A picture taken on April 24, 2020 in Mies, shows a board at the entrance of the International Basketball Federation FIBA in Switzerland. (FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP)

MIES, Switzerland - The International Basketball Federation has announced the 32-team list for the regular season of the Basketball Champions League after the Qualification Round Tournaments concluded in Europe on Sunday.

Nine national champions and teams from 16 European countries will kick off the new season on October 3

Bakken Bears of Denmark, Portugal's SL Benfica of Portugal, Unicaja of Spain and Turkish outfit Tofas Bursa booked their tickets to the 2022-23 regular season in their respective Finals in Belgrade, Lisbon, Malaga and Skopje, FIBA said on Sunday.

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This is the first time for 28-time Portuguese champions Benfica to compete in the BCL, and also the first time Portugal has been represented in the league. Nine national champions and teams from 16 European countries will kick off the new season on October 3.

The BCL was founded by FIBA in 2016 to feature champions and teams from 11 European leagues.