Panathinaikos announced the 8th “Pavlos Giannakopoulos” Tournament, which will take place on Friday, September 18, and Saturday, September 19, at the Telekom Center Athens.

Partizan, PAOK, and EuroCup champion Burg will participate in this major basketball event, having accepted the “Greens’” invitation.

The tournament has now become an institution and is a special event dedicated to the memory of Pavlos Giannakopoulos, the man who linked his name to the most successful era in Panathinaikos’ history and played a decisive role in establishing the club at the pinnacle of European basketball.

Following the highly successful tournaments held at Panathinaikos Stadium in 2024 and in Australia in 2025, the “Pavlos Giannakopoulos” Tournament returns to Athens and will be held for the first time at the Telekom Center Athens in its new format.

More details regarding the event, as well as ticket sales, are expected to be announced by the “green” basketball club in the near future.

The tournament schedule:

Friday, September 18

6:00 p.m.: Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade – PAOK
9:00 p.m.: Panathinaikos AKTOR – JL Bourg

Saturday, September 19

5:00 p.m.: Third-place game
8:00 p.m.: Championship game

The announcement:

“Panathinaikos AKTOR Basketball Club announces the 8th “Pavlos Giannakopoulos” Tournament, in memory of the Club’s leading figure, on Friday, September 18, and Saturday, September 19, at our “home,” the Telekom Center Athens.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, PAOK, and EuroCup champion Cosea JL Bourg have accepted the invitation from Panathinaikos AKTOR Basketball Club and will be in attendance at this major event—which has now become an institution—to honor the memory of our historic leader, the man who brought the club to the top of Europe and made it known throughout the world.

Following its highly successful runs at the Panathenaic Stadium in 2024 and in Australia in 2025, the “Pavlos Giannakopoulos” Tournament returns to the most beautiful arena in Europe, the Telekom Center Athens, which will host this prestigious event for the first time in its new format.

Pavlos Giannakopoulos, with his integrity and passion for sports, honored Greek athletics and managed to change the history of our team, establishing it as the most successful in Europe.

During his tenure as president of Panathinaikos, he brought top names in the sport to the team from Greece, Europe, and around the world, building an enviable trophy case with six European Championships, thirteen Greek Championships, nine Greek Cups, and one Intercontinental Cup. Everyone had immense respect and love for Pavlos Giannakopoulos, as he served first as a “father figure” and later as president.

The schedule for the 8th “Pavlos Giannakopoulos”

Tournament September 18, 2026

GAME 1: Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade – PAOK (6:00 PM)

GAME 2: Panathinaikos AKTOR – JL Bourg (9:00 PM)

September 19, 2026

GAME 1 – 5:00

PM GAME 2 – 8:00

PM More details regarding the 8th “Pavlos Giannakopoulos” Tournament and tickets will be announced shortly.”

*photo source: Panathinaikos BC