Euroleague Basketball and Visa, a global leader in digital payments, celebrated their landmark multi-year partnership, first announced on November 19, with a special presentation event held on Tuesday in Athens, Greece. The agreement makes VISA the official payment partner of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the BKT EuroCup, the two premier men’s basketball competitions in Europe, and solidifies a collaboration aimed at enhancing fan experiences and delivering exclusive benefits to basketball enthusiasts over the next three years.

Euroleague Basketball and Visa Celebrate Multi-Year Partnership with Special Event in Athens

Euroleague Basketball and Visa, a global leader in digital payments, celebrated [their landmark multi-year partnership](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/news/visa-and-euroleague-basketball-announce-multi-year-partnership/), first announced on November 19, with a special presentation event held on Tuesday in Athens, Greece. The agreement makes VISA the official payment partner of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the BKT EuroCup, the two premier men’s basketball competitions in Europe, and solidifies a collaboration aimed at enhancing fan experiences and delivering exclusive benefits to basketball enthusiasts over the next three years.

The event, hosted by Greek actor George Lentzas, featured a distinguished lineup of speakers, including [David Rivers](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/david-rivers/ahc/), former [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/) player and Euroleague Basketball Ambassador; [Fragiskos Alvertis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/fragiskos-alvertis/aph/), former [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) player; [Guy Martin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-martin-838a7a14/), Head of Sponsorships at Visa Europe; [Sevi Vassileva](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sevdalinavassileva/), General Manager of Visa for Greece, Malta, Cyprus, and Israel; and [Gawain Davies](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gawain-davies-8925447/), Chief Commercial Officer of Euroleague Basketball. Together, they shared insights into the partnership and its plans for the future.

"I think it’s appropriate we are here today launching this partnership in Athens, the home of the current EuroLeague champions," said Gawain Davies. "I’m especially delighted to be here today launching this groundbreaking partnership for the Euroleague. We look forward to working with you over the next three years. Visa is a fantastic company. In fact, it’s our first-ever payment partner at the Euroleague. In our 25-year history, we’ve never had a partner in this category, and we couldn’t be starting with a better partner. We’re very excited to really work and deliver great value to all the Visa team and customers over the next three years."

"I’m really, really proud to be joining the Euroleague family, and for Euroleague to be joining the Visa family," commented Guy Martin. "We have a very proud history of sponsorships across 35 years. We are really pleased to have Euroleague join the family and we know much it means to this market. We do this for a number of reasons: we do this because we love working with our clients and we understand the power of sponsorships. We also understand the power of what we need to do with our fans and customers. The Euroleague ticks all of those boxes. We’re really proud of working with our partner, the Euroleague, not just on the Euroleague itself but also on the legacy that we can leave with this sponsorship property. We look forward to getting started."

Attendees were also briefed on a variety of upcoming activations. Visa cardholders will enjoy exclusive benefits, such as priority access to pre-sale tickets for the Final Four and opportunities to participate in contests to win premium Final Four packages, among other incentives.

Sevi Vassileva, General Manager of Visa for Greece, Malta, Cyprus and Israel, said that basketball holds a special place in the hearts of Greeks and manages, in a unique way, to move and unite them, adding that sport is an extremely important component of European culture, while basketball athletes are a source of inspiration. "From women's football to the Olympic Games and Formula 1 and now the premier basketball tournaments, Visa connects fans worldwide and makes payments more seamless and secure. These partnerships are for us more than just a branding opportunity – they are an ideal field to promote something deeper and more meaningful: the value of sport."

This partnership reinforces Visa’s commitment to fostering connections through sports and aligns with Euroleague Basketball’s dedication to bringing fans closer to its growing global audience.

Euroleague Basketball has announced the following disciplinary decisions pertaining to incidents that occurred in Rounds 12 of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season and Round 9 of the 2024-25 EuroCup season.

Latest disciplinary sanctions

 **EuroLeague, Round 12**

- Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade has been sanctioned with fines amounting to €50,000 for failure to adopt the necessary preventive measures to avoid disturbances during a game, and the incidents caused by its fans, on occasion of its home game against Olympiacos Piraeus under 29.1.h), 29.2.f) and 29.2.g) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code.
- Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens have been sanctioned with a fine amounting of €8,000 for the offensive chants committed by its fans on occasion of its home game against AS Monaco under 29.2.f) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code.

**EuroCup, Round 9**

- Erdem Can, head coach of Turk Telekom Ankara, has been sanctioned with a fine amounting of €6,000 for the failure to comply with the instructions of the officiating crew on occasion of its home game against Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem under 27.2.c) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code.

