Dubai Basketball make history by clinching ABA League title

Saturday, 13 June 2026 00:06

By ARN News Staff

Dubai Basketball secured their first ABA League title after defeating Partizan 83-81 in Game 4 of the finals in Belgrade, sealing a 3-1 series victory.

Dubai Basketball won the first two games of the Finals series at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai earlier this month before Serbian outfit Partizan, one of the biggest clubs in Europe, won the third game in Belgrade to keep their hopes alive.

But the UAE-based team held their nerve in the fourth game on the away court to clinch a historic win, becoming the first team from Asia to win one of the biggest basketball leagues in Europe.

Dubai Basketball head coach Aleksander Sekulić was lost for words after the final buzzer amid incredible scenes on the court.

“This title means a lot for a club that is only in its second year of existence. We had a great season, and this trophy belongs to everyone who was part of this journey: the players, the coaches and all the staff who contributed along the way. They all played an important role in what we achieved together,” Sekulić said.

In their second season as a professional team featuring elite players from Europe, Dubai Basketball proved their class by competing in two big events simultaneously.

While Dubai went on to win the ABA League, they came close to securing a play-in spot in the Euro League with an 11th-placed finish, the biggest basketball tournament after the NBA.

What made Dubai Basketball's victory all the more incredible was that due to the Iran war, they were forced to briefly play their home games away from the Middle East in Europe.

DUBAI BASKETBALL ARE THE 2025/26 #ABALiga CHAMPIONS! 🏆

A historic night. A historic achievement. The first trophy in club history. ✨ pic.twitter.com/PDH5ScZ2HL
— Dubai Basketball (@dubaibasket) June 12, 2026

Dubai Basketball crowns the 2025/26 ABA League champions, becoming the first team representing Dubai and the UAE to win a major international league title. pic.twitter.com/J0vKAIdEAe
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 13, 2026

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