The NBA returns to Abu Dhabi with the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers. International expansion with games in China and Australia is also planned.
The NBA will be represented again on the Persian Gulf in the coming season.
As the league announced on Thursday, the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers will play two preparatory games in Abu Dhabi on October 2 and 4. This marks the fourth year in a row, in which the NBA, which signed a contract with the tourism authorities in Abu Dhabi in 2021, issues its preseason games there.
Abu Dhabi: Proven location for the NBA
The Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks were already guests in Abu Dhabi in 2022, followed by the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves in 2023. The Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets also opened the Preseason 2024 in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The US national team also visited Abu Dhabi for games in the run-up to the 2023 World Cup in the Philippines and the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
NBA continues to expand internationally
Abu Dhabi is the third international Preseason location that the NBA has announced for the coming season. In addition to the games in the United Arab Emirates, the league plans to visit China – for the first time in six years.
Australia will also be part of the international tour. The New Orleans Pelicans travel to Melbourne to compete against Melbourne United on October 3 and on October 5 against South East Melbourne Phoenix. This will be a premiere for the NBA.
In China, the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns will compete against each other in the Macao gaming center, on October 10th and 12th. These encounters are part of the NBA’s efforts to further expand their international presence.