VTB Super Cup

Current Season Analysis

The 2025/26 VTB SuperCup, held in Belgrade from September 24–25, 2025, crowned CSKA Moscow as champions with a dominant 96–79 victory over Zenit Saint Petersburg in the final. CSKA's triumph marked their third SuperCup title and their second championship in three years, demonstrating the club's sustained excellence at the season's outset. The Moscow-based powerhouse, defending VTB League champions from 2024/25, showcased their championship pedigree by navigating the international field with clinical efficiency. Their 96-point output in the final set a new tournament scoring record, reflecting both CSKA's offensive prowess and their preparation for the new season.

The tournament's structure—contested by CSKA, Zenit, Serbian powerhouse Crvena Zvezda, and Dubai, making their debut in both the SuperCup and Euroleague—created a compelling international narrative. Zenit Saint Petersburg, the runner-up, had undergone significant restructuring during the offseason, including the departure of legendary coach Javier Pascual and the arrival of new players like Andre Roberson and Nenad Dimitrijevic. Despite these changes, Zenit reached the final, demonstrating the team's resilience and the quality of their new roster. Their 79-point output in the championship match suggested some offensive inconsistency, though their path to the final proved they remain among Russia's elite.

The tournament's relocation to Belgrade marked a watershed moment for the VTB League's international ambitions. For the first time in the competition's history, the championship final did not feature a Russian team facing another Russian team—though both finalists were indeed Russian. The presence of Crvena Zvezda, the Serbian powerhouse that finished third with an 80–82 loss to Dubai in the third-place match, and Dubai's ambitious debut underscored the SuperCup's evolution from a domestic Russian showcase into a genuinely international tournament. Dubai, backed by significant investment and featuring NBA-experienced talent like Dwayne Bacon (the previous VTB League MVP), demonstrated competitive ambition, though their third-place finish (82–80 over Crvena Zvezda) suggested they require additional cohesion as they prepare for their Euroleague debut.

Crvena Zvezda's semifinal performance revealed both promise and challenges for the Serbian club. The Belgrade-based team, which had radically rebuilt its roster with high-profile signings including shooting guard Devonte Graham (formerly of the NBA's Charlotte Hornets), lost their semifinal to CSKA 89–67, a 22-point deficit that exposed some defensive vulnerabilities. However, their recovery in the third-place match—a thrilling 82–80 victory over Dubai—demonstrated character and competitive spirit. Graham's presence adds significant star power to Serbian basketball, and his integration into Crvena Zvezda's system will be crucial as they pursue both domestic and European silverware.

The standout individual performer of the tournament was Nikita Kurbanov of CSKA Moscow, the 2025/26 VTB League MVP candidate who had recently returned from hand surgery. Kurbanov's presence and performance in CSKA's championship run underscored the club's depth and their ability to field a fully healthy roster at the season's outset. The tournament also highlighted the emergence of Janan Musa from Dubai, the versatile forward arriving from Real Madrid, whose performances suggested he could become a key figure in the UAE club's Euroleague campaign. Beyond individual brilliance, the 2025/26 SuperCup revealed that CSKA Moscow's roster construction—blending proven VTB League veterans with strategic international additions—remains the template for championship success.

The Belgrade setting infused the tournament with unique energy and cultural significance. The iconic Belgrade Arena, with a capacity exceeding 18,000, provided an atmospheric venue for what was essentially a European basketball festival. Serbian basketball culture's deep roots—reflected in the presence of basketball legends like Milos Teodosic and Boban Marjanovic—created an environment where the VTB League could showcase its quality to a sophisticated European audience. This geographic expansion signals the league's intent to position itself not merely as Russia's premier competition, but as a significant force within European basketball, capable of competing for international attention alongside Euroleague, which several SuperCup participants also contest.

