ABA League finals set to be played in Dubai
The 2025-26 ABA League Finals will officially begin in Dubai after league organizers, Dubai Basketball and Partizan Belgrade reached an agreement to stage the opening games of the championship series in the UAE.
The first two games of the finals are scheduled to take place at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on June 4 and June 6, marking the long-awaited return of Dubai Basketball to its home venue after several months of playing home fixtures outside the UAE.
The decision follows discussions between league officials and both finalist clubs, with the UAE providing security guarantees that were accepted by Partizan and the ABA League.
For Dubai Basketball, the finals represent a historic milestone. The club, founded only a few years ago, has reached the ABA League Finals in just its second season in the competition, becoming the first UAE-based team to achieve the feat.
The team secured its place in the title series after a dominant semifinal victory over Budućnost VOLI, while Partizan advanced from the other side of the playoff bracket.
Club officials described the return to Dubai as a significant moment for the organization and its supporters, who will now have the opportunity to watch the biggest matches in the club’s history on home soil.
The finals are also seen as another step in Dubai’s growing presence on the international basketball stage, following the city’s recent expansion into major European competitions and its efforts to establish itself as a regional hub for elite sport.