Euroleague Basketball SuperCup to make Abu Dhabi debut in September
Four elite European clubs set for two-day SuperCup showdown on Yas Island
Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi is set to host the first-ever Euroleague Basketball SuperCup next month, bringing four of Europe’s leading basketball clubs to Yas Island for a new two-day tournament that will open the European club season.
The inaugural event, organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Euroleague Basketball, will take place at Etihad Arena on September 18 and 19.
Two-day ticket packages are already on sale through the Etihad Arena website, while single-day tickets will go on sale on August 31.
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Four top clubs, two days of action
The tournament will feature Olympiacos Piraeus, Fenerbahce Tarfin Istanbul, Real Madrid and Dubai Basketball, giving local fans the chance to watch some of Europe’s biggest clubs on home soil.
The competition will follow a four-team knockout format, with two games on each day.
On Friday, September 18, Olympiacos Piraeus will face Fenerbahce Tarfin Istanbul at 6pm, followed by Dubai Basketball against Real Madrid at 9pm.
The tournament will conclude the following evening, with the third-place match at 6pm and the inaugural SuperCup final at 9pm.
For Dubai Basketball, the event will provide an opportunity to compete against some of the continent’s most established teams while representing the UAE on a major international stage.
Abu Dhabi builds on basketball success
The SuperCup adds to Abu Dhabi’s growing calendar of major international sporting events and follows the success of the EuroLeague Final Four in the emirate.
Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said hosting the new competition reflects the emirate’s ambition to bring major sporting events to the capital while creating memorable experiences for fans.
He said the tournament would also support local businesses and the wider visitor economy, while helping inspire young people to take an interest in basketball.
Dejan Bodiroga, President of Euroleague Basketball, said Abu Dhabi was an ideal location for the launch of the new competition, citing the emirate’s growing commitment to basketball and its track record of hosting major international sporting events.
New fixture on basketball calendar
Chus Bueno, CEO of Euroleague Basketball, said the SuperCup was designed to bring European club basketball to new audiences and give fans a high-quality event at the start of the season.
The competition forms part of the long-term partnership between Euroleague Basketball and DCT Abu Dhabi, with the agreement brokered by Euroleague Basketball’s strategic partner IMG.
Organisers hope the SuperCup will become a regular fixture on the international basketball calendar, combining top European clubs with Abu Dhabi’s growing reputation as a destination for major sporting events.
