Euroleague announces its inaugural Supercup in Abu Dhabi

European club basketball will experience an unprecedented milestone with the launch of the Euroleague Supercup, an innovative competition that signifies a significant change in the international sports calendar. This joint initiative between Euroleague Basketball and the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi will transform the way each season begins, bringing together the top teams in a single elite event.

The Etihad Arena on Yas Island will be the chosen venue to host this newly established tournament. The facilities in Abu Dhabi will welcome fans for two intense days of top-level basketball, with games scheduled for Friday, September 18, and Saturday, September 19. Season passes are already available on the Etihad Arena website, allowing supporters to secure their tickets to witness this inaugural edition.

Four powerhouses gather in Abu Dhabi

The first edition will bring together four elite clubs representing the best of continental basketball. The current Euroleague champion, Olympiacos Piraeus, will share the court with the 2025 Euroleague champion, Fenerbahçe Tarfin Istanbul. Completing the lineup will be the 2026 Euroleague runner-up, Real Madrid, and Dubai Basketball, representing the United Arab Emirates, which will add a regional dimension to the event.

This selection of participants reflects Euroleague's criteria of bringing together the top winners and competitors from the previous season, creating an attractive lineup that captures the interest of fans from across Europe and beyond. The Final Four format ensures an intense competition where every match gains immediate significance.

Schedule and competition format

The tournament will be held in a Final Four format, with two matches scheduled daily offering highly intense basketball. The competition will kick off on Friday, September 18, with the matchup between Olympiacos Piraeus and Fenerbahçe Tarfin Istanbul at 18:00 GST, equivalent to 16:00 CEST. Subsequently, at 21:00 GST (19:00 CEST), Dubai Basketball will face Real Madrid in a match that will draw special attention in the region.

The final day on Saturday, September 19, will start with the third-place match at 18:00 GST (16:00 CEST), where the two semifinal losers will battle for the bronze. The evening will conclude with the first Euroleague Supercup final at 21:00 GST (19:00 CEST), when the first champion of this new competition will be crowned.

Abu Dhabi as a destination for international sports events

The choice of Abu Dhabi as the host is not accidental. The emirate has shown a strong commitment to organizing world-class sports events, establishing itself as a benchmark destination on the international scene. Hosting the first edition of the Supercup underlines the growing importance of the region as a hub for elite competitions, reinforcing its global standing.

Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General of Tourism of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi, emphasized the significance of the event: "The first edition of the Euroleague Basketball Supercup represents a new milestone in Abu Dhabi's long-standing collaboration with Euroleague and reflects our shared ambition to promote basketball and offer top-notch experiences to fans. The arrival of four elite clubs in Abu Dhabi to kick off the new season further strengthens the emirate's position as a global destination for elite sports events, while creating lasting value for our tourism economy, local businesses, and communities."

This event is part of Abu Dhabi's broader strategy to expand its calendar of international sports competitions. The Supercup adds to previous initiatives like the Euroleague Final Four held earlier in the emirate, cementing a long-term relationship between the two parties.

Innovation and global expansion of the Euroleague

The creation of the Supercup represents a strategic change in the competitive structure of Euroleague Basketball. Dejan Bodiroga, the organization's president, expressed his satisfaction: "The launch of the Euroleague Basketball Supercup marks a new and exciting chapter for European club basketball. We are pleased to partner with DCT Abu Dhabi for the inaugural edition of this competition, which will bring together some of the most successful clubs to celebrate the start of the new season. Abu Dhabi has shown a strong commitment to basketball and exceptional international sports event organization, making it the ideal venue for this new competition."

Chus Bueno, CEO of Euroleague Basketball, added: "The Euroleague Basketball Supercup reflects our ambition to continue innovating and expanding the reach of European club basketball. Launching this new competition in Abu Dhabi allows us to reach new audiences while providing fans, clubs, and sponsors with a top-notch event showcasing the best of our sport. We look forward to establishing the Supercup as a must-attend event on the international basketball calendar."

This initiative is part of Euroleague's international growth strategy, supported by IMG, the organization's strategic partner. The agreement aims to expand the global presence of the competition and create new business opportunities for clubs, sponsors, and media.

The Supercup positions itself as a premier annual event showcasing elite European club basketball, consolidating a platform where the best institutions on the continent can compete on a globally significant stage. With this competition, Euroleague reinforces its commitment to innovation and sporting excellence, laying the foundation for future editions to continue attracting top teams and global audiences.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Euroliga anuncia su Supercopa inaugural en Abu Dabi