The European Mixed Championships was established in 1990, following an idea by the EBL President José Damiani. They comprised two separate events, the Mixed Teams and the Mixed Pairs, and were held every even-numbered year, usually at the end of March.

The European Mixed Championships succeeded the Europa Cup, as a competition sponsored by PHILIP MORRIS from its conception until 1996. The European Mixed Championships were held without interruption until 2002 when they were discontinued; as from 2003, the European Mixed Championships are held within the European Open Championships.