Euroleague Basketball has announced the following disciplinary decisions pertaining to incidents that occurred in Round 12 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season and Round 9 of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season.

Latest disciplinary decisions

Euroleague Basketball has announced the following disciplinary decisions pertaining to incidents that occurred in Rounds 9 and 10 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

**Round 9**

- Kendrick Nunn, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens player, has been sanctioned with a fine of €5,000 for comments regarding the officiating performance, in accordance with Article 24.2.c) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code.

 **Round 10**

- Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade have been sanctioned with a fine amounting of €5,000 for the offensive chants committed by its fans on occasion home game against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan under 29.2.f) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code.

The Adidas NextGen EuroLeague’s 2024-25 season tips off earlier than ever before, with the first stop taking the continent’s top young talents to Istanbul. Check out this preview ahead of the NextGen Istanbul tournament.

NextGen EuroLeague qualifying begins this weekend in Istanbul

The Adidas NextGen EuroLeague’s 2024-25 season tips off earlier than ever before, with the first stop taking the continent’s top young talents to Istanbul.

The eight-team field is highlighted by 2022 champion [U18 Mega MIS Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-mega-mis-belgrade/roster/jmv/), 2012 finalist [U18 Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/roster/jul/) and first-timer – and host club – [U18 Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-bahcesehir-college-istanbul/roster/jbc/).

Across three days, between November 29 and December 1, the action will take at the newly renovated Basketball Development Center, where Abdi Ipekci Sports Hall used to stand.

The other five teams participating are [U18 Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-anadolu-efes-istanbul/roster/jef/), [U18 Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-gran-canaria/roster/jgc/), [U18 Panathinaikos Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-panathinaikos-athens/roster/upa/), [U18 Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ngt/teams/u18-umana-reyer-venice/roster/jur/) and the [U18 NextGen Team Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-next-gen-team-istanbul/roster/ngi/).

This is the earliest the competition has ever started, with the former NextGen Rome tournaments being played between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

The NextGen Istanbul is the first of four qualifying tournaments for the NextGen Finals, which will be held alongside the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four. The other qualifiers are: the NextGen Munich on January 17-19; the NextGen Ulm on the weekend of February 7-9; and the NextGen Belgrade on March 7-9.

The eight teams are broken down into two groups of four, where they will play each of the sides in their groups. The top team in the groups will face off in the first place game to determine which club gets a direct ticket to the NextGen Finals.

Group A is made up of Bahcesehir, Mega, Panathinaikos and Reyer while Efes, Fenerbahce, Gran Canaria and NGT will be playing in Group B.

Group A will see history as made as Bahcesehir will play its first-ever game in the NextGen competition. And that contest will be against 2022 continental champion Mega, which is playing in the NextGen for the 14th straight season since debuting in 2011-12.

Mega, which also reached NextGen Championship Games in 2017 and 2019, has won its qualifying tournament four times (2016 Rome, 2019 Belgrade, 2021 Valencia, 2023 Belgrade) and played at the NextGen Finals the last eight editions. Mega slumped to fifth place at the NextGen Belgrade last season with a 2-2 record.

Panathinaikos is appearing in the NextGen for the seventh time and the fourth straight season. The Greek side finished sixth at 2024 Paris with a 1-3 record, after having placed a club-best fifth at 2023 Munich with two victories.

Italian club Reyer is playing for a third straight year and eighth in total. Last season the team finished with a 2-2 record in fifth place – the club’s best-ever placing in the competition.

Group B has the other two Istanbul clubs. This is appearance number six for Efes, which did not play last season. Efes registered fourth place finishes in qualifiers in 2018 and 2021.

Fenerbahce lost to U18 Rytas Vilnius in the 2012 NextGen Championship Game and is making its 13th showing – but first since 2020-21, which ended an 11-year run of appearances. Fenerbahce’s best result since 2017 is sixth place.

Gran Canaria is on board for a ninth time and would love to match its best-ever result from 2019-20, when the Spanish side won the NextGen Valencia. Gran Canaria was unable to fight for the crown, though, as the NextGen Finals were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team finished third at 2024 Paris with a 3-1 record.

The fourth team is NGT Istanbul, with this being the fourth season with the selection side participating. Former Efes captain [Dogus Balbay is the NGT's coach](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/news/adidas-next-gen-team-announces-new-coach-ahead-of-nextgen-euroleague-qualifiers/) this season.

The Turkish metropolis will see eight teams compete in the first of four qualifying events

Euroleague Basketball and Visa, a world leader in digital payments, have announced a landmark multi-year partnership where Visa will become the official payment partner of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the BKT EuroCup, the two premier men’s basketball competitions in Europe, until the end of the 2026-2027 season.

