NBA Abu Dhabi Partnership Extension Expands Global Academy Plans and Deepens Middle East Basketball Growth

The NBA announced a major breaking update Thursday, extending its long term partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism and confirming plans to continue preseason games in the Middle East while launching a new NBA Global Academy in the United Arab Emirates capital.

The agreement represents a nine year extension of the existing relationship, though financial terms were not disclosed. Based on comparable international sports hosting agreements in the region, the deal is widely viewed as one of the most significant global partnerships in league history. The extension reinforces Abu Dhabi’s growing role in the NBA’s international strategy at a time when the league and FIBA are also exploring the launch of a new professional competition in Europe.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said the partnership strengthens the emirate’s position as a global basketball destination while supporting youth development, economic diversification, and international visibility. Al Mubarak is also closely connected to the region’s broader sports investment ecosystem, which includes Manchester City and major arena developments tied to future NBA events.

The NBA has held preseason games in Abu Dhabi in each of the past four seasons, with Milwaukee and Atlanta playing in 2022, Dallas and Minnesota in 2023, Boston and Denver in 2024, and New York and Philadelphia during the 2025 preseason. USA Basketball has also used Abu Dhabi as a preparation site ahead of recent international competitions, including the 2023 FIBA World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics. With the next World Cup scheduled for 2027 in Qatar, the latest timeline suggests Abu Dhabi is likely to remain a key hub for international basketball activity.

According to league data cited from YouGov research, basketball participation in the UAE has increased by 60 percent since the NBA began regular preseason visits in 2022, while the local basketball fan base has grown by more than 25 percent. NBA games have been broadcast in the UAE for nearly four decades, but the recent in person presence has accelerated grassroots and commercial growth across the region.

NBA deputy commissioner and chief operating officer Mark Tatum said the collaboration has played a central role in expanding participation and fandom throughout the Middle East. He noted that the extension reflects shared goals around development, access, and long term investment in the sport.

A centerpiece of the agreement is the creation of a new NBA Global Academy in Abu Dhabi, which will serve as the worldwide hub for the NBA Academy program. The facility is expected to operate year round and provide elite basketball and academic development for top high school age players from the UAE, the Middle East, and other regions. The league also confirmed that the academy will include basketball development programming for local girls, expanding access beyond its primary boys pathway.

The impact of the announcement extends beyond preseason exhibitions. As the NBA evaluates new markets, potential European expansion, and future regular season games outside North America, Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure, investment backing, and growing basketball culture position it as a long term strategic partner.

What this means moving forward is continued visibility for the NBA in the Middle East, expanded player development pipelines, and a clearer outlook on how global academies and international events fit into the league’s next phase of growth. The next steps will include formal academy timelines, additional preseason scheduling announcements, and further clarity on how Abu Dhabi aligns with the NBA’s evolving global competition plans.