London’s O2 Arena to Host 2013 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four

London’s O2 Arena will host the 2013 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Fours, Europe’s premier basketball event, with a mutual option to hold the 2014 edition.

Euroleague Basketball and AEG will join forces to put on the tournament in the 20,000-seat indoor arena which will host the basketball and gymnastics at the 2012 London Olympics and staged a series of NBA exhibition games..

It is the first time a European basketball title game will take place in the United Kingdom and the announcement took place in Istanbul ahead of this year’s final on Sunday.

The event features the best four teams from the Turkish Airlines Euroleague season as well as the annual Nike International Junior Tournament and other parallel events.

Jordi Bertomeu, Euroleague Basketball President and CEO, said: “Six years ago we signed a strategic agreement with AEG, which has already borne wonderful fruit.

“In these six years we have worked together, with AEG as both consultants to our teams to maximize their arena resources and as hosts for our Final Fours.

“After our very successful Final Fours in Berlin and Paris, in which AEG has displayed great efficiency and professionalism in developing such a major event like the Final Four, we arrive at the opportunity to host it at London’s magnificent O2, one of the most modern and spectacular arenas in the world.

“I am confident that the Final Four, which is already an unforgettable experience for Turkish Airlines Euroleague fans, will take another step forward in London.

“We’re trying to help the growth of basketball in the UK and this is one of the ways we can make a contribution.

“The success of the NBA games proves that the interest is there from the public. The British team participating in the Olympics has to add value to promoting the game.”

Jay Marciano, President & CEO AEG Europe, said: “We’re very excited to announce that AEG and the O2 will be hosting the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four in both 2013 and 2014.

“Whilst The O2 is no stranger to basketball – it has hosted regular season NBA games and is gearing up for the London 2012 basketball finals –we are proud that Euroleague Basketball have, for the first time, chosen to hold the Final Four at the O2 for the next few seasons.

“I’m personally looking forward to building upon this great relationship after two extremely successful Final Fours organized jointly at the O2 World Berlin in 2009 and at the Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy in 2010.”