Euroleague Basketball successfully hosted its 26th Pre-Season Clinic for Officials at The Met Hotel in Thessaloniki, gathering referees, coaches, and league representatives for four days of high-level training and preparation

Euroleague Basketball officials get together for pre-season clinic in Thessaloniki

Euroleague Basketball successfully hosted its 26th Pre-Season Clinic for Officials at The Met Hotel in Thessaloniki, gathering referees, coaches, and league representatives for four days of high-level training and preparation.

This year’s clinic brought together 70 referees, including 5 newcomers — Arnau Padrós (Spain), Ioannis Tiganis (Greece), Can Mavisu (Turkey), Kerem Baki (Turkey), and Franko Gracin (Croatia) — alongside 15 referee coaches. Among them was Carmelo Paternico (Italy), who finished his career as a Euroleague Basketball referee last season and joined the EB Referee Coaches list for 2025–26.

Euroleague Basketball successfully hosted its 26th Pre-Season Clinic for Officials at The Met Hotel in Thessaloniki, gathering referees, coaches, and league representatives for four days of high-level training and preparation.

Euroleague Basketball officials' pre-season clinic in Thessaloniki

The event was attended by prominent figures including Euroleague Basketball President Dejan Bodiroga, former Senior Director and Officiating Scouting & Recruitment Supervisor Costas Rigas, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan head coach Ettore Messina, EuroLeague Head Coaches Board President Dimitris Itoudis, Executive Director Goran Sasic, EuroLeague Players’ Association Operations Manager Anze Blazic, Officiating Sports Psychologist Mar Rovira, Officiating Physical Conditioning & Training Coach Gianluca Mazzoncini, and Sportradar Head of Integrity Education Andrew Whittingham.

Under the leadership of Daniel Hierrezuelo, in his third clinic as Director of Officiating, participants reviewed the latest rule interpretations, IRS protocols, and officiating mechanics, complemented by fitness testing, integrity sessions, video analysis, and teamwork workshops. Breakout sessions focused on topics including travelling, illegal contact, screens, faking, and teamwork psychology.

The clinic closed on Sunday with a presentation by Costas Rigas and final remarks from Hierrezuelo, followed by optional IRS practice sessions.

The clinic once again reaffirmed Euroleague Basketball’s commitment to developing officiating standards and ensuring referees are fully prepared for the new season.

Euroleague Basketball is proud to announce the appointment of Marta Alvarez Escude as its new Chief Digital Officer (CDO). Marta will lead the organization’s digital strategy, with a focus on fan engagement, data-driven innovation and the evolution of Euroleague Basketball’s digital platforms worldwide.

Euroleague Basketball Appoints Former Amazon Executive as Chief Digital Officer

Euroleague Basketball is proud to announce the appointment of Marta Alvarez Escude as its new Chief Digital Officer (CDO). Marta will lead the organization’s digital strategy, with a focus on fan engagement, data-driven innovation and the evolution of Euroleague Basketball’s digital platforms worldwide.

Beyond the digital sphere, Marta will play a key role in strengthening the business side of the league, leveraging technology and data to unlock new revenue opportunities, enhance commercial initiatives, and deliver added value for partners and stakeholders.

Marta brings over 15 years of expertise at the crossroads of technology, e-commerce, and digital transformation. At Amazon, she helped design and scale customer-focused digital initiatives, gaining deep knowledge of global online platforms. At Stuart, she led the Iberian operations of Europe’s leading last-mile logistics platform, a pivotal sector amid the rapid growth of e-commerce. At Affinity Petcare, she drove transformation projects that enhanced brand engagement and unlocked new digital channels to connect with consumers across international markets. Most recently, as Director for Southern Europe at Nextdoor, she expanded market presence and nurtured vibrant local communities, further honing her ability to scale digital ecosystems with impact.  

“Marta’s blend of corporate experience and entrepreneurial leadership makes her the ideal person to accelerate our digital journey." stated Paulius Motiejunas, Euroleague Basketball CEO. "She has a proven record of building innovative platforms that put the user at the center, and we are excited to see her bring that vision to millions of basketball fans worldwide.”

Alongside her corporate achievements, Marta has been an active leader in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. As H2 Chapter Director in Barcelona, she has built bridges between global tech leaders and local innovators, mentoring founders and advancing conversations around growth, digital disruption, and the future of technology. Marta holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a Master’s degree in Engineering from the Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya.

“Basketball has a unique power to connect communities, and I am thrilled to join Euroleague Basketball to help expand that connection through digital innovation. My goal is to create richer, more personalized experiences for our fans and partners, leveraging technology to bring the excitement of the game closer than ever,” stated Marta Alvarez.

