Abu Dhabi will host the EuroLeague Final Four in 2027 and 2029

The Euroleague Final Four will return to Abu Dhabi on two more occasions after the resounding success of its debut in May 2025. The Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi and Euroleague Basketball have confirmed that the Etihad Arena, located on Yas Island, will host the competitions on May 28 and 30, 2027, and subsequently in 2029. This announcement solidifies the strategic collaboration between the emirate and the premier European club basketball competition, reflecting the growing appeal of the region as a destination for elite sporting events.

Abu Dhabi's Success as the Inaugural Host

The 2025 edition marked a historic milestone for the city. Tickets sold out within hours, while millions of fans followed the event through the digital and broadcast platforms of Euroleague Basketball, establishing new records for viewership and engagement. Fenerbahçe Beko from Istanbul emerged as champions in front of a full capacity crowd of 12,000 spectators, demonstrating the emirate's ability to host top-level competitions with world-class infrastructure.

The success was not coincidental. Abu Dhabi invested significant resources in preparing the facilities and the fan experience, attracting a global audience that transcends the traditional markets of European basketball. This model of international expansion has allowed the Euroleague to reach new audiences while generating economic and tourist impact in the region.

Format and Schedule of Future Editions

The structure of the upcoming events maintains the scheme that worked in 2025. On Friday, May 28, the semifinals will take place, pitting the four best teams of the season against each other. The winners will advance directly to the grand final. The weekend will conclude on Sunday, May 30, with the final of the adidas NextGen EuroLeague tournament, showcasing the most promising young talents in European basketball, followed by the grand final of the Euroleague, which will crown the season champion.

This concentrated format allows fans to enjoy multiple top-level matches in just three days, creating an immersive experience around the event. The presence of the NextGen tournament also reinforces the competition's commitment to the development of future basketball, providing visibility to emerging European talents.

Economic and Tourist Impact

The announcement aligns with Abu Dhabi's Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to increase the number of visitors by more than 50 percent between 2023 and 2030. Events like the Final Four directly contribute to this goal, attracting international fans, generating jobs in the tourism sector, and supporting local businesses. The contribution of tourism to the emirate's GDP could rise from approximately 49 billion AED in 2023 to 90 billion AED annually by 2030.

Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, General Director of Tourism at the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi, emphasized that "the value of events of this magnitude transcends the court: they attract investments, generate jobs, and support local businesses, while inspiring a new generation of players and fans in our communities."

The Global Expansion of the Euroleague

The reaffirmation of commitment to Abu Dhabi is part of a broader strategy by Euroleague Basketball to strengthen its international presence. Dejan Bodiroga, president of the organization, stated that "together, we have delivered one of the best editions of the Final Four in our 26-year history, showcasing the immense global appeal of the Euroleague experience." This new milestone highlights the shared commitment to the development of basketball and the creation of unforgettable experiences for fans.

Chus Bueno, CEO of Euroleague Basketball, explained that the competition's model "combines the traditional markets of European basketball with globally prominent cities that offer top-notch facilities, great tourism appeal, and passionate sports communities." Abu Dhabi has become a key partner in this vision, enabling the Euroleague to reach the widest possible global audience.

Presence of Experience Abu Dhabi

The Experience Abu Dhabi brand continues to be one of the main partners of Euroleague Basketball competitions and the presenting partner of the Final Four. Its presence is guaranteed throughout the season in arena signage, broadcasts, and team uniforms, reinforcing the visibility of the emirate on a global scale.

This alliance also reflects the growing momentum of European club basketball in the Middle East and North Africa. In the 2025-26 season, the first in which Dubai Basketball participated, a cumulative television audience of 19.57 million viewers in the MENA region was achieved through Dubai TV. Additionally, fans in the area enjoyed the inaugural edition of the Euroleague Basketball Supercup, held in Abu Dhabi in September 2026.

A Long-Term Strategic Alliance

The return of the Final Four marks a new milestone in the multi-year collaboration between the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi and Euroleague Basketball, managed by IMG as the league's strategic partner. This partnership reinforces the emirate's position as a globally recognized destination for elite sports, consolidating infrastructures, experiences, and relationships that transcend individual editions.

The confirmation of 2027 and 2029 as celebration years sends a clear message: Abu Dhabi is committed to European basketball in the long term. Such multi-year commitments allow the Euroleague to plan with certainty and enable the city to prepare in advance to offer increasingly sophisticated experiences. Continuous investment in top-level sporting events positions the emirate as a serious competitor in the global race to attract relevant international competitions.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Abu Dabi acogerá la Final Four de la Euroliga en 2027 y 2029