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Abu Dhabi to Host NextGen EuroLeague U18 Tournament

Defending champs Žalgiris and five-time winners Real Madrid headline the February 27–March 1 showdown at Space42 Arena.

  • Publish date: since 6 hours Reading time: two min read
Abu Dhabi to Host NextGen EuroLeague U18 Tournament

Abu Dhabi is about to get loud.

Eight of Europe’s best U18 basketball teams are flying in for the NextGen EuroLeague qualifying tournament, happening from February 27 to March 1 at the Space42 Arena.

On the line? A ticket to the adidas NextGen Finals during the EuroLeague Final Four in Athens.

The Big Names to Watch

Leading the pack is defending champion Žalgiris Kaunas U18, fresh off last season’s title run.

Then there’s powerhouse Real Madrid U18, the competition’s most successful club with five continental championships (2015, 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2024). After a rare off year last season, they’re coming in hungry.

If you like comeback stories, this one’s brewing.

Who Else Is Playing?

The full Abu Dhabi lineup includes:

  • U18 Aris Thessaloniki

  • U18 AS Monaco

  • U18 Dubai Basketball

  • U18 Next Gen Team Abu Dhabi

  • U18 London Lions

  • U18 Valencia Basket

Some teams are looking to prove themselves. Others are chasing redemption. And London Lions? This is their debut season in the competition.

How the Tournament Works

The eight teams are split into two groups of four.

They’ll play round-robin games within their groups. The top team from each group advances to the championship game on Sunday, March 1. The rest will compete in placement matches to determine final rankings.

Simple format. High stakes.

Why This Matters

The winner in Abu Dhabi secures a spot at the adidas NextGen Finals, held during the EuroLeague Final Four in Athens, Greece.

Another team, U18 Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, has already qualified after winning the Ulm event. The final two spots will be decided in upcoming qualifiers in Bologna and Belgrade.

For young players, this isn’t just another tournament. It’s a serious stage — scouts, reputations, and future careers are all in play.

Abu Dhabi hosting again shows how big the city’s basketball scene is getting. And if you’re into fast, high-energy games with future stars before they blow up, this is the weekend to show up.

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