Elite European basketball is set to open its new season in the United Arab Emirates as the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Euroleague Basketball launch the inaugural Euroleague Basketball SuperCup at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.
Scheduled for 18 and 19 September 2026, the two-day tournament will introduce a new flagship fixture to the international basketball calendar. The four-team showcase features reigning EuroLeague champions Olympiacos Piraeus, 2025 winners Fenerbahce Tarfin Istanbul, European powerhouse Real Madrid, and domestic franchise Dubai Basketball.
For UAE sports enthusiasts, particularly basketball fans across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the event provides a direct opportunity to watch world-class European talent on local soil. The inclusion of Dubai Basketball gives local supporters a home team to rally behind as they face nine-time EuroLeague champions Real Madrid.
The tournament follows a traditional Final Four setup, featuring two fixtures per evening at 6pm and 9pm. Action begins on Friday, 18 September, with Olympiacos Piraeus taking on Fenerbahce Tarfin Istanbul in the opening clash, followed by Dubai Basketball's encounter with Real Madrid. The competition wraps up on Saturday, 19 September, with a third-place play-off preceding the first Euroleague Basketball SuperCup final.
The agreement, brokered in partnership with IMG, builds on the 2025 EuroLeague Final Four previously held in the capital. According to DCT Abu Dhabi, hosting the tournament aligns with broader plans to expand the emirate's international sports calendar, drive tourism, and boost engagement with local sports communities across the Emirates.
Euroleague Basketball officials confirmed that launching the SuperCup forms part of an ongoing effort to expand the sport's global reach while offering fans a high-stakes kickoff to the competitive season.