Get Excited, NBA Fans! Here's Who's Playing at the Abu Dhabi Games 2025 🏀
NBA Preseason to Take Place in Abu Dhabi 2025, Confirmed Participating Teams Revealed for UAE Return
Gear up, basketball enthusiasts! The NBA is set to take over Abu Dhabi once again for the fourth year running, and we've got all the deets for you.
The games, scheduled for October 2nd and 4th, will be held at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. While the UAE has previously hosted the league for preseason matchups, the global sports league has also made its mark in Mexico and France during the regular season in recent years.
However, Human Rights Watch has accused the NBA of playing a part in the UAE "sportswashing" its controversial human rights record. Regardless, the action-packed hoops event will go on as planned.
In 2022, the inaugural NBA Abu Dhabi games showcased the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks. This year, get ready for an exciting matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks.
Several players from these teams have already experienced the thrill of playing in the region, with Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid and New York duo Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges representing the US men’s basketball team in the past. Five-time all-star Karl Anthony Towns also donned the Minnesota jersey in a previous Abu Dhabi game.
The Sixers Managing Partner, Josh Harris, shared his excitement about the event, discussing the organization’s commitment to connecting with new fans and representing Philadelphia in the vibrant UAE community.
Prepare to see some of the biggest names in basketball and beyond, as the event has previously attracted legendary players like Derek Fisher, Muggsy Bogues, Shaquille O'Neal, and musician 2 Chainz.
Moreover, the NBA is also expanding its youth development program to the region. Since the inception of the NBA Abu Dhabi games in 2022, the program has reached 20,000 participants. So, keep an eye out for the next generation of hoops talents! 🏀🙌♂️
[1] NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 Officially Announced
[2] NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 Schedule and Teams
[3] NBA Revamps Abu Dhabi Games Youth Development Program
- NBA fans in the UAE are eagerly anticipating the return of the league, with the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks set to clash in the Abu Dhabi Games 2025.
- October 2nd and 4th, 2025 will mark the fourth consecutive year the NBA is hosting games in Abu Dhabi at the Etihad Arena, following recent regular season appearances in Mexico and France.
- Despite controversies surrounding human rights in the UAE, the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 will move forward, showcasing a dynamic fusion of basketball, culture, and sports.
- Several players from the Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, and other teams have previously experienced playing in the region, including Joel Embiid, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and five-time all-star Karl Anthony Towns.
- As the NBA expands its youth development program to the region, thousands of participants benefit, with the goal of nurturing the next generation of hoops talents and cementing the NBA's presence in the vibrant sports culture of the UAE.
