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Signing of the agreement for the 2025 EuroLeague Final Four. Euroleague Basketball.
Abu Dhabi to Host EuroLeague Final Four Next May

Abu Dhabi to Host EuroLeague Final Four Next May

The prestigious title will be contested outside Europe for the first time in history "to expand into new markets," after Belgrade and Barcelona were ruled out.

Amador Gómez

Madrid

Martes, 28 de enero 2025, 13:25

For the first time in history, the title of the premier continental basketball competition will be contested outside Europe. Abu Dhabi will host this year's EuroLeague Final Four, a bid also sought by Belgrade and Barcelona. EuroLeague confirmed this Tuesday, nearly two months after it was unofficially announced that the capital of the United Arab Emirates would be the venue for the final four.

"The decision to take the Final Four to Abu Dhabi is based on Euroleague Basketball's strategic ambition to expand into new markets, leveraging its 25-year legacy of success," EuroLeague highlighted this Tuesday. Basketball has also decided to open its borders to the Middle East, after all EuroLeague club owners, except Real Madrid and Olympiacos (11 out of 13), voted in favor of Abu Dhabi for economic reasons.

"Other cities have entered whose criteria are 100% economic, and we will not enter any auction of who offers more or less. We will not enter auctions with Abu Dhabi, which puts indecent amounts of money on the table. It is not good for the sport, quite the opposite," lamented Barcelona's Sports Councilor, David Escudé, last September.

"The agreement, negotiated by the league's strategic partner, IMG, marks a historic expansion of the EuroLeague into new global markets," acknowledges the organization presided over by Dejan Bodiroga. The major European title will be contested between May 23 and 25 at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, with a capacity for 12,000 spectators. "Bringing the Final Four to Abu Dhabi is an ambitious project and a remarkable opportunity to showcase the EuroLeague atmosphere to a new and diverse audience. At the same time, this partnership guarantees our loyal fans a new experience in one of the world's most modern and touristic cities. Together, we will deliver another top-tier event that will elevate the EuroLeague to new heights," assured the former Serbian player.

"Sporting Excellence"

"Abu Dhabi has quickly become the basketball hub in the Middle East. Abu Dhabi, a center of sporting excellence, will offer fans a world-class experience at the Final Four events at the Etihad Arena, providing a warm welcome and a wide range of attractions and experiences, in addition to the matches themselves," noted Saood Al Hosani, the Emirati capital's Undersecretary of Culture and Tourism.

Abu Dhabi has rapidly become one of the leading venues for major sporting competitions in the Middle East. It has hosted the FIFA Club World Cup in 2009 and 2010, the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, the Triathlon World Championship, and UFC fights, as well as being the venue for a Formula 1 Grand Prix. Basketball has also gained momentum in the city, hosting several NBA preseason games and the USA Basketball Showcase, a friendly tournament featuring the national teams of the United States, Serbia, and Australia.

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todoalicante Abu Dhabi to Host EuroLeague Final Four Next May