Dubai Basketball Club had eagerly anticipated a return to their home court at the Coca-Cola Arena for the 2025-26 ABA League semi-finals, with the first game against Buducnost VOLI scheduled for May 20th. However, these plans have been abruptly halted due to league regulations.
The ABA League’s governing body has reportedly informed the Dubai club that they cannot host playoff games at the Coca-Cola Arena, despite their previous participation and use of the venue. The exact reasons for this restriction are not yet fully disclosed, but it is understood to be related to specific league protocols or venue requirements that the Dubai club’s current setup does not meet.
This development comes as a significant setback for Dubai, who were looking forward to playing in front of their home fans during a crucial stage of the competition. The club is now facing the challenge of finding an alternative neutral venue that complies with ABA League regulations for their playoff matches.
The ABA League, aiming to maintain a standardized and fair competition, enforces strict rules regarding playoff venues. It is crucial for all participating teams to adhere to these guidelines to ensure the integrity of the tournament.
Further updates are expected as Dubai Basketball and the ABA League work to resolve this issue and determine the final venue for the upcoming semi-final series.
