The EuroLeague continues to deepen its operations in the Middle East - but not in Israel. While Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Tel Aviv remain unable to host games at home, the league’s management has officially announced that Abu Dhabi will host the Final Four in both 2027 and 2029. The move comes as part of an expanded partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism of the UAE capital, following the success of hosting the event for the first time in Abu Dhabi in May 2025.
The 2027 Final Four is scheduled to take place at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, which seats approximately 12,000 spectators. The semifinal matchups will be played on Friday, May 28, with the championship game following on Sunday, May 30. The EuroLeague Next Generation Tournament final will also take place on the same day.
Long-term agreement in The Gulf
EuroLeague President Dejan Bodiroga welcomed the agreement: "It is an immense pleasure to announce that the Final Four will return to Abu Dhabi. I would like to thank Abu Dhabi for their continued support and trust. Together, we produced one of the best Final Four events in our 26-year history, proving the immense global appeal of the EuroLeague. This is another milestone that demonstrates our shared commitment to basketball development and creating unforgettable experiences for fans."
EuroLeague CEO Chus Bueno also emphasized the strategic importance of the deal: "Renewing our commitment to Abu Dhabi for 2027 and 2029 is another significant step in our international growth strategy. The model combining traditional European basketball markets with global cities boasting world-class facilities, tourism appeal, and passionate sports communities continues to prove itself."
Commercial success and brand expansion
In its official announcement, the EuroLeague highlighted that the 2025 Final Four was a major commercial triumph, with tickets selling out within hours. Fenerbahce claimed the title in front of a packed house of 12,000 fans, while viewership and engagement figures across the league’s digital platforms reached record highs.
The new agreement forms part of a multi-year partnership between the EuroLeague and Abu Dhabi, brokered by IMG. As part of the collaboration, the destination brand Experience Abu Dhabi will remain a principal partner of the league, featuring prominently in arena advertising, television broadcasts, and on team jerseys.
Broadening the middle east footprint
The announcement comes amid broader EuroLeague expansion across the Persian Gulf region. Dubai joined the league for the 2025/26 season, and according to EuroLeague data, game broadcasts across the Middle East and North Africa reached a cumulative audience of 19.57 million viewers via Dubai TV. Furthermore, Abu Dhabi hosted the inaugural EuroLeague Super Cup tournament last September.