By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
EuroLeague Basketball president Dejan Bodigora proposed that the 2026 Final Four will be held in Belgrade, Serbia, according to Stark Arena Executive Director Goran Grbović.
Belgrade (Stark Arena) and Athens (OAKA Arena) are the main candidates to host the tournament.
“The were already two board meetings where the decision on the 2026 Final Four host should’ve been made,” Grbovic said to Sport Klub. “I have information that EuroLeague president Dejan Bodiroga, our legendary player, was in favor of Belgrade during the last meeting of the Board. It was actually his proposal. But OAKA got in the mix outside all protocols and statutes. We also applied for 2025, 2026 and 2027. It’s a matter of finances. But I’m optimistic about hosting the 2026 Final Four.”
Grbovic, a former Partizan Belgrade legend as player and the Stark Arena Executive Director since 2018, also mentioned that one reason why EuroLeague clubs may be against the Final Four held in Athens is the behavior of Panathinaikos Athens owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos.
“We are deep in the game this year. I don’t believe that EuroLeague teams will vote for Athens because of Dimitris Giannakopoulos’ attitude toward the league, the organization. Although, some tried to lobby. But, I have a ‘hunch’ that this time the majority will vote to find the best European quartet in the Arena in the spring of 2026. The next Board is on July 22, when it should be definitely known who will host the Final Four.”
Stark Arena hosted the 2018 and the 2022 Final Four with Real Madrid and Anadolu Efes respectively winning the championship title. Grbovic added that he feels Belgrade should once again become the home of the tournament for several reasons.
“I will certainly be present when the Euroleague clubs decide,” Grbovic also said. “I think that now the money will not be so exposed and a primary factor. Somewhere deep, emotionally, Belgrade and Serbia are “owed” that one Final Four because we were chased away a bit by the money of Abu Dhabi in a hall that can only accommodate 8,500, and with the modifications of the Euroleague, only 6,500 people watched the games of the season live. It is actually a concert hall, not a sports hall. Second, OAKA has 15,000 seats, our Arena 20,000, the Greek one with the mentioned modifications, holds 12,500, and we hold 16,500 people. That’s 4,000 tickets more, if we look at it economically.”
“It’s ridiculous that you reward someone who calls you ‘mafias, rascals,’ for example, with a Final Four,” Grbović concluded.