Visa and Euroleague Basketball Announce Multi-Year Partnership

Euroleague Basketball and Visa, a world leader in digital payments, have announced a landmark multi-year partnership where Visa will become the official payment partner of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the BKT EuroCup, the two premier men’s basketball competitions in Europe, until the end of the 2026-2027 season.

This strategic partnership will bring exciting opportunities for Visa cardholders, including dedicated promotional offers and discounts and hospitality packages for the Final Four in May 2025. It also offers high-impact branding opportunities with Visa’s logo being displayed across EuroLeague and EuroCup games, both in-arena and during broadcasts, as well as on the competitions' digital platforms and content.

Four out of five in-store payments across Europe are now contactless, reflecting consumer preferences for a frictionless, efficient, and secure transaction process. Visa will collaborate with Euroleague to continue growing contactless payment technology across arenas, aiming to elevate the game-day experience for fans across Europe.

**Gawain Davies, Euroleague Basketball Chief Commercial Officer, says**: “We are excited to partner with Visa. This is a groundbreaking partnership for Euroleague Basketball and an excellent opportunity for Visa to connect with the basketball community. Visa’s commitment to removing barriers and connecting people within the digital payment ecosystem aligns perfectly with Euroleague Basketball's mission to deliver unforgettable moments to our growing, passionate, and global audience.”

**Kim Kadlec, Chief Marketing Officer, Visa Europe, says**: “We are excited to partner with Euroleague Basketball. Sport is a highly important component of European culture, and we are proud to sponsor some of the region’s most exciting competitions and tournaments. Key sporting events – such as Euroleague Basketball – are a great way for us to connect fans across the world with their passions, driving meaningful connections and exceptional experiences.”

For over 35 years, Visa has been a leader in the sponsorship industry, proudly supporting some of the world's most prominent sports and entertainment properties. Additionally, Visa champions artists, entertainers, and creators across music, gaming, and more.

Euroleague Basketball has announced the following disciplinary sanctions pertaining to incidents that occurred in Round 8 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Round 8 disciplinary sanctions

- Panthinaikos AKTOR Athens has been sanctioned with a fine amounting to €7,500 for the offensive chants committed by its fans on occasion home game against Olympiacos Piraeus under 29.2.f) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code.

Euroleague Basketball and Uludag Beverage, a brand known for its heritage and premium-quality beverages, have officially renewed their partnership for an additional three years, extending their successful collaboration through the end of the 2026-27 season. Uludag Beverage, which has been an Official Partner of Euroleague Basketball since 2019, will continue to support the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the BKT EuroCup, enhancing its role in the global spotlight. The renewal was unveiled at a special press conference on Monday in Istanbul, featuring Gawain Davies, Euroleague Basketball Chief Commercial Officer, Omer Kizil, Uludag Beverage Vice Chairman and Mete Oz, Uludag Beverage CEO.

Euroleague Basketball and Uludag Beverage Renew Partnership for Three More Seasons

Euroleague Basketball and Uludag Beverage, a brand known for its heritage and premium-quality beverages, have officially renewed their partnership for an additional three years, extending their successful collaboration through the end of the 2026-27 season. Uludag Beverage, which has been an Official Partner of Euroleague Basketball since 2019, will continue to support the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the BKT EuroCup, enhancing its role in the global spotlight. The renewal was unveiled at a special press conference on Monday in Istanbul, featuring Gawain Davies, Euroleague Basketball Chief Commercial Officer, Omer Kizil, Uludag Beverage Vice Chairman and Mete Oz, Uludag Beverage CEO.

 

Building on their successful partnership, Uludag Beverage and Euroleague Basketball are elevating their collaboration from a regional partnership to a Global Sponsorship Agreement offering branding opportunities, being displayed across EuroLeague and EuroCup games, both in-arena and during broadcasts, as well as on the competitions' digital platforms and content.

 

This expanded relationship aligns seamlessly with Euroleague Basketball’s commercial strategy, which focuses on strengthening partnerships with top-tier brands that share Euroleague Basketball’s pan-European identity and global reach.  It also offers high-impact branding opportunities, across EuroLeague and EuroCup games, both in-arena and during broadcasts, as well as on the competitions' digital platforms and content.

 

“We are very pleased to renew our partnership with such a distinguished brand as Uludag Beverage, which demonstrates once again the trust and dedication of our partners,” said Gawain Davies, Chief Commercial Officer of Euroleague Basketball. “The Euroleague’s global audience is an ideal match for the international reach Uludag Beverage has achieved. This partnership brings a mutual benefit that will help both organizations reach new heights.”

