The European Champions’ Cup competition was originally tried under the support of PHILIP MORRIS in the eighties. The so-called at the time ‘Europa Cup’ addressed the winners of the national club championship in each EBL country. Every two years, the winners of neighbouring countries met at the qualifying stage held around Europe, with the top ones advancing to the European final. The competition was discontinued in 1988, and gave way to another championship that was established in 1990 as a biennial event: the European Mixed Championships.

One of the problems that led to the discontinuation of the 'Europa Cup' was that many countries do not hold national club championships. These countries were usually represented by their national teams, thus creating a diversity. When the idea of having a competition reserved to the top was revived in 2002, a different approach was tried. Invited to send teams to the competition were now selected according to their results at a previous European Championship (itself to be decided by the EBL).

The European Champions' Cup is held annually.