In her new role, Marta will oversee the development of Euroleague Basketball’s digital platforms, drive fan data and engagement initiatives, build strategic partnerships  with leading technology companies and identify commercial opportunities in the digital ecosystem. She will also serve as a member of the Euroleague Basketball Executive Committee, contributing to the organization’s overall strategic direction and innovation agenda.

Marta’s appointment comes at a time of remarkable growth for Euroleague Basketball’s digital and technology ecosystem. [Euroleague.TV](http://Euroleague.TV) recorded a 32% increase in subscribers last season, the Fantasy Challenge reached a historic milestone of 310,000 users (+67%) and 550,000 teams (+79%), establishing itself as Europe’s leading basketball fantasy game, and the digital media ecosystem attracted 4.72 billion online viewers in clubs ‘local markets (+6%).

Marta Alvarez to lead the organization’s Digital and Technology Strategy

Euroleague Basketball and SPORT24, Greece’s leading digital sports media platform and part of 24MEDIA, are proud to announce a new official media partnership covering the next two seasons. As part of this collaboration, SPORT24 becomes the Official Premium Media Partner of Euroleague Basketball in Greece, delivering basketball fans unparalleled access to Europe’s premier competitions.

Euroleague Basketball and SPORT24 Announce Official Media Partnership in Greece

Euroleague Basketball and SPORT24, Greece’s leading digital sports media platform and part of 24MEDIA, are proud to announce a new official media partnership covering the next two seasons. As part of this collaboration, SPORT24 becomes the Official Premium Media Partner of Euroleague Basketball in Greece, delivering basketball fans unparalleled access to Europe’s premier competitions.

Through a dedicated Euroleague Basketball section on SPORT24, fans will enjoy extensive coverage of both the EuroLeague and the BKT EuroCup, including news, reports, statistics, live scores, interviews with players and coaches, behind-the-scenes stories, premium video highlights and exclusive fan engagement initiatives.

"We are delighted to join forces with SPORT24, Greece’s leading digital sports platform, to bring Euroleague Basketball even closer to its passionate fanbase in the country. This partnership ensures that Greek fans will enjoy premium coverage of both the EuroLeague and BKT EuroCup, at a time when excitement is higher than ever with the competition returning to Athens for the Final Four. Together, we look forward to celebrating the game and sharing unforgettable basketball moments with millions of fans across Greece," stated Alex Ferrer Kristjansson, Euroleague Basketball Chief Marketing and Communication Officer.

"We, at 24MEDIA and SPORT24, are proud to join forces with Euroleague Basketball with the sole goal to help make basketball bigger in Europe. As we remain committed to always promote the positive side of the sport, we are ready to provide the best possible coverage of Europe’s top league to the Greek audience, one of the most passionate fanbases in the whole world," Stated Pantelis Vlachopoulos, SPORT24 Editorial Director.

The partnership begins in an expanded season featuring 20 teams competing throughout the Regular Season and culminating in May with the EuroLeague Final Four. The event will mark a historic moment, as the Final Four returns to Athens for the first time in nearly 20 years.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Etihad Airways have officially become main sponsors of Euroleague Basketball for the next four years, an integrated collaboration that sets a new precedent in European sports. This landmark strategic alliance reinforces Abu Dhabi’s growing stature in global sport and marks a defining moment in Euroleague Basketball’s commercial evolution, connecting the emirate with the competition’s passionate global fanbase of 90 million supporters.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Etihad Airways Become Main Partners of Euroleague Basketball, Marking a Pivotal Sponsorship Milestone

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Etihad Airways have officially become main sponsors of Euroleague Basketball for the next four years, an integrated collaboration that sets a new precedent in European sports. This landmark strategic alliance reinforces Abu Dhabi’s growing stature in global sport and marks a defining moment in Euroleague Basketball’s commercial evolution, connecting the emirate with the competition’s passionate global fanbase of 90 million supporters.

Under the agreement, Experience Abu Dhabi, the destination brand of DCT Abu Dhabi, and Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the UAE, are officially designated as Euroleague competitions’ Main Partners and Final Four Presenting Partner. Experience Abu Dhabi and Etihad Airways branding will be prominently featured across Euroleague and BKT EuroCup games, including in-arena signage, live broadcasts and jersey integration across all Euroleague participating teams. Over the four-year period, the Experience Abu Dhabi and Etihad Airways logos will rotate across Euroleague team jerseys, ensuring balanced exposure.

The partnership also extends into the digital sphere, featuring extensive brand integration on Euroleague Basketball’s platforms and exclusive co-created content. Fans can also expect a slate of innovative activations aimed at deepening engagement, expanding the competitions’ global reach, and bringing audiences closer to the game.

