Today, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced an extension of their current partnership that will include the opening of an NBA Global Academy in the UAE capital, increased marketing efforts, and preseason NBA Global Games.
For many years to come, Abu Dhabi and the neighboring communities will benefit from more youth development and fan programming thanks to the long-term extension.
Top high school-age student-athletes from the United Arab Emirates, the Middle East, and throughout the world will have access to a year-round premier basketball development and academic program at NBA worldwide Academy, which will be based in Abu Dhabi and act as the worldwide headquarters for the league’s NBA Academy program.
The school will offer residential programming for up to 24 male prospects from across the world, basketball development activities for local ladies, and elite development training for up to 20 local boys.
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According to HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, “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.”
“Our long-term hosting of the NBA Global Games will inspire the next generation, and the establishment of the NBA Global Academy in Abu Dhabi will open doors for Emirati and UAE-based athletes, coaches, and sports professionals to learn from the world’s best.”
In addition to delivering top-notch athletic events to our city, the NBA’s grassroots projects and youth programs promote active, healthy lifestyles and introduce our citizens to the global ideals of sport.
Abu Dhabi’s goal to become a center for excellence, culture, and entertainment for both locals and tourists is reflected in this multiyear commitment.
NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum stated, “Our partnership with DCT Abu Dhabi has been instrumental in growing basketball participation and fandom in the UAE and across the Middle East.”
“In the years to come, we look forward to building on those efforts, including the establishment of an NBA Global Academy that will help develop elite-level players from the region and around the world.”
The schedule and participating teams for upcoming NBA preseason games in Abu Dhabi will be revealed at a later time.
Through the partnership, DCT Abu Dhabi will once again serve as the NBA’s Official Tourism Destination Partner in the Middle East, China, and Europe through its destination brand Experience Abu Dhabi. Additionally, the partnership will expand to include Africa, Asia, Canada, and Latin America.
The expansion of youth development programs, which have reached over 20,000 boys and girls since 2022, is another aspect of the extended partnership between DCT Abu Dhabi and the NBA. There are plans to grow from the four current Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA leagues in Abu Dhabi and the Al Ain Region to six leagues this fall and twelve leagues by 2028.
The 2025 NBA Academy Showcase in Abu Dhabi, which took place at the NYU Abu Dhabi campus from September 25–27, featured top high school-age players from four elite basketball programs: NBA Academy Africa (Senegal), IMG Academy (U.S.), INSEP (France), and the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence. Abu Dhabi will also host two annual basketball tournaments featuring top youth and elite players from around the world.
The NBA Academy program offers players a predictable route to reach their full potential and a comprehensive approach to player development.
In addition to providing participants with the chance to study the game from coaches with professional, college, and international experience, the program places a strong emphasis on health and wellbeing, character development, and life skills.
More than 40 student-athletes have played, are playing, or have signed to play professionally, including 15 who have advanced to the NBA; more than 150 NBA Academy student-athletes have represented their national teams at various levels; and more than 100 have committed to or attended NCAA Division I schools in the United States.
The New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers played two sold-out preseason games at Etihad Arena on Yas Island on October 2 and October 4 as part of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 presented by ADQ.
The preseason NBA Global Games, the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Abu Dhabi League, a number of interactive fan events with appearances by current and former NBA players, an NBA 2K League exhibition event, and a series of Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA and NBA Cares clinics that promote health and wellness while teaching the fundamentals of the sport and instilling core values like teamwork, respect, and sportsmanship were all part of the multiyear partnership between the NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi.
Since the 1987–88 season, NBA games have been broadcast in the United Arab Emirates. Since 2022, eight NBA teams have been to Abu Dhabi for preseason games.
According to YouGov research, the UAE’s basketball fan base has expanded by more than 25% and basketball participation has climbed by 60% since the first NBA Abu Dhabi Games.
For the most recent information, news, and content in Arabic, fans can follow the NBA on Instagram and X (@NBAArabic). For the largest assortment of official NBA gear in the area, NBA fans in the UAE and throughout the Middle East can purchase online at NBAStoreME.com and in the NBA Store at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi.
About Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism
The Department of Culture and tourist – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) promotes economic advancement, sustains the expansion of Abu Dhabi’s tourist and culture industries, and aids in the realization of Abu Dhabi’s broader international goals.
DCT Abu Dhabi aims to unite the ecosystem around a common vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver creative solutions, and use the best tools, policies, and systems to support the culture and tourism industries by collaborating with the organizations that define the emirate’s position as a top international destination.
The people, culture, and environment of the emirate shape DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision. We want to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s standing as a location of genuineness, creativity, and unmatched experiences, exemplified by its vibrant hospitality customs, innovative projects, and original ideas.
Please visit dct.gov.ae and visitabudhabi.ae for additional details regarding DCT Abu Dhabi and the location. Please visit inabudhabi.ae for the Abu Dhabi calendar.
Concerning the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization whose goal is to use the power of basketball to uplift and unite people everywhere.
With games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in more than 50 languages and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents, the NBA, which was founded around five professional sports leagues—the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League, and Basketball Africa League—has established a significant global presence.
A record 135 foreign players from a record-tying 43 countries were on NBA rosters at the beginning of the 2025–2026 season. NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App, and NBA League Pass are among the NBA’s digital assets.
With over 2.5 billion likes and followers worldwide across all leagues, teams, and player platforms, the NBA has built one of the biggest social media communities in the world.
NBA Cares, the NBA’s 20-year-old worldwide social impact program, promotes change in the areas of sustainability, civic engagement, social justice and inclusion, and health and wellness that affect fans and communities.
Get in touch with NBA EME Communications’ Catherine Hart at chart@nba.com or +44 7834 900390.
