Turkish basketball fans learned the eagerly anticipated start date for this year's domestic competition. The Spor Toto Basketball League 2016-2017 season will start on Oct. 8, the sport's organizing body announced.

According to the Turkish Basketball Federation and participating club sides, which met in Istanbul on Monday, the season will be completed on May 15. Federation president, Harun Erdenay, praised Turkish clubs for their successes and the high level shown last year inside the country and in European competitions.

Fenerbahçe were crowned Turkish champions and 2015-16 Turkish Airlines Euroleague runners-up after losing to CSKA Moscow. Turkish Basketball League Director Samer Şenbayrak said the fixture draw for the upcoming season would be held on Aug. 2.