Image: Coca-Cola Arena
Dubai Basketball has secured a coveted spot in the prestigious EuroLeague for the 2025-26 season.
Arab News reported that the UAE-based team will compete in two European leagues next season — the Adriatic Basketball Association (ABA) League and the EuroLeague.
This exciting development comes on the heels of EuroLeague’s expansion from 18 to 20 teams in late May, positioning Dubai Basketball to clash with basketball behemoths such as Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, and reigning champions Fenerbahce.
The Coca-Cola Arena, where Dubai Basketball will showcase top-tier European basketball, is located in the vibrant City Walk area of Dubai and has a seating capacity of 17,000. From September to June, fans can expect thrilling matchups as the team aspires to establish itself on the European stage.
Founded in 2024, the Dubai Basketball Club, commonly referred to as Dubai BC, is a professional basketball team that embarked on its mission within the ABA League during the 2024-2025 season and is set to debut in the EuroLeague in 2025.
The Coca-Cola Arena, opened on June 6th, 2019, serves multifaceted events ranging from concerts to sporting activities, managed under the auspices of Meraas, a holding company based in Dubai, alongside ASM Global, offering a world-class venue for sports fans.
In a highlight of its inaugural season in the ABA League, Dubai Basketball reached the playoff semi-finals, only to be outmatched by the storied European team, Partizan. This achievement, despite not culminating in a championship, laid a solid groundwork for the upcoming second season, brimming with potential and high expectations.
The club boasts a multicultural roster, featuring talented players from countries such as the UAE, the Philippines, the United States, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Jordan, Türkiye, Latvia, Italy, Bosnia, and France, all under the guidance of accomplished coaches licensed by FIBA.
Abdulla Saeed Juma Al-Naboodah, the chairman and founder of Dubai Basketball, expressed heartfelt gratitude towards the leadership of Dubai and the Dubai Sports Council, appreciating their unwavering support that has been crucial for the team’s journey towards success. “Their vision and commitment have been instrumental,” he stated.
Under the stewardship of Jurica Golemac, the team is gearing up to face some of the world’s most renowned basketball squads in what is celebrated as one of the toughest leagues globally, starting in the EuroLeague
“Dubai Basketball is not an instant project; it has taken us years to reach this point,” said Dejan Kamenjasevic, the co-founder and co-CEO of the club. He expressed immense pride in the team’s accomplishments, highlighting the tireless efforts of coaches, players, and staff in transforming dreams into reality as they advance toward competing in the EuroLeague.
The inaugural season witnessed Dubai Basketball attracting nearly 80,000 fans to the Coca-Cola Arena, signaling a promising new chapter for basketball in the region. The team is set to engage in 38 regular-season games, with all home fixtures taking place at the Coca-Cola Arena, accommodating 15,000 fans in a basketball configuration.
His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the President of the UAE Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, remarked, “Dubai is confidently establishing itself as a global force in sport.” He assured that the Dubai Sports Council would continue to back local clubs in reaching new heights and offer new opportunities for local talents to compete on significant international platforms.
The participation of Dubai Basketball in the EuroLeague follows a strategic decision by the competition to expand its roster to 20 teams, aiming to increase game frequency, ignite rivalries, and pull in new audiences globally.
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