HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Expanding our partnership with the NBA further strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as the new home of basketball in the Middle East and strengthens our commitment to young people, inspiring our communities, diversifying our economy and enhancing the emirate’s status as a global destination.” “Establishing the NBA Global Academy in Abu Dhabi will pave the way for UAE and UAE-based athletes, coaches and sports professionals to learn from the world’s best, and hosting the NBA Global Games long-term will inspire the next generation.
“In addition to hosting world-class sporting events in our capital, the NBA’s youth programs and grassroots initiatives promote healthy, active lifestyles and connect residents to the universal values of sport. This multi-year commitment reflects Abu Dhabi’s ambition to be a hub for culture, entertainment and excellence for residents and visitors alike.”
“Our collaboration with DCT Abu Dhabi has been instrumental in increasing basketball participation and fandom in the UAE and across the Middle East,” said Mark Tatum, NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer. “We look forward to furthering these efforts in the coming years, including the launch of the NBA Global Academy, which will help develop elite-level players from across the region and around the world.”
Additional details on upcoming NBA preseason games in Abu Dhabi, including schedules and participating teams, will be announced at a later date.
The collaboration will see DCT Abu Dhabi once again serve as the NBA’s tourism destination partner for the Middle East, China and Europe through its destination brand, Experience Abu Dhabi, while also expanding the reach of its destination partnerships to include Africa, Asia Canada and Latin America.
The expanded collaboration between DCT Abu Dhabi and the NBA also sees four existing Jr. NBA/Jr. The WNBA league in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain will expand to six leagues this fall and to 12 leagues by 2028.
Abu Dhabi will also host two annual basketball tournaments featuring the best youth and elite players from around the world, starting with the 2025 NBA Academy Showcase in Abu Dhabi, held September 25-27 at the NYU Abu Dhabi campus, featuring top high school students from four elite basketball programs: NBA Academy Africa (Senegal), IMG Academy (USA), INSEP (France) and Basketball Australia Center of Excellence. Athletes participated.
The NBA Academy Program offers a holistic approach to player development and a predictable path to maximize potential. The program emphasizes health and wellness, character development and life skills and provides players with the opportunity to learn the game from coaches with professional, collegiate and international experience. More than 150 NBA Academy student-athletes have represented the national team at various levels, more than 100 have attended or are committed to NCAA Division I schools in the United States, and more than 40 have played, played or signed professionally, including 15 who advanced to the NBA.
The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025, presented by ADQ, saw two sold-out preseason games between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers on October 2 and 4 at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island. The game is a preseason NBA global game, Jr. It was part of a multi-year collaboration between the NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi, featuring NBA/Jr. WNBA Abu Dhabi League, a variety of interactive fan events featuring appearances by current and former NBA players, NBA 2K League exhibition event, Jr. NBA/Jr. Series, etc. are ongoing. WNBA and NBA Cares clinics promote health and wellness while teaching the fundamentals of the sport and instilling core values including teamwork, respect and sportsmanship.
NBA games have been televised in the UAE since the 1987-88 season. Starting in 2022, eight NBA teams have played preseason games in Abu Dhabi. According to YouGov research, since the first NBA Abu Dhabi Games, basketball participation has increased by 60% in the UAE and the domestic basketball fan base has increased by more than 25%.
Fans can follow the NBA on Instagram and X Get the latest updates, news and Arabic content from (@NBAArabic). NBA fans in the UAE and across the Middle East can purchase the largest selection of official NBA merchandise in the region by shopping online at NBAStoreME.com and the NBA Store at Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi.