Tournament History and Evolution

The VTB SuperCup represents the latest chapter in a longer narrative of pre-season basketball competition in Russia. The tournament's predecessor, the Aleksandr Gomelsky Cup, was held annually from at least 2010 through 2020, honoring the legendary Soviet and CSKA coach whose tactical innovations shaped Russian basketball. When the VTB United League formalized its pre-season structure in 2021, the SuperCup replaced the Gomelsky Cup as the official opening tournament, maintaining the tradition of honoring Gomelsky through the trophy's name. This continuity reflects the Russian basketball establishment's respect for historical legacy while embracing modernization.

The tournament's initial format in 2021 was deliberately exclusive: only the four strongest clubs from the previous VTB League season—determined by final standings—were invited. This created a meritocratic structure where regular-season performance directly determined SuperCup participation. CSKA Moscow won the inaugural 2021 SuperCup with an 81–73 victory over UNICS Kazan, establishing themselves as the early-season standard-bearer. However, the tournament's subsequent evolution revealed the VTB League's strategic ambitions. By 2022, international teams were invited, transforming the competition from a domestic Russian affair into a regional showcase. Serbian clubs Mega Belgrade and Partizan Belgrade joined in 2022, leveraging Belgrade's basketball culture and geographic proximity to Moscow.

The tournament's competitive balance has favored CSKA Moscow and Zenit Saint Petersburg, the two dominant forces in contemporary Russian basketball. CSKA has won three titles (2021, 2024, 2025), while Zenit claimed back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023 before finishing runner-up in 2025. Lokomotiv Kuban, the other perennial VTB League contender, reached the 2023 final but fell to Zenit 85–83, their only appearance in a SuperCup championship match. This concentration of success reflects the broader reality of Russian basketball: a two-club hierarchy with occasional challenges from third-tier competitors. The 2025 tournament's international expansion—featuring Dubai's debut—suggests the VTB League is attempting to broaden the competitive field and generate fresh narratives beyond the predictable CSKA-Zenit rivalry.

International Expansion and the Belgrade Milestone

The 2025 relocation to Belgrade represents a transformative moment for the VTB SuperCup. For five seasons (2021–2024), the tournament was held in Moscow, typically at venues like the CSKA Arena or other municipal facilities. This geographic constraint reflected the tournament's original positioning as a domestic Russian competition. The move to Belgrade, however, signals the VTB League's determination to establish itself as a pan-European competition capable of hosting events beyond its traditional Russian heartland. The choice of Belgrade specifically—a city with deep basketball traditions and passionate fans—was strategic. Serbian basketball culture treats the sport with almost religious fervor, and the presence of Serbian clubs in the SuperCup created natural local interest.

The Belgrade Arena, with its capacity of over 18,000, provided an appropriately grand stage. The 2025 tournament attracted approximately 80 international media accreditations, far exceeding typical domestic Russian basketball coverage. This media presence included representatives from Spain, Greece, and other European nations, reflecting the VTB League's growing visibility beyond its traditional sphere. The tournament's timing in late September, just weeks before both the VTB League regular season and the Euroleague season, positioned it as a significant pre-season barometer for multiple competitions. Teams competing in both the SuperCup and Euroleague—such as Zenit and the international guests—treated the tournament as a crucial preparation ground.

The presence of Dubai in 2025 was particularly significant. The UAE-based club, backed by substantial investment and featuring NBA-experienced players, was making its Euroleague debut in the 2025/26 season. Their participation in the SuperCup served multiple purposes: it provided competitive rhythm before the Euroleague campaign, it allowed them to test their roster chemistry against elite opposition, and it positioned them within the VTB League's growing international network. While Dubai finished third (losing the third-place match to Crvena Zvezda 82–80), their participation underscored how the SuperCup had evolved from a Russian domestic tournament into a genuine international competition.

Competitive Structure and Tactical Significance

The Final Four format of the VTB SuperCup, while simple in structure, creates intense competition. With only four teams and two days of play, every match carries weight. The 2025 tournament demonstrated this perfectly: CSKA's 96–79 demolition of Zenit in the final was not inevitable. Both semifinal matches were competitive—CSKA defeated Crvena Zvezda 89–67, while Zenit edged Dubai 107–103. The Zenit-Dubai semifinal, in particular, showcased the quality of international basketball now competing in the SuperCup. Dubai's ability to push Zenit to 107 points suggested they are a genuinely competitive Euroleague entrant, not merely a wealthy expansion franchise.