H.E. Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: "This strategic partnership with Euroleague Basketball and Etihad Airways marks as significant step forward in strengthening Abu Dhabi’s presence on the global stage and reinforcing its position as a vibrant hub for basketball fans around the world., The impact of sport extends far beyond the court it drives economic growth by boosting tourism, attracting investment, and enhancing infrastructure for major events. This partnership stands as a key pillar of our Tourism Strategy 2030 – driving visitor growth, supporting economic diversification, and solidifying Abu Dhabi’s status as a preferred global destination for tourism, culture, and sport."

Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Airways, said: "Euroleague represents the pinnacle of European basketball, and we're excited to support this incredible sporting spectacle alongside our valued partner DCT Abu Dhabi. Through our network, we bring people to Abu Dhabi from across the globe, and this partnership allows us to reach new audiences who share our belief that the best experiences happen when you venture beyond borders."

Paulius Motiejunas, Euroleague Basketball CEO, said: "We are delighted to announce these partnerships, which embody our ambition to grow the game of basketball and foster meaningful global connections through sport. With Experience Abu Dhabi and Etihad Airways joining us, we look forward to creating unforgettable experiences for our fans while further strengthening the league’s international presence."

The 2025–26 EuroLeague season will mark another milestone, as the competition expands to 20 teams — welcoming newcomers Dubai Basketball — with the Regular Season tipping off on 30 September. The season will culminate with the prestigious Final Four in Athens, Greece, from 22–24 May 2026.

A strategic agreement that reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a global sports hub and supports the growth and development of the Euroleague into a new era.


The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Etihad Airways Become Main Partners of Euroleague Basketball

Euroleague Basketball and Dubai Media, through its flagship channel Dubai Sports TV, have announced a landmark agreement to broadcast the EuroLeague across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) for the next five seasons.  

Dubai Media secures landmark broadcast agreement to air EuroLeague across the MENA region

Euroleague Basketball and Dubai Media, through its flagship channel Dubai Sports TV, have announced a landmark agreement to broadcast the EuroLeague across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) for the next five seasons.  

The deal, secured by Euroleague Basketball’s strategic partner IMG, will bring the excitement and intensity of the premier basketball competition to more than 100 million households across the region on a free-to-air basis. 

Under the agreement, Dubai Sports TV will broadcast all Dubai Basketball games as well as a curated selection of the top games from across the league every week, offering audiences unparalleled access to one of the world’s most prestigious basketball competitions. Special focus will be placed on fixtures featuring Dubai Basketball, which will make its highly anticipated debut this season in an expanded 20-team format. The EuroLeague includes powerhouse clubs such as Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, FC Bayern Munich, Olympiacos Piraeus, Panathinaikos Athens, and reigning champions Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. 

Speaking on the announcement, Mohamed AlMulla, CEO of Dubai Media, said: “This partnership reinforces Dubai Media’s commitment to delivering world-class sporting content to audiences across the region. Broadcasting the EuroLeague aligns with our vision of positioning Dubai as a global hub for premier sports and entertainment. With the debut of Dubai Basketball in the EuroLeague, this agreement not only elevates the competition’s presence in the region but also inspires a new generation of fans and athletes.” 

“I would like to thank Dubai Media and the Dubai Sports Council for their commitment to making the EuroLeague accessible to the widest possible audience in the MENA region,” said Paulius Motiejunas, Euroleague Basketball CEO. “In recent years, we have prioritized our strategic goal of expanding the EuroLeague into new territories, creating opportunities for more fans to experience the competition. Following last season’s outstanding Final Four in Abu Dhabi and this season’s debut of Dubai Basketball, this agreement is both a milestone and a significant step in our global growth strategy, ensuring the highest broadcast standards for fans across the region.” 

The EuroLeague 2025–26 season tips off on September 30, with seven games on opening night. Dubai Basketball will make history in its first EuroLeague appearance at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, facing off against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade. 

Euroleague Basketball has approved alternative venues for Israeli teams to play their 2025-26 home games as per the impossibility of hosting games in Israel, due to the current situation.

Euroleague Basketball approves potential alternative venues for Israeli teams' home games

Euroleague Basketball has approved alternative venues for Israeli teams to play their 2025-26 home games as per the impossibility of hosting games in Israel, due to the current situation.

Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv and Hapoel Bank Yahav Jersualem have proposed hosting all its home games in Serbia's capital, Belgrade. Maccabi will play at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall while Hapoel will host its home games at Ranko Zeravica Sports Hall.

Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv have proposed playing their home games at Arena 8888 in Sofia, Bulgaria, with selected games played at Arena Botevgrad as per Arena 8888 unavailability.

The Israeli teams played their home games last two seasons at alternative venues due to security concerns derived from the ongoing armed conflict in the region, with the aim always being to ensure the safety and well-being of players, staff, and fans.

Euroleague Basketball will continue to monitor the evolution of the situation, while staying in contact with all related parties, and will announce any modifications regarding the above decisions in the case that the situation in the region returns to normal.