 

With over 110 years of expertise, Uludag Beverage has a strong international footprint, distributing its products in more than 30 countries across five continents, with key markets in Euroleague territories including Turkey, Germany, Serbia, Greece, and France. Euroleague Basketball, which represents 14 teams from these nations, has seen a 131% year-on-year increase in TV viewership across these countries, underscoring the synergy between the brand and the league.

 

"As Uludağ İçecek Türk A.Ş., we are proud to announce a new three-year global partnership. With this Euroleague Basketball agreement, our brands Uludağ Gazoz and Frutti Extra will now be showcased in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the BKT EuroCup reaching and international audience. Euroleague Basketball, Europe’s premier basketball organization, is thrilled to partner with both of our brands. We place a high value on long-term sponsorships, and since 2019, we’ve transitioned our regional sponsorship into a global one for another three years, reaffirming our commitment to our strategic vision," stated Ömer Kızıl, Vice Chairman of the Board of Uludağ Beverage.

 

Uludag’s Beverage commitment to excellence and innovation aligns perfectly with the values of Euroleague Basketball. With a focus on delivering excitement and unforgettable moments to sports fans worldwide, Uludag Beverage is a natural fit within the Euroleague Basketball ecosystem.

 

The renewal of this partnership symbolizes a commitment to shared growth and success, as both organizations work together to create lasting global impact over the next three seasons.

The Agreement Extends Through the 2026-27 Season

Euroleague Basketball has announced the following disciplinary sanctions pertaining to incidents that occurred in Rounds 6 and 7 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

**Round 4**

- Joan Penarroya, head coach of FC Barcelona, has been sanctioned with a fine of €5,000 for comments regarding the officiating performance, in accordance with Article 24.2.c) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code.

**Round 6**

- Nikola Kalinic, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade player, has been sanctioned with a fine of €5,000 for comments regarding the officiating performance, in accordance with Article 24.2.c) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code.
- Nemanja Nedovic, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade player, has been sanctioned with a fine of €5,000 for comments regarding the officiating performance, in accordance with Article 24.2.c) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code.
- Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade has been sanctioned with fine of €10.000 for comments regarding the officiating performance published on the club official website, in accordance with Article 24.2.c) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code.
- Zeljko Drcelic, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade Chairman of the Board, has been sanctioned with a fine of €10,000 for comments regarding the officiating performance, in accordance with Article 24.2.c) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code.
- Luka Mitrovic and Nemanja Nedovic of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade have been sanctioned with fines of €7,000 and €5,000 respectively for actions that represent a lack of respect towards the referees during their road game against Zalgiris Kaunas under 27.2.b) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code.
- The protest submitted by Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade on the occasion of the game against Zalgiris Kaunas has been dismissed.

**Round 7**

- Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade has been sanctioned with fines amounting to €32,500 for the behavior of its fans, which includes offensive chants and the throwing of objects onto the playing court, on the occasion of its home game against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens under 29.2.f and h) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code.
- Olympiacos Piraeus has been sanctioned with a fine amounting to €5,000 for the offensive chants committed by its fans on the occasion of its home game against FC Barcelona under 29.2.f) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code.

Euroleague Basketball has announced the following disciplinary decisions pertaining to incidents that occurred in Rounds 4, 6 and 7 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Euroleague Basketball is thrilled to announce the renewal of its partnership with Armani for the 2024-25 season, marking the eighth consecutive year of collaboration. As an Official Global Partner of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague and the BKT EuroCup, Armani continues to solidify its presence at the intersection of high-end fashion and sports.

Armani, Euroleague Basketball extend successful partnership for eighth year

Euroleague Basketball is thrilled to announce the renewal of its partnership with Armani for the 2024-25 season, marking the eighth consecutive year of collaboration. As an Official Global Partner of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague and the BKT EuroCup, Armani continues to solidify its presence at the intersection of high-end fashion and sports.

Since joining forces in the 2017-18 season, Armani has embraced its role in the Euroleague Basketball community, aligning its brand with the premier basketball competition in Europe. This renewed partnership will enhance Armani's visibility in key markets renowned for both fashion and sports, creating unique experiences for fans and stakeholders alike.

“We are delighted to extend our partnership with Armani for another season,” said Gawain Davies, Euroleague Basketball Chief Commercial Officer. "This collaboration not only enhances the visibility of Euroleague Basketball, but also reinforces the connection between fashion and sports. Together, we are committed to delivering exceptional experiences for our fans and celebrating the rich heritage of both brands.”

This partnership comes on top of Armani's deep connection to the historic club and reigning Italian League champion EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, which is also a regular in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. That sponsorship further intertwines Armani's legacy with the values of excellence, passion, and teamwork that both the brand and club represent.