Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Euroleague Basketball launch inaugural Euroleague Basketball SuperCup

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Euroleague Basketball have launched the Euroleague Basketball SuperCup, a new competition that will officially open the European club basketball season. The first edition will take place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on 18 and 19 September 2026.

The launch of the SuperCup adds to Euroleague Basketball’s competition portfolio, creating a premium annual event that showcases elite European club basketball while further expanding the league’s global footprint. Hosting the first edition in Abu Dhabi underscores the emirate’s growing stature as an international sports destination and its commitment to staging world-class events.

The first edition will bring together four elite clubs: reigning EuroLeague champion Olympiacos Piraeus, 2025 EuroLeague champion Fenerbahce Tarfin Istanbul, 2026 finalist Real Madrid, and Dubai Basketball, representing the UAE, for a two-day showcase that will officially open the European club basketball season.

The competition will follow a Final Four format, with two games each day at 6pm and 9pm GST. On Friday 18 September, Olympiacos Piraeus will face Fenerbahce Tarfin Istanbul, while Dubai Basketball will take on Real Madrid. The tournament will conclude on Saturday 19 September, with the third-place game followed by the first ever Euroleague Basketball SuperCup Final.

His Excellency Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: “The first edition of the Euroleague Basketball SuperCup is another milestone in Abu Dhabi’s long-term partnership with Euroleague Basketball and reflects our shared ambition to grow the game while creating world-class experiences for fans. Bringing four elite clubs to Abu Dhabi to open the new season further strengthens the emirate’s position as a global destination for elite sporting events, while generating lasting value for our visitor economy, local businesses and communities. As we continue to expand our international sporting calendar, events such as the SuperCup play an important role in inspiring the next generation of players and bringing global audiences to Abu Dhabi.”

Building on the success of the 2025 EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi, the new SuperCup represents the next chapter in the long-term partnership between Euroleague Basketball and DCT Abu Dhabi. Brokered by Euroleague Basketball’s strategic partner IMG, the agreement supports the league’s international growth strategy while further strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading destination for world-class sporting events.

Dejan Bodiroga, President of Euroleague Basketball, said: “The launch of the Euroleague Basketball SuperCup marks an exciting new chapter for European club basketball. We are delighted to partner with DCT Abu Dhabi for the inaugural edition of this competition, which will bring together some of the most successful clubs to celebrate the start of a new season. Abu Dhabi has demonstrated a strong commitment to basketball and to delivering exceptional international sporting events, making it the ideal stage for this new competition.”

Chus Bueno, CEO of Euroleague Basketball, said: “The Euroleague Basketball SuperCup reflects our ambition to continue innovating and expanding the reach of European club basketball. Launching this new competition in Abu Dhabi enables us to engage new audiences while providing fans, clubs and partners with a premium event that showcases the very best of our sport. We look forward to establishing the SuperCup as a flagship fixture on the international basketball calendar.”