Dubai Basketball tip-off in EuroLeague

Image: Coca-Cola Arena

Dubai Basketball has secured a coveted spot in the prestigious EuroLeague for the 2025-26 season.

Arab News said the UAE-based team will now compete in two European leagues next season — the Adriatic Basketball Association (ABA) League and EuroLeague

EuroLeague announced its expansion from 18 to 20 teams in late May, and Dubai Basketball will now face the likes of Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, and reigning champions Fenerbahce.

Dubai Basketball will bring top-tier European basketball to the Coca-Cola Arena from September to June.

The Dubai Basketball Club, commonly known as Dubai BC, is an Emirati professional basketball team based in Dubai. Founded in 2024, the team plays in the ABA League starting from the 2024-2025 seasons, and in EuroLeague from 2025.

The Coca-Cola Arena is a multipurpose arena located in the City Walk area in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The venue was opened on June 6th, 2019. It has a capacity of 17,000.

Owned by Meraas (holding company headquartered in Dubai) and operated by ASM Global, the arena hosts events that include concerts, sport, family entertainment, and ceremonies.

Dubai Basketball enjoyed a historic debut season in the ABA League, reaching the playoff semi-finals before being halted by European powerhouse Partizan.

Although their campaign ended short of the final, finishing in third overall, the season laid a strong foundation for what promises to be a defining second season for the club.

The club’s multicultural roster features standout players from the UAE, the Philippines, the United States, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Jordan, Türkiye, Latvia, Italy, Bosnia, and France, coached by FIBA-licensed professionals.

Abdulla Saeed Juma Al-Naboodah, chairman and founder of Dubai Basketball, said: “I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the leadership of Dubai and the Dubai Sports Council for their unwavering support. Their vision and commitment have been instrumental in making the success of Dubai Basketball possible.”

Coached by Jurica Golemac, Dubai Basketball are now set to make their EuroLeague debut in 2025-26, going head-to-head with some of the most celebrated basketball teams in what is widely recognized as one of the toughest leagues in the world.

Dejan Kamenjasevic, the co-founder and co-chief executive officer of Dubai Basketball, said: “Dubai Basketball is not an instant project; it has taken us years to reach the point we are at today. But it brings me great pride to say that this team is an instant success.

“Credit goes to our coaches, players and all Dubai Basketball employees, who worked hard to convert this dream to a reality. Now, with EuroLeague ahead, we have even more to show.

“We’re building something this city has never seen before, and we’re excited to make history while growing the Dubai Basketball family.”

Dubai Basketball attracted nearly 80,000 fans to the Coca-Cola Arena in their first season, paving the way for a new era for the sport in the region. The club will play 38 regular-season games.

All home games will continue to be held at the Coca-Cola Arena, which boasts a capacity of 15,000 in its basketball format.

His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, said, “Dubai is confidently establishing itself as a global force in sport.

“The Dubai Sports Council will continue to support our clubs in achieving new milestones and creating meaningful opportunities for talented athletes to compete on the world’s biggest stages.”

Dubai Basketball Club’s EuroLeague participation follows the competition’s decision to expand the field to 20 teams as part of a long-term growth strategy aimed at increasing fixtures, intensifying rivalries and attracting new global audiences.

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