Dubai Basketball faces Virtus Bologna on Thursday, 15 January 2026 at Coca-Cola Arena, with doors opening at 6:30 pm and tip-off at 8:00 pm. You can contact the venue via 800 22 33 88, or visit the box office team by email at boxoffice@coca-cola-arena.com. The arena sits in City Walk, Dubai, close to Financial Centre Road and Sheikh Zayed Road, so Downtown traffic patterns apply. Tickets currently start from approximately 75 AED, while premium categories can rise significantly depending on seating. Plan to be inside before 7:45 pm for smoother security checks.
What this matchup represents
This fixture lands in the EuroLeague calendar, so it carries a sharper edge than a casual friendly (great for sports fans, suitable for couples, and fun for solo visitors). Virtus Bologna brings a long European basketball tradition, and the team often travels with a loud, loyal following. Meanwhile, Dubai Basketball has turned these home dates into big-city nights, mixing sport with arena-scale production. So even if you do not watch EuroLeague weekly, the pace and physicality usually pull newcomers in quickly. Expect a high-intensity game rhythm from the opening minutes.
Entry rules and timing flow
Doors opening at 6:30 pm gives you time to settle, grab refreshments, and find your section without rushing. Also, the venue typically runs a strict screening process, so bags and prohibited items can slow down last-minute arrivals. If you bring children, note that guests under 16 must attend with an adult or parent aged 18 or over. Additionally, children above 2 years old generally need their own valid ticket for entry. Entry rules are enforced at the gates.
Tickets and where to buy them
For ticketing, the most reliable options are COCA-COLA ARENA’s official ticketing path and PLATINUMLIST, depending on the allocation shown for your section. Prices should be treated as approximately, because categories can change with demand, especially near game week. Also, the arena’s event notes commonly mention that e-tickets may be delivered close to the match date, so do not panic if you do not see them immediately. If you want confidence on seating and entry, choose a platform that clearly shows your block, row, and gate. Only buy from official ticketing partners.
Getting there from within Dubai
Coca-Cola Arena sits inside City Walk, and you can reach it quickly from Sheikh Zayed Road or Al Safa Street, although congestion can build before 7:30 pm. However, public parking near the arena is limited, so many people prefer taxis or ride-hailing for a cleaner arrival. If you use the Metro, take the Red Line to Burj Khalifa or Dubai Mall station, then continue by taxi or a brisk walk of roughly 20–25 minutes. Also, the venue uses designated drop-off areas near the main entrances, which helps if someone drives you in. Parking capacity is limited.
Coming from Abu Dhabi and Sharjah
If you drive from Abu Dhabi, you will typically approach via E11 toward central Dubai, then connect toward City Walk using the main Downtown corridors near Financial Centre Road. Meanwhile, from Sharjah, you can follow the usual Dubai-bound highways and then aim for the City Walk area before the 7:00 pm traffic peak strengthens. So, for an 8:00 pm tip-off, a practical target is reaching City Walk by about 7:15 pm, especially if you plan to park. After the game, consider walking a few minutes away from the tightest arena frontage before requesting a car, because pick-ups can bottleneck. Allow extra driving time across emirate borders in the evening.
Warnings and tips for Thursday 15 January
On Thursday, 15 January 2026, Dubai’s evening weather looks mild and mostly clear around game time, hovering near the low-to-mid 20s °C, so a light layer usually feels enough inside and outside. Still, the arena air-conditioning can feel cool, so bring a thin jacket if you chill easily. Because City Walk roads tighten before doors open, aim for arrival between 6:45 pm and 7:15 pm for calmer entry, and use Metro plus a short taxi if you want to avoid parking stress. Ticket prices and door policies can change, so treat any amounts as approximately and double-check your ticket category before you travel, especially if you purchased late. According to the editorial checks used for www.few.ae, the smartest move is simple: lock your tickets early via COCA-COLA ARENA or PLATINUMLIST and plan a buffer for City Walk traffic. Do not leave ticket purchase or arrival planning to the last hour.
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