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NBA, DCT Abu Dhabi renew contract to bring more pre-season games
The long-term extension will also bring additional youth development and fan programming to Abu Dhabi and surrounding communities for years to come
- PUBLISHED: Mon 26 Jan 2026, 12:36 PM
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The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced an extension of their existing collaboration that will feature preseason NBA Global Games, expanded marketing activities, and the launch of an NBA Global Academy in the UAE capital.
The long-term extension will also bring additional youth development and fan programming to Abu Dhabi and surrounding communities for years to come.
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NBA Global Academy, which will be based in Abu Dhabi and serve as the global hub for the league’s NBA Academy programme, will be a year-round elite basketball development and academic programme for top high-school-age student-athletes from the UAE, the Middle East and around the world.
The academy will include elite development programming for up to 20 local boys, basketball development activities for local girls and residential programming for up to 24 male prospects from the rest of the world.
“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,” said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi.
“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.
"Beyond bringing world-class sporting events to our capital, the NBA’s youth programmes and grassroots initiatives encourage healthy, active lifestyles and connect our residents to the universal values of sport. This multiyear commitment reflects Abu Dhabi’s ambition to be a hub for culture, entertainment and excellence, for both our residents and visitors alike.”
Additional details about future NBA preseason games in Abu Dhabi, including the schedule and participating teams, will be announced at a later date.
