By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Once more the hosts of the EuroLeague Final Four will be Germany, in what’s expected to be the first Final Four event of the competition in the post COVID era. It has to be noted that Cologne, Germany, hosted the 2021 Final Four, but with the city being under lock down and without fans.
Per the official announcement:
The capital of Germany will host the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four for the third time next season as Euroleague Basketball brings the season-ending event back to the magnificent Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin for the weekend of May 27 to 29, 2022.
The City of Berlin has been an outstanding partner in both previous Final Fours there, in 2009 and 2016, and has already begun the planning stages for next year’s accompanying events, including the FanZone and the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Awards Ceremony.
Germany will become the first country to host Final Fours in consecutive seasons, following the 2021 edition at Lanxess Arena in Cologne. The decision to finish the 2021-22 season in Berlin is driven, in part, by the importance of Germany as a strategic market for Euroleague Basketball growth. German basketball has taken steps forward in recent years with ALBA Berlin and FC Bayern Munich both competing in the EuroLeague. Last season, Bayern became the first German club to reach the EuroLeague Playoffs.
“It’s a real pleasure to announce that the Final Four will visit Germany for the second consecutive year, returning to Berlin, one of the most emblematic Turkish Airlines EuroLeague cities,” Jordi Bertomeu, Euroleague Basketball President and CEO, said. “It is no secret that Germany is one of our most important strategic markets, with enormous growth possibilities. It is my biggest desire that after Cologne’s Final Four, all of our fans will have the chance to join us for the third time in the magnificent Mercedes-Benz Arena to enjoy again the EuroLeague experience.”
Opened in September 2008, Mercedes-Benz Arena is widely considered to be one of the best multipurpose indoor arenas in Europe and becomes the first to have the Final Four played on its courts three times this century. With a basketball seating capacity of 14,500, Mercedes-Benz Arena offers an ideal viewing experience for every ticket holder with great sightlines from every seat. In addition to hosting world-class sporting events in basketball, ice hockey, handball, mixed martial arts, boxing and esports, many of the world’s most popular recording artists have also performed live at Mercedes-Benz Arena.
“In 2022, Berlin will be the center of attention for the basketball world: the best teams will be here to compete for the EuroLeague trophy at the Final Four,” Michael Müller, Governing Mayor of Berlin, said. “Berlin is looking forward to welcoming these visitors and to an exciting tournament, after also hosting this competition in 2009 and 2016. With ALBA Berlin’s home court, the Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin can offer a venue with international appeal that meets the highest technical standards. I would like to wish the teams, their fans, and all basketball lovers a great experience, and of course, the sports capital Berlin hopes that the arena will be packed.”
Euroleague Basketball will once again collaborate with leading global venue management company AEG for the 2022 Final Four. It will be the fifth Final Four the two parties have joined forces on. On top of the two previous Final Fours in Berlin, Euroleague Basketball and AEG also worked together on the 2010 Final Four in Paris and the 2013 edition in London.
“We are excited that the Turkish Airlines Final Four returns to Berlin for a third time, further strengthening a longstanding partnership between Euroleague and AEG,” Gael Caselli, Vice President, Sports at AEG Europe, said. “Both previous Final Fours left their mark as two of the most memorable events the Mercedes-Benz Arena has ever hosted. We are confident that the tournament weekend in 2022 will add to that legacy.”