From a tactical perspective, the SuperCup serves as a crucial laboratory for coaches and teams. New rosters can be tested under competitive pressure without the stakes of regular-season points. Player integration—particularly for teams with significant offseason turnover—can be evaluated in real time. CSKA's decisive championship performance, despite Zenit's significant roster changes, suggested that the Moscow club's roster construction and coaching (under Dimitris Itoudis) remains superior to Zenit's newly assembled team. Conversely, Zenit's ability to reach the final despite ongoing integration challenges suggested their new additions (Roberson, Dimitrijevic) could develop into a formidable unit by the time the regular season begins.

The tournament also provides valuable data on international competition. The presence of Crvena Zvezda and Dubai allowed Russian teams to evaluate their competitiveness against the broader European landscape. CSKA's dominant victory over Crvena Zvezda (89–67) suggested Russian basketball maintains its competitive edge over Serbian basketball at the elite level, at least for now. However, Crvena Zvezda's third-place finish and their ability to defeat Dubai 82–80 indicated that Serbian basketball, bolstered by high-profile signings like Devonte Graham, remains competitive. These performances provide context for the VTB League's positioning within European basketball hierarchies.

Future Implications and the 2026/27 Outlook

The success of the 2025 Belgrade SuperCup—from both competitive and organizational perspectives—suggests the VTB League will continue expanding the tournament's international scope. The tournament's relocation outside Russia was not merely a one-off experiment but rather a strategic repositioning. Future SuperCups may rotate between European cities, further enhancing the league's international profile. Belgrade's success as a host city (the tournament drew significant crowds and media attention) makes it a likely candidate for future editions, though other European capitals with strong basketball cultures could potentially host.

The competitive implications are equally significant. CSKA Moscow's dominance—three titles in five seasons—positions them as the SuperCup's most successful franchise, a distinction that carries prestige heading into the regular season. However, the tournament's expansion to include international teams and its relocation to Europe may gradually dilute CSKA's advantage. If the tournament continues to attract elite international clubs and rotates between European venues, the competitive field will broaden, and Russian teams' historical dominance may be challenged more consistently.

For individual players, the SuperCup has become a crucial audition stage. Devonte Graham's presence in Belgrade for Crvena Zvezda, Janan Musa's debut with Dubai, and Andre Roberson's return to competitive basketball with Zenit all underscore how the tournament functions as a showcase for player integration and performance. Scouts, coaches, and media use the SuperCup to evaluate talent and form early-season narratives. CSKA's victory and Nikita Kurbanov's performance in the championship run reinforced the narrative that CSKA remains Russia's elite team and a genuine Euroleague contender.

The Broader Context: VTB League's European Ambitions

The VTB SuperCup's evolution reflects the broader VTB League's strategic positioning within European basketball. The league, founded in 2009, has grown from a regional competition into a genuinely international league featuring clubs from Russia, the Balkans, and increasingly, other European regions. The presence of Crvena Zvezda and Partizan Belgrade as regular participants in the VTB League underscores this internationalization. The SuperCup, as the league's official pre-season tournament, serves as a showcase for this broader European identity.

The league's broadcast strategy reinforces this positioning. The partnership with VK Video ensures free, widespread distribution of SuperCup matches across Russia and Eastern Europe, while Euroleague networks provide international coverage. This multi-platform approach positions the SuperCup as accessible to casual fans while maintaining prestige among serious basketball enthusiasts. The 80 international media accreditations for the 2025 Belgrade edition suggest significant interest from European sports media, a development that would have been unlikely if the tournament remained Moscow-based and exclusively domestic in character.

The VTB League's relationship with Euroleague is also worth noting. While the VTB League operates independently, several of its clubs (including CSKA, Zenit, and increasingly, international guests) also compete in Euroleague. The SuperCup provides these clubs with valuable preparation time and allows the VTB League to position itself as a "gateway" competition between domestic Russian basketball and elite European competition. This positioning enhances the league's prestige and attracts international talent and investment.