Euroleague Basketball has announced that the Round 1 and Round 2 games involving Anadolu Efes Istanbul have been relocated to Podgorica, Montenegro.

EuroLeague Round 1 and Round 2 Anadolu Efes games relocated to Podgorica

Euroleague Basketball has announced that the Round 1 and Round 2 games involving Anadolu Efes Istanbul have been relocated to Podgorica, Montenegro.

**Round 1:** Anadolu Efes Istanbul - Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv will be played on September 30 at 19:45 local time.

**Round 2:** Anadolu Efes Istanbul - Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv will be played on October 3 at 19:30 local time.

Both games will take place at MORACA in Podgorica, Montenegro. 

This decision has been taken considering Turkish and Israel government recommendations.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv (2025-10-03T17:30:00.000Z)

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv (2025-09-30T17:45:00.000Z)

Euroleague Basketball is proud to announce that the 2026 EuroLeague Final Four will take place in Athens, Greece, returning the prestigious event to one of basketball’s most storied destinations.

Athens to host 2026 EuroLeague Final Four 

Euroleague Basketball is proud to announce that the 2026 EuroLeague Final Four will take place in Athens, Greece, returning the prestigious event to one of basketball’s most storied destinations.

The 2026 EuroLeague Final Four will be held at the Telekom Center Athens, a venue with a capacity of over 18,000 spectators. Originally built in 1994 and extensively renovated for the 2004 Olympic Games, Telekom Center Athens has since hosted countless legendary basketball moments. The semifinals will take place on May 22, followed by the Championship Game on May 24.

This will mark the second time the Greek capital hosts the Final Four, the first being in 2007. Nearly two decades later, the EuroLeague's showcase event returns to the iconic venue, reaffirming Athens’ status as a cornerstone of European basketball.

“Athens is a city with a deep basketball heritage and one of the most passionate fan bases in Europe. We are thrilled to return in 2026 to Athens, a city that has hosted some of the most unforgettable moments in EuroLeague history," said Dejan Bodiroga, President of Euroleague Basketball. “Greece remains a key market for Euroleague Basketball, with two top-level clubs competing annually, an incredibly devoted fan community, and strong appeal as a global tourist destination. Bringing the Final Four back to Athens is a natural decision, one we are confident will deliver another spectacular event.”

"The return of the Final Four to Athens reflects the strong commitment we continue to build with our traditional markets" said Paulius Motiejunas, Euroleague Basketball CEO. “The city’s commitment to basketball, combined with its rich history and the passion of Greek fans, makes it an ideal stage for our biggest event. I would like to thank the Greek Government and the Ministry of Sports for their confidence in Euroleague Basketball. Their support and commitment have been instrumental in bringing the Final Four back to Athens after nearly two decades. With their continued backing, we are confident that we will once again deliver an unforgettable event.”

Hosting the Final Four again in Athens highlights Euroleague Basketball’s focus on delivering world-class live experiences for fans while strengthening the competition’s global profile.

EuroLeague Final Four to be played at Telekom Center Athens for the second time

Euroleague Basketball joins the Italian and global basketball family in mourning Giorgio Armani, the legendary fashion designer and passionate basketball patron, who passed away on Monday at the age of 91.

Euroleague Basketball mourns Giorgio Armani

Armani purchased Olimpia Milano in 2008 from Giorgio Corbelli, becoming the club’s sole owner and ushering in a new golden era. Under his stewardship, the team reclaimed its place among Europe’s elite, capturing six Italian League crowns, four Italian Cups, and five Italian Supercups. In 2021, Olimpia Milano returned to the EuroLeague Final Four for the first time since 1992, a milestone achievement in the club’s modern history. Courtside seats in Milan and across the continent often featured Armani himself, a testament to his deep devotion to the game and his players.

 

“Giorgio Armani was a pioneer, a global cultural leader, and a true friend of our sport,” said Dejan Bodiroga, Euroleague Basketball President. “I am deeply grateful for his invaluable contribution and support to Euroleague Basketball, his passing leaves an irreplaceable void, but his legacy will inspire generations to come.”

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Beyond basketball, Armani was a towering figure in global culture. He founded the Armani brand in 1975, revolutionizing the fashion industry and later expanding into entertainment, sport, and luxury hospitality. Known as the pioneer of red-carpet fashion, his influence extended far beyond the runway, shaping how generations experienced elegance and lifestyle. Among countless accolades, he was awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2021, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

 

"Mr. Armani’s showed that basketball could stand proudly alongside art, fashion, and culture, enriching the game with values that transcended the court. We are profoundly grateful for everything he gave to European basketball" stated Paulius Motiejunas, Euroleague Basketball CEO.

 

Giorgio Armani will be remembered not only as one of the greatest designers of all time, but also as a generous supporter of sport, a visionary leader, and a proud ambassador of Italian excellence.