NBA to convey extra video games to Abu Dhabi in prolonged partnership

The NBA and Abu Dhabi’s division of tradition and tourism introduced an extension of their partnership Thursday, with the league agreeing to proceed bringing preseason video games to the Middle East and the edges finishing talks to launch a brand new international academy within the United Arab Emirates’ capital for high boys’ gamers.

Financial phrases weren’t disclosed, although it is cheap to anticipate that the nine-year extension can be value nicely over $300 million — based mostly on how the DCT agreed to pay the EuroLeague a reported 25 million euros ($29.2 million) to host that league’s ultimate 4 final 12 months.

The extension comes at a time when the NBA and FIBA are working towards launching a brand new league in Europe, probably as early as subsequent 12 months. The DCT has deep ties to Manchester City, which is believed to be one of many franchises that has met with the NBA about the potential of bidding for a spot within the new basketball enterprise. Manchester City additionally has a stake within the Co-Op Live Arena, the place the NBA is bringing a regular-season recreation in 2027.

“Extending our partnership with the NBA further strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as the new home of basketball in the Middle East and reinforces our commitment to our youth, inspiring our community, diversifying the economy, and elevating the emirate’s standing as a global destination,” mentioned Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, the chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi.

He is the brother of Khaldoon Al Mubarak, who chairs Manchester City and is a high government with Mubadala, one among Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth funds.

The NBA has performed in Abu Dhabi in every of the previous 4 preseasons: Milwaukee and Atlanta went in 2022, Dallas and Minnesota went in 2023, Boston and Denver went in 2024, and New York and Philadelphia went within the 2025 preseason.

USA Basketball additionally visited Abu Dhabi for video games previous the 2023 Basketball World Cup within the Philippines and the 2024 Paris Olympics. It’s logical to anticipate that USA Basketball will return there in 2027 upfront of the following World Cup, which will likely be performed in Qatar.

NBA video games have aired within the UAE for practically 40 years, and the league, citing analysis supplied by YouGov, says “basketball participation has increased by 60% in the UAE and basketball’s fanbase in the country has grown by more than 25%” because the annual preseason journeys began in 2022.

“Our collaboration with DCT Abu Dhabi has been instrumental in growing basketball participation and fandom in the UAE and across the Middle East,” NBA deputy commissioner and chief working officer Mark Tatum mentioned.

The deliberate NBA Global Academy in Abu Dhabi will likely be thought-about the worldwide hub for the league’s NBA Academy program. The Abu Dhabi web site, the league mentioned, will function year-round and function an “elite basketball development and academic program for top high-school-age student-athletes from the UAE, the Middle East and around the world.” The academy may even have some basketball improvement actions for native women, the league mentioned.