Local
-OneArabia
In a groundbreaking development for sports in the Middle East, the Dubai Basketball Club has been selected to join the EuroLeague, commencing with the 2025-26 season. This substantial announcement was made by H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who holds dual roles as the President of the UAE Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council. The EuroLeague stands as one of the premier professional basketball leagues in the world, showcasing elite teams from across Europe.
“Dubai is confidently establishing itself as a global force in sport,” stated H.H. Sheikh Mansoor. His words underscore the growing ambition of Dubai to elevate its sports landscape. “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.”
The expansion of the EuroLeague to include 20 teams aligns with its strategic goal to enhance competition and broaden its audience. The Dubai Basketball Club is poised to play a total of 38 regular-season games at the iconic Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. This thoughtful expansion aims to increase fixtures, intensify rivalries, and attract new global audiences, fostering a vibrant community around basketball.
Founded just two years ago in 2023, the Dubai Basketball Club has remarkably positioned itself as a formidable competitor, able to hold its own against both local and international teams. H.H. Sheikh Mansoor remarked, “In just two years, the club has demonstrated that it can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the sport’s elite. Its debut in the EuroLeague will not only add strength to the competition, but also inspire athletes across the UAE to pursue their dreams on the international stage.”
The club’s roster showcases a rich diversity, including players from a variety of countries such as the UAE, Philippines, USA, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Jordan, Türkiye, Latvia, Italy, Bosnia, and France. Such diversity not only enriches team dynamics but also introduces multiple playing styles, enhancing the overall quality of play.
In the recently concluded 2024-25 season, the Dubai Basketball Club made significant strides by reaching the semi-finals in the Adriatic Basketball Association (ABA) League. Competing against 16 teams hailing from six countries—Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, and the UAE—demonstrated its preparedness for the high-stakes competitions that await in EuroLeague.
Facing Global Giants
As Dubai Basketball Club joins the ranks of the EuroLeague, it will be pitted against some of the most respected teams globally, including Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, as well as competition from Olympiacos and Fenerbahçe. With a staggering annual viewership exceeding 300 million worldwide, the EuroLeague presents a prestigious platform for both players and teams alike.
This partnership marks a significant milestone for Dubai’s ascent in the global sports arena, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing local talent while simultaneously engaging with expansive international sporting communities.
With inputs from WAM
Story first published: Sunday, June 22, 2025, 21:39 [GST]
