NBA, DCT Abu Dhabi NBA Global Academy in UAE capital

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) have announced a long-term extension of their collaboration that will bring preseason NBA Global Games, expanded youth and fan programming, and the launch of an NBA Global Academy in Abu Dhabi.

Under the renewed partnership, Abu Dhabi will host an NBA Global Academy that will serve as the global hub for the league’s NBA Academy program. The year-round elite basketball and academic development centre will cater to top high-school-age student-athletes from the UAE, the Middle East, and around the world.

The academy will offer elite development opportunities for up to 20 local boys, basketball development activities for local girls, and residential programs for up to 24 male prospects from outside the region.

“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 Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak.

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He added that the NBA Global Academy will create pathways for Emirati and UAE-based athletes, coaches, and sports professionals to learn from world-class expertise, while long-term hosting of NBA Global Games will inspire future generations and promote healthy, active lifestyles across communities.

NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum described the collaboration as pivotal to the sport’s growth in the region.

“Our collaboration with DCT Abu Dhabi has been instrumental in growing basketball participation and fandom in the UAE and across the Middle East,” Tatum said. “We look forward to building on those efforts, including through the launch of an NBA Global Academy that will help develop elite-level players from the region and around the world.”

Additional details regarding future NBA preseason games in Abu Dhabi, including schedules and participating teams, will be announced later.

As part of the agreement, DCT Abu Dhabi, through its destination brand Experience Abu Dhabi, will continue as the Official Tourism Destination Partner of the NBA in the Middle East, China, and Europe, with the partnership expanded to include Africa, Asia, Canada, and Latin America.

The collaboration will also expand youth development initiatives that have reached over 20,000 boys and girls since 2022. Plans are underway to grow the existing four Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA leagues in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain to six leagues this fall and 12 leagues by 2028.

Abu Dhabi will additionally host two annual youth basketball tournaments beginning with the 2025 NBA Academy Showcase, held from September 25–27 at NYU Abu Dhabi. The showcase featured elite programs including NBA Academy Africa (Senegal), IMG Academy (USA), INSEP (France), and Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence.

The NBA Academy program emphasizes holistic player development, focusing on education, health, character, and life skills. To date, more than 150 academy athletes have represented their national teams, over 100 have progressed to NCAA Division I programs, and more than 40 have played or signed professional contracts, including 15 who reached the NBA.

The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 presented by ADQ featured two sold-out preseason games between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers on October 2 and 4 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

NBA games have been broadcast in the UAE since the 1987–88 season. Since the inaugural NBA Abu Dhabi Games in 2022, basketball participation in the UAE has increased by 60%, while the sport’s fan base has grown by more than 25%, according to YouGov research.