By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
EuroLeague Basketball CEO Jordi Bertomeu sent a letter to fans who have ordered Final Four tickets throughout the years, regarding the upcoming tournament (Cologne, 28 – 30 May) and whether attendance in the event will be permitted in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
Bertomeu writes that so far it hasn’t be possible to guarantee that fans will be able to attend the event and a final decision on the matter by the Cologne authorities is expected to arrive in the following weeks. If the Final Four will be held behind closed doors, EuroLeague will be preparing “innovative ways” for fans to experience the event.
Bertomeu’s letter is as follows:
Dear fans,
As a valued Final Four customer – and following our commitment to offering all 2020 Final Four ticket buyers with priority access to sales in 2021 – I wanted to inform you about the status of the event, and more specifically, about the measures that are being put in place to allow for participants and potential attendees to enjoy it in the most comfortable and secure manner possible.
COVID-19 has brought enormous challenges to everyone’s lives on a global scale, and that has obviously impacted all sports organizations as well. A year ago, we were forced to take the most difficult decision in our history when canceling the season. That decision was especially sad because we could not deliver on our core purpose, providing fans with an unrivaled experience around their beloved sport, basketball. However, this decision was taken precisely by making the health and safety of those fans and every other individual involved in delivering that experience the number one priority.
Since that moment, we have been devoted to adjusting our activity to this ever-changing situation, and we are proud of the incredible efforts that our clubs, players, coaches, referees, staff members, etc. have made to ensure that we continue to deliver that experience by putting on a competition that is as exciting and thrilling as ever. We are incredibly proud of our fans, as well. You have remained loyal and have continued to support your teams from afar, even more than before.
Now that we are approaching the end of the season, we continue working hard to provide fans with the best possible experience around the biggest celebration of basketball on the continent, the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four. While it is our wish to see fans reunited with their teams in Cologne, Germany at the end of May, protecting people’s health and safety continues to be our priority.
Euroleague Basketball has been in constant contact with the local authorities in Germany to plan for every possible scenario by preparing specific protocols and setting extensive hygienic guidelines to assure the comfort and safety of all those who will be at Lanxess Arena during the event. This includes players, coaches, media, workers, staff and, of course, spectators – in the case that they are allowed to attend.
At this moment, the pandemic situation has not yet permitted us to make any tickets available to fans. It is still uncertain whether any spectators will be allowed to enjoy the event in person. In any case, we will employ innovative ways to bring the event as close as possible to every fan that remains at home.
In the coming weeks, we will publicly announce the decision of the local authorities, with which we will comply fully, as well as all additional measures that will be put in place for this special Final Four. If any changes in the situation finally allow for Final Four tickets to be sold, Euroleague Basketball will be prepared to do so. Of course, all necessary COVID-19-related measures that the general public needs to know about will be made fully clear in advance of any ticket sales.
Once again, my heartful thanks for your support, which continues fueling us to deliver more and better basketball experiences to all of you.
Looking forward to seeing you at EuroLeague and EuroCup arenas very soon,
Jordi Bertomeu
President & CEO
Euroleague Basketball