Massimo Zanetti, the majority shareholder of Virtus Segafredo Bologna, made a significant announcement at a press conference on Wednesday. According to him, the Dubai basketball team will join the EuroLeague starting from the 2025–2026 season.

“The EuroLeague remains one of the key competitions in the world of basketball, and interest in it continues to grow,” emphasized Zanetti. “Next season, we’re expecting an expansion: a team from Dubai will join the league, adding intrigue and diversity.”

Currently, the Dubai team is playing its debut season in the ABA League (Adriatic Basketball Association), where it has been showing impressive results. With a win-loss record of 20-5, the team holds third place in the standings. The roster includes well-known players such as Latvian forward Davis Bertans, Slovenian Klemen Prepelič, Italian Danilo Anđušić, and others. Recently, the club extended the contract of its head coach Jurica Golemac, confirming the serious ambitions of the team.

It is worth noting that the EuroLeague Final Four will take place in Abu Dhabi in 2025. This demonstrates clear interest from UAE authorities in promoting international sports within their region.

Photo: Maxim Konankov