The 1978–79 FIBA European Champions Cup was the 22nd season of the European Champions Cup club competition, predecessor of the Euroleague. The Final was held at the Palais des Sports in Grenoble, France on April 5, 1979. Bosna defeated Emerson Varese, by a result of 96–93. This final was a last in impressive line of ten consecutive finals for Varese, and is also notable for Bosna's Žarko Varajić scoring 45 points, a still active record in a number of points scored in Euroleague finals.
22 teams (domestic champions and title holder) enter a Quarter finals group stage, divided into six groups playing a round-robin. The final standing is based on individual wins and defeats. In case of a tie between two or more teams after this group stage, the following criteria is used to decide the final classification: 1) number of wins in one-to-one games between the teams; 2) basket average between the teams; 3) general basket average within the group
The 6 group winners of the Quarter finals group stage advance to Semi finals group stage, played as a single group under the same round-robin rules.
The group winner and the runner-up of the Semi finals group stage qualify for the final, played at a predetermined venue.