The trip by Badalona Mayor Xavier Garcia Albiol to Geneva (Switzerland) aims to unblock the final date for the FIBA Champions League (BCL) Final Four. The key meeting, scheduled for this Thursday, will be with Jorge Garbajosa, president of FIBA Europe, to confirm the event's celebration in the city.
FIBA had initially agreed that the Final Four would take place between May 8 and 10, 2026. However, the Badalona City Council expressed concern because May 10 coincides with the traditional Cremada del Dimoni festival, a local celebration they do not want to be affected.
The proposal from the Badalona City Council is for the final to be played on Saturday, May 9, which would also imply an adjustment to the date of the semifinals.
Despite the pending logistical details, FIBA has already shown strong interest in holding the Final Four in Badalona. Sources from the international organization confirmed that they have pre-reserved a hundred hotel rooms in a five-star complex in the city, pending the official announcement.
On the sporting side, Joventut Badalona is one of the teams aspiring to play the Final Four at home. The green-and-black team finished the regular phase as undefeated leader and is currently in Group K of the TOP-16, competing for a place in the quarterfinals, the last elimination round before defining the four finalist teams.
