Abu Dhabi signs multi-year agreement to host NBA games starting 2022

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) today have announced a multiyear partnership to host the first-ever NBA games in the UAE.

The two preseason NBA games in Abu Dhabi would be held in October 2022 and will mark the first such games in the region.

In a statement issued by the Abu Dhabi Media Office, it said that the participating teams and host venue will be announced at a later date.

The partnership will include a variety of interactive fan events featuring appearances by current and former NBA players, the launch of Jr. NBA Leagues for boys and girls at schools across the UAE, a series of NBA Fit Clinics promoting health and wellness, and an NBA 2K League exhibition event too.

The partnership will see DCT Abu Dhabi serve as the Official Tourism Destination Partner of the NBA in China, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

Abu Dhabi will host the first NBA games in the region, following @dctabudhabi’s multi-year partnership with @NBA, further strengthening the emirate’s position as a centre for global sporting events. pic.twitter.com/GXIebYETZy

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) November 16, 2021

“We look forward to the NBA playing an integral role in developing young talent and healthy lifestyles at grassroots level – the heart of the UAE’s strategy, which places great emphasis on empowering youth and building a sustainable future for the nation and future generations,” said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman at DCT Abu Dhabi.

NBA Deputy Commissioner and COO Mark Tatum added, “As we celebrate the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Season, partnering with DCT Abu Dhabi to bring the first NBA and NBA 2K League games and events to the UAE marks an important milestone in basketball’s continued global growth. Abu Dhabi is a vibrant multicultural hub with a demonstrated track record of hosting world-class sporting events, and this partnership will not only bring the live NBA and NBA 2K League experience to fans in the Middle East, but it will also create opportunities for boys and girls to learn the fundamentals and core values of the game through a variety of grassroots programming and fan events.”

During the 2021-22 NBA season, NBA games and programming will reach fans in 11 countries across the Middle East.
Fans in the region can also watch every NBA game live and on demand on NBA League Pass, the league’s premium live game subscription service.