Dubai Basketball Club Set For EuroLeague Debut In 2025-26 Season Under Sheikh Mansoor's Leadership

Dubai Basketball Club has been chosen to participate in the EuroLeague starting from the 2025-26 season. This announcement was made by H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is the President of the UAE Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council. The EuroLeague is recognised as one of the premier professional basketball leagues globally.

"Dubai is confidently establishing itself as a global force in sport," said H.H. Sheikh Mansoor. "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 EuroLeague's decision to expand its roster to 20 teams aligns with its strategy to enhance competition and draw a wider audience. Dubai Basketball Club will play 38 regular-season games at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. This expansion aims to increase fixtures, intensify rivalries, and attract new global audiences.

Established in 2023, Dubai Basketball Club has quickly shown it can compete with top-tier teams both domestically and internationally. "In just two years, the club has demonstrated that it can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the sport’s elite," His Highness added. "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 boasts a diverse lineup featuring players from various countries including the UAE, Philippines, USA, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Jordan, Türkiye, Latvia, Italy, Bosnia, and France. These players are guided by coaches holding FIBA licenses. Such diversity enriches team dynamics and brings varied playing styles.

Earlier this year, during the 2024-25 season, Dubai Basketball Club made its mark by reaching the semi-finals in the Adriatic Basketball Association (ABA) League. Competing against 16 teams from six countries—Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, and UAE—highlighted its readiness for high-level continental contests.

Facing Global Giants

In joining EuroLeague ranks, Dubai Basketball Club will face renowned teams like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. Olympiacos and Fenerbahçe are also among these formidable opponents. The league enjoys a vast viewership with over 300 million people tuning in worldwide each year.

This participation underscores Dubai's growing influence in sports on an international level. It reflects a commitment to nurturing local talent while engaging with global sporting communities.

With inputs from WAM