Abu Dhabi Set to Become the New Hub for Elite Basketball Development as NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi Extend Their Partnership with Global Academy

Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as the next major center for elite basketball development following the extension of a strategic partnership between the NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi. This collaboration aims to establish a global basketball academy in the UAE capital, further cementing its role in nurturing top-tier talent. The new facility will provide world-class training and development for aspiring athletes, while enhancing the region’s status in the global sports landscape. With the NBA’s expertise and DCT Abu Dhabi’s support, the academy is set to attract international attention, contributing to both the growth of basketball in the Middle East and the city’s burgeoning reputation as a sports hub.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) have revealed an extension of their ongoing partnership, which will include NBA Global Games preseason events, expanded marketing initiatives, and the introduction of an NBA Global Academy in the UAE’s capital. This extended collaboration is set to bring long-term benefits to Abu Dhabi and surrounding communities, including enhanced youth development and fan engagement programs in the years ahead.

The NBA Global Academy, located in Abu Dhabi, will act as the central hub for the league’s NBA Academy program. It will offer a year-round, elite basketball development and educational opportunity for top high school student-athletes not just from the UAE and the Middle East, but from around the world. The academy will feature specialized development programs for up to 20 local male athletes, basketball initiatives