Barcelona, September 15, 2026
The EuroLeague Players Association (ELPA) held its Annual General Assembly in Barcelona on September 10, bringing together player representatives from across the EuroLeague ahead of the new season.
The assembly provided an opportunity for players to convene, exchange, and actively contribute to shaping the priorities for the year ahead. It was also the occasion for ELPA to welcome a new Vice President: Georgios Papagiannis, who was elected to the role by his peers during the meeting. ELPA would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Mario Hezonja for his dedication and contribution as Vice President – his commitment to his fellow players has been greatly valued by the association.
A significant moment in the program was the address by Chus Bueno, CEO of EuroLeague Basketball, who joined the assembly to update players directly on the upcoming developments within the League, and to take their questions. The exchange reflected the importance ELPA places on maintaining an open and constructive dialogue between players and the institutions that govern the game.
“Grateful to the players for their active participation and valuable contributions at this year’s General Assembly,” said Alexander Engelhard, ELPA Secretary General. “It’s fantastic to see how the ELPA General Assembly has evolved from an event held to fulfil statutory requirements of our association to an interactive platform for ELPA management, players, and stakeholders to come together to shape the future of their sport. Very proud of the ELPA team for making it happen.“
The assembly also included a team exercise led by Beatriz Roca, Head of ELPA’s Second Career Program. Working in groups, players were invited to identify, debate, and present their ideas on how ELPA can best support them in the areas that matter most to them in their professional and personal lives.
“During the meeting, players had the opportunity to engage in a very productive dynamic where, working in teams they brainstormed, curated, prioritized and pitched to the rest of the teams their key ideas on how ELPA can continue to support them in this new season in the most important areas of their careers & lives. This is one way Team Representatives contribute to shape the goals and objectives of ELPA.” said Beatriz Roca, Head of Second Career Program.
“These meetings are about listening, sharing experiences and working together to make things better for the current and the next generation of players,” said Tornike Shengelia, ELPA President. “The day was very productive, and I feel that we had meaningful conversations about where we are today as an association and where we want to go in the future. It was a great opportunity to bring everyone closer while looking honestly at ourselves as an association – identifying where we are doing well and where we can improve. Opportunities like these are extremely valuable because they help turn our conversations into practical ideas and meaningful action.”
The Annual General Assembly remains one of the most important moments in ELPA’s calendar — a space where players are not simply informed, but heard.
