NBA and Abu Dhabi Extend Strategic Partnership to Elevate Basketball Presence in the UAE

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) have formalised a long-term extension of their collaboration, setting the stage for expanded NBA engagement in the Middle East’s burgeoning sports market. The renewed partnership pledges annual NBA Global Games, enhanced grassroots programmes, and the launch of an NBA Global Academy based in the UAE capital.

This multiyear deal builds on an existing relationship that has seen Abu Dhabi host high-profile NBA preseason games since 2022, drawing international teams and sold-out crowds to Etihad Arena on Yas Island. Under the extension, preseason NBA Global Games will continue to be a feature of the UAE’s sporting calendar, while additional fan programming and youth development initiatives will deepen the league’s footprint across the region.

Central to the partnership’s expansion is the NBA Global Academy, which will become the league’s premier development and education hub for elite high-school age prospects. The Academy will offer year-round basketball training, academic support, and residential programmes for up to 24 international athletes, alongside tailored development activities for local Emirati and UAE-based players of all genders.

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, framed the agreement as a strategic asset in positioning the emirate as a global hub for culture, entertainment, and athletic excellence. “Extending our partnership with the NBA further strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as the new home of basketball in the Middle East,” Al Mubarak said, emphasising the collaboration’s role in inspiring youth, enhancing community engagement, and showcasing the emirate’s global ambitions.

NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum also highlighted the league’s commitment to broadening basketball participation both locally and internationally. Tatum pointed to the partnership’s impact in growing fan engagement and participation in the UAE and surrounding markets, noting that the expanded scope of Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA programmes are set  to reach thousands more young athletes in the coming years.

Additional announcements will provide details on future NBA Global Games lineups, scheduling, and integration with complementary fan experiences. With youth clinics, community events, and expanded media outreach included in the agreement, the NBA-Abu Dhabi partnership is poised to be a major catalyst in the region’s sporting evolution.