This is the first time that official Euroleague matches will be played outside Europe. The contract linking the Euroleague, the sports marketing agency IMG and the emirate of Abu Dhabi for the organization of the event must still be signed, the same source said.
Abu Dhabi was preferred to Belgrade, the other finalist candidate. The decision only concerns the Final Four of the current season. The semi-finals are scheduled for May 23, with the final and third place match on the 25th.
These four matches should be played at the Etihad Arena, which has already hosted several NBA pre-season matches and two preparation matches for the American selection before the Paris Olympics last summer.
The Euroleague has been planning an expansion towards the United Arab Emirates for around two years, whose investment in major sporting events (Formula 1, MMA in addition to Basketball) has been growing in recent years.
In order to continue its growth towards new markets, it is even considering the upcoming integration of a franchise based in the United Arab Emirates, which could initially join the Eurocup (C2), the antechamber of the Euroleague .
“Abu Dhabi represents a first step into a new region, but it remains to be seen whether this can lead to other activities in the Middle East. This first experience will be the occasion for numerous feedbacks which will be useful for future discussions,” the source close to the matter told AFP.
Par Le360 (with AFP)
03/12/2024 at 4:40 p.m.
