The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) have announced an extension to their existing partnership that will feature preseason NBA Global Games, expanded marketing activities, and the launch of an NBA Global Academy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital. Additionally, the long-term extension will bring additional youth development and fan programming to Abu Dhabi and surrounding communities for many years ahead.
The NBA Global Academy, based in Abu Dhabi, will serve as the global hub for the league’s NBA Academy program, a year-round elite basketball development and academic scheme for top high-school-age student-athletes from the UAE, the Middle East and around the world.
“The establishment of the NBA Global Academy in Abu Dhabi will open pathways for Emirati and UAE-based athletes, coaches and sports professionals to learn from the world’s best, while our long-term hosting of the NBA Global Games will inspire the next generation,” said HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi.
The extended collaboration between the NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi will also involve the expansion of youth development programming, including plans to expand from the four existing Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA leagues in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Region to six leagues this autumn and 12 leagues by 2028.
Additional details about future NBA preseason games in Abu Dhabi, including the schedule and participating teams, will be announced at a later date, said the NBA in a statement. NBA games have aired in the UAE since the 1987-88 season. Eight NBA teams have played preseason games in Abu Dhabi since 2022.
