Organizers are taking measures to prevent conflicts among Greek fans and between Greece and Turkey. Abu Dhabi is quickly becoming a global basketball hub.

The Expensive Seats at Etihad Arena

Since the start of the century, the Middle East, especially the Arabian Peninsula, has transformed the global sports scene through massive investments in local and international events—World Cup in Qatar, Saudi Pro League stars, F1 races in UAE, and annual tournaments across tennis, golf, esports, plus major European club investments like Manchester City and PSG.

While football remains in the spotlight, basketball is now firmly in the investment fold, centered on Abu Dhabi. The city has hosted NBA exhibition games, USA team friendlies, and is preparing to host the Euroleague Final Four (May 23-25)—the first outside Europe. This decision drew criticism, but Arab financial power clearly drives global sports, opening new doors.

From a Tweet: Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak’s Childhood Passion

As a boy, Khalifa loved comics—Superman, Batman, and American superheroes. In 2016, shortly after becoming Abu Dhabi’s Minister of Culture and Sports, he said, “I love creating something so imaginative.” As he grew older, his passions shifted to basketball and the NBA, influenced by studying at Tufts University and supporting the Lakers, not the Celtics.

In 2019, when NBA-China relations soured after a Houston Rockets GM tweet supporting Hong Kong protests, Al Mubarak seized the opportunity. NBA sponsors left, TV broadcasts halted, and the league suffered significant financial losses. Abu Dhabi, with its wealth—home to three of the world’s largest sovereign funds—became a basketball destination.

Etihad Arena

The Experience Abu Dhabi, the marketing arm of the Culture and Tourism Ministry, has signed multi-year sponsorships with the Boston Celtics and is reportedly negotiating to sponsor the New York Knicks. While Abu Dhabi can’t replicate China’s talent pool, it can attract Euroleague events, and it’s now in talks with the second-biggest basketball league globally.

Four years later, Abu Dhabi is poised to host the Euroleague Final Four (2025-26), after its debut in the Adriatic League this year. As the NBA expands into Europe, many see Abu Dhabi as a potential “Trojan Horse,” a trend likely to grow.

The Arena and the City

The Etihad Arena, inaugurated in 2021 on Yas Island near Abu Dhabi, has won numerous awards for its design, making it one of the most modern stadiums worldwide. But hosting the Euroleague Final Four will be a real test. Fan behavior—especially Greek and Turkish supporters—must be managed carefully, considering the country’s conservative laws despite its liberal atmosphere.

Past incidents in Berlin, such as fans’ hostile actions, highlight the need for discipline. No foul language, political or religious slogans, and strict dress codes will be enforced. Alcohol is only allowed in licensed venues, and public drinking or celebrating in public is prohibited. Fans should also show restraint in chants and avoid loud disruptions.

Tickets and Prices

On February 25, 2025, Euroleague launched online ticket sales for the Final Four. Initially, tickets were available only to season ticket holders, EuroLeague TV subscribers, and previous buyers. The next day, general sales began but crashed due to overwhelming demand. Within hours, all 4,000+ tickets—about one-third of the arena’s capacity—sold out. An additional 2,400 tickets went to the four finalists, with initial plans for 1,800, but reactions led to some adjustments.

For last-minute buyers, tickets on resale platforms like Viagogo and Ticombo are now extremely expensive—starting around €1,700 and soaring up to €15,216 for the most premium seat. The official prices ranged from €74.75 per game (€299 for all four) to €187.25 per game (€749 for the full package). Resale restrictions prohibit ticket resale, but the black market clearly thrives.

Travel and Accommodation

While Abu Dhabi is a major international hub—handling 120 million passengers annually—direct flights are costly, with the cheapest around €2,310 (few seats left). Flights with stopovers can be significantly cheaper, around €500. The Olympiacos BC team announced chartered flights for fans, and similar arrangements are likely for Panathinaikos.

Accommodation options vary widely, generally more affordable than tickets. Still, travel logistics remain a challenge for fans.

A Competitive Final Four

Despite organizational hurdles, this year’s Final Four promises intense competition. It closely resembles last year’s, with Monaco replacing Madrid and a strong Greek presence—Panathinaikos and Olympiacos. The Greek teams can only meet in the final, a first in the tournament’s history.

Panathinaikos, defending champion, aims to retain its title in Abu Dhabi after last year’s victory in Berlin, having survived a tense playoff series against Anadolu Efes. Olympiacos, seeking its first title since 2013, hopes to avenge last year’s loss to Real Madrid, which they eliminated in the playoffs. With Vassilis Spanoulis back on the bench and key players like Nick Calathes (injured) and Giorgos Papagiannis (crucial in Game 5 against Barcelona), the Reds are motivated.

Their semifinal opponent is likely to be Fenerbahçe, led by Sarunas Jasikevicius, eager for revenge after last year. The Turkish team has improved and aims to break their Final Four curse, as Jasikevicius seeks his first title with a different club.

Olympiacos dreams of returning to European dominance, aiming to beat Monaco in the semifinals—just like 2023—with Vassilis Spanoulis playing a key role. His presence makes this matchup especially meaningful for both him and the Reds.