NBL EuroLeague tournament in Sydney cut to one day after draw change
Code Sports can reveal an earlier start date for the 2025/26 EuroLeague season – now September 30 – has prompted officials to call off the Monday night Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament event on September 22.
Sydney Kings and Adelaide 36ers were to play a second round of games against European giants Panathinaikos BC and KK Partizan at Qudos Bank Arena.
The Kings and 36ers will still take on the EuroLeague teams on the Sunday, September 21.
Panathinaikos BC and KK Partizan will also kickstart the first Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament outside of Europe with a blockbuster clash against each other in Melbourne on Thursday, September 18.
As a result, fans that purchased tickets can either join the PGT event on Sunday, September 21, with tickets seamlessly moved at no additional cost or opt for a full refund.
'We know how much fans look forward to these moments, so we regret any disappointment this may cause,' an NBL spokesman told Code Sports.
It comes as the NBL will split John Cain Arena in two for September's EuroLeague showdown between Panathinaikos BC and KK Partizan in a bid to highlight one of biggest rivalries in world basketball.
The Panathinaikos BC and KK Partizan teams are loaded with former NBA talent, headlined by gun Panathinaikos shooting guard Kendrick Nunn.
Nunn – who has played 212 NBA games for Miami, LA and Washington – is the reigning EuroLeague MVP.
He is currently on a three-year deal with Panathinaikos worth over $22 million as the highest paid player in EuroLeague history.
The NBL is tipping a bumper crowd to fill John Cain Arena to create a unique occasion.
'We're expecting an atmosphere unlike anything Australian basketball has ever seen,' an NBL spokesman said.
'The visual of two fan bases side-by-side, each driving their team with relentless passion, will be electric. It's what makes European basketball so special, and we're thrilled to bring that to our shores.'
The NBL also weighed in on separating the fans from Panathinaikos and Partizan, revealing the decision reflects the deep respect the league has for both clubs.
'It allows fans to express themselves the way they do back home,' the league said.
'Whether you're sitting on the Partizan side or the Panathinaikos side, you're going to feel part of something unforgettable. This isn't just a basketball game, it's a cultural celebration. A meeting of two of the most passionate fan bases in the world, right here in Melbourne.'
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