Abu Dhabi will host the first NBA games in the region as part of the Department of Culture and Tourism's (DCT) multi-year partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA).
The first two pre-season games will be played in October 2022 with the participating teams and host venue to be announced at a later date.
The partnership will also include a variety of interactive fan events featuring appearances by current and former NBA players as well as Junior NBA Leagues for boys and girls at schools across the Emirates.
Other highlights include an NBA 2K League exhibition event and a series of NBA Fit Clinics promoting health and wellness.
The partnership will also see DCT Abu Dhabi, under 'Visit Abu Dhabi' serve as the Official Tourism Destination Partner of the NBA in China, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
"Today’s announcement further demonstrates the emirate’s position as a top-tier home for global sports and for attracting the very best talent," said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at DCT Abu Dhabi.
"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," added Mark Tatum, NBA's Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer.
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
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