Coca-Cola Arena, the region’s premier venue for international live entertainment and sport, is marking a historic milestone as it concludes the debut ABA League season with Dubai Basketball, the city’s first professional basketball franchise and the arena’s official anchor tenant

During the nine-month season, Coca-Cola Arena welcomed over 61,000 fans, including 5,700 international visitors – highlighting Dubai’s rising position as a hub for global sports tourism.

The season drew over 200,000 website visits and saw more than 12,000 Dubai Basketball merchandise items sold, creating strong digital engagement and fan enthusiasm ahead of Dubai Basketball’s highly anticipated playoff debut against Cedevita Olimpija on Sunday, 11^th May at Coca-Cola Arena.

The landmark decision to make Dubai Basketball the official anchor tenant at Coca-Cola Arena marked a major step forward for professional sports in the city. The partnership has helped transform Dubai’s basketball scene and fueled the team’s ambition to reach the EuroLeague – one of the highest levels of European basketball. Their debut ABA League season brought top European teams like Partizan and Crvena Zvezda to Dubai, giving fans a front-row seat to elite international talent on the home court.

Mark Jan Kar, General Manager of Coca-Cola Arena said, “Dubai Basketball’s playoff success in their debut season marks a major milestone, not just for the team, but for the growth of professional sports entertainment in the region. At Coca-Cola Arena, we see this as a powerful endorsement of Dubai’s market potential, fan engagement, and the experiential opportunities tied to high-performance sport. We’re proud to be the home court of a team that’s delivering both on and off the court.”

Coca-Cola Arena’s investment in infrastructure, including a FIBA-compliant court, custom LED displays, broadcast-grade AV, and dedicated team facilities, ensured the delivery of world-class home court experiences and set a new benchmark for professional basketball in the region. Fans continue to enjoy elevated game day experiences, with Founding Season Pass holders receiving priority access to home game fixtures, reserved seating, fast-track entry, merchandise discounts, exclusive player meet-and-greets, and premium food and beverage offerings throughout the season.

Beyond the court, Dubai Basketball made a lasting impact in the community. More than 20,000 school students attended games throughout the season, while the team participated in 18 community initiatives, including 16 school visits and 2 charity events demonstrating a strong commitment to youth development and inclusion. Initiatives with Falcons Academy and Heroes of Hope provided unforgettable game-day experiences and direct interactions with players, giving students and People of Determination a chance to connect with the sport in an inspiring way.

As Dubai Basketball heads into its first-ever playoffs, Coca-Cola Arena remains at the core of the team’s journey, bringing fans together, creating unforgettable moments and showcasing legendary sports. Secure your playoff tickets, grab your exclusive first season merchandise and be part of this historic moment for Dubai Basketball! Link

One city. One team