Abu Dhabi witnesses Real Madrid crowned champions of the inaugural edition of the European Basketball Club Super Cup

The inaugural edition of the European Club Basketball Super Cup concluded on Saturday evening at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, with Real Madrid claiming the tournament’s first title after defeating Olympiacos Piraeus 93-89 in the final.

The tournament featured four of the top teams in the European Basketball League (EuroLeague): Olympiacos Piraeus, the league champions; Fenerbahçe TAV Istanbul, the 2025 champions; Real Madrid, the 2026 EuroLeague runner-up; and the Dubai Basketball Club, representing the United Arab Emirates.

Competitions began on Friday, September 18, with the two semifinal matches. The first pitted Olympiacos Piraeus against Fenerbahçe TAV Istanbul, while the second saw the Dubai Basketball Club face Real Madrid. Saturday’s schedule opened with the third-place playoff, which Fenerbahçe TAV Istanbul won against the Dubai Basketball Club, before the tournament concluded with the final between Real Madrid and Olympiacos Piraeus.

The event attracted a roster of celebrities and global figures to Etihad Arena, including Brazilian star Marcelo, former Real Madrid player, who followed the matches from the stands. He also visited the Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum.

Former Real Madrid star Welshman Gareth Bale also joined the audience at Etihad Arena over the two days. Spanish actresses and Real Madrid fans Pagona Vargas and Maria Pedraza attended the second day’s matches, alongside Turkish television star Burak Özçivit.

The tournament also hosted a select group of global content creators and influencers specializing in basketball, who shared the competitive atmosphere with their followers. Among them were Islam Afro, Matt Kitebys, streetball star Grayson Boucher, known as “The Professor,” Lee McCall, as well as influencers Elvis Audi, Sofiane Bernoux, and Ayman Al-Yaman.

Real Madrid star Walter Tavares was awarded the Best Player of the inaugural edition of the tournament in recognition of his exceptional performance throughout the competition.

Hosting the inaugural European Club Basketball Super Cup contributes to enriching Abu Dhabi’s growing calendar of major international cultural, sports, and entertainment events, and reinforces the emirate’s position as a leading global destination.