Twenty-four teams (European national domestic league champions, plus the then current title holders), playing in a tournament system, entered a Quarterfinals group stage, divided into six groups that played in a round-robin. The final standing was based on individual wins and defeats. In the case of a tie between two or more teams after the group stage, the following criteria were used to decide the final classification:
number of wins in one-to-one games between the teams;
basket average between the teams;
general basket average within the group.
The six group winners of the Quarterfinals group stage advanced to the Semifinals group stage, which was played as a single group under the same round-robin rules.
The group winner and the runner-up of the Semifinals group stage qualified for the final, which was played at a predetermined venue.
Quarterfinals group stage
Key to colors
Top place in each group advance to Semifinal group stage
