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The ASM Global-operated arena has been named the home venue of newly established sports franchise team, Dubai Basketball
By Lisa Henderson on 10 Jul 2024
Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena has been named the home venue of newly established sports franchise team, Dubai Basketball.
The ‘milestone agreement’ is said to pave the way for international professional basketball in Dubai.
The Dubai club’s initial foray will be in the 16-team ABA (Adriatic) League, which will set in motion a series of events that will bring European stars to the 15,000-capacity arena, according to the two organisations.
While the Dubai club will be playing their ABA League matches away in Europe, the emirate will host all 15 teams in the league during the nine-month season, which kicks off in September 2024.
“We’re looking at a minimum of 20 home games this season,” said Coca-Cola Arena general manager Jan Kar in the recently published Global Arenas Guide 2024.
“What’s amazing about this is it’s going to be complementary to our live entertainment programming”
“What’s amazing about this is it’s going to be complementary to our live entertainment programming. Most games will take place on a Sunday or midweek, allowing us to deliver concerts Thursday through to Saturday and the occasional Sunday.”
Salem bin Dasmal, president of Dubai Basketball, said in a press release: “Securing the Coca-Cola Arena as our official home venue underscores our dedication to elevating the sport of basketball in Dubai.
“As a beacon of entertainment and sports excellence, the 15,000-capacity Coca-Cola Arena aligns with Dubai Basketball’s commitment to delivering world-class experiences to fans across the region. This partnership allows us to create unforgettable experiences for our fans and showcase the best global basketball talent in a world-class facility.”
Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai’s first and largest multipurpose indoor venue, recently marked five “monumental” years since it opened.
The ASM Global-operated arena launched on 6 June 2019 with a sold-out show from Canadian comedian Russell Peters.
Read more about arenas in the UAE in the Global Arenas Guide 2024.
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