vtb-league.com)
- BEKO PBL Press service. "BEKO PBL Board suggests scheme of 2012/2013 season". pbleague.ru.
- [http://www.fibaeurope.com/cid_s-UpOfA-I7ki4E0Tw3qmM3.coid_vjEo3ZmGHdMtvWacb2OKL0.articleMode_on.html VTB League Officially Recognised.]
- "FIBA Europe officially recognizes VTB United League.".
- Михайлов, Сергей (Mikhailov, Sergey). (9 June 2015). "Схемщик нашел прибежище: Что ищет в России Беглый Украинский ехс-депутат Шепелев". [[:ru:Совершенно секретно (газета).
- Михайлов, Сергей (Mikhailov, Sergey). (9 June 2015). "Схемщик нашел прибежище: Что ищет в России беглый Украинский экс-депутат Шепелев". [[:ru:Совершенно секретно (газета).
- (29 April 2011). "Врублевский: ЕЛ ВТБ — это возрождение баскетбола в России". [[:ru:Чемпионат (сайт).
- (28 March 2011). "New clubs in the VTB United League". VTB United League.
- (25 February 2022). "Zielona Gora joins Kalev/Cramo in departing the VTB United League".
- "Krasnye Krylia not to compete in VTB United League next season.".
- (16 April 2015). "Убытки – не помеха для благотворительности ВТБ: В I квартале 2015 года госбанк получил 5 млрд рублей убытка и при этом 15,5 млрд рублей потратил на благотворительность". [[Vedomosti]].
This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.
Ask Mako anything about VTB United League — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.
Research with MakoFree with your Surf account
Create a free account to save articles, ask Mako questions, and organize your research.
Sign up freeThis content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.
Report