The VTB United League Board took place in Moscow today. The list of participating teams for the 2026/27 season was approved.
Astana, who missed the 2025/26 season, have returned to the League. Dynamo Vladivostok make their League debut.
Astana
City: Astana, Kazakhstan
Founded: 2011
Club colors: turquoise, black
Home arena: Zheкpe-zhek Martial Arts Palace (capacity – 5,000)
General Director: Samson Arakelyan
Achievements:
12-time Kazakhstan champions (2012–2015, 2017–2023, 2025)
VTB United League Quarterfinals (2017, 2019)
Website: https://astanabasket.kz/
Notable players: Jerry Johnson, Janis Blums, Rustam Murzagaliyev, Rashid Mahalbasic, Leonidas Kaselakis
Astana General Director Samson Arakelyan:
– For me personally it feels like last season never happened – I am very happy to see so many familiar faces. I also want to congratulate Dynamo Vladivostok; they have worked toward this for a long time. It is always great to see new teams join.
I want to say a big thank you to the League. The VTB United League is the competition that Astana was created for. The club was originally built for international tournaments.
In the new season, like any newcomer, we need to prove ourselves – both in how we organize games, since we will have a new arena, and on the court. We want to improve on our previous results. We will be fighting for a spot in the Playoffs and the play-in.
Within Kazakhstan, our number one priority is developing local players. For the Basketball Federation of Kazakhstan and the national team, Astana is a breeding ground. More than half of the national team players are ours. So regardless of results, the VTB United League gives us the chance to develop our players and qualify for the World Cup through the Asian qualifiers.
Dynamo Vladivostok
City: Vladivostok, Russia
Founded: 2021
Club colors: blue, white
Home arena: Fetisov Arena (capacity – 5,500)
Director: Eduard Sandler
Achievements:
Super League champions (2024)
Russian Cup bronze medalists (2026)
Website: https://bcdynamo25.ru/
Notable players: Anton Ponkrashov, Ivan Strebkov, Andrei Desyatnikov, Daniil Aksenov, Ivan Viktorov
Dynamo Director Eduard Sandler:
– This is the culmination of everything we have been working toward. And the culmination of work by Vladivostok, Primorsky Krai, my leadership – the Governor of Primorsky Krai and the Chairman of the Dynamo Society. This is a big moment for Vladivostok. The emotions are incredible. We are ready.
Our goal is not to give up halfway. We have been accepted on a trial basis, so we need to show the League that we are serious. We want to compete with Samara, Avtodor and Enisey.
Participating teams: Avtodor (Russia), Astana (Kazakhstan), Dynamo Vladivostok (Russia), Enisey (Russia), Zenit (Russia), Lokomotiv Kuban (Russia), MBA (Russia), BETCITY PARMA (Russia), Samara (Russia), UNICS (Russia), Uralmash (Russia), CSKA (Russia).
