Athens to host Euroleague Final Four in 2026

Euroleague Basketball shareholders voted to host the 2026 European Final Four in Athens, Greece, at the renovated Telekom Center Athens, which has the capacity for over 18,000 spectators.

According to a Euroleague Basketball press release, the prestigious event is "returning the prestigious event to one of basketball’s most storied destinations, CE Report quotes ANA-MPA.

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.

Athens received a total of eight votes, against three for Bulgaria and two abstentions.

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. It will be the fourth time the European basketball finals are held in Greece, after the games held at the Peace and Friendship Stadium in 1993, the 2000 Finals in Thessaloniki, and indoor stadium at Pylaia and in 2007 at OAKA, when Panathinaikos won the trophy and became European champion.

“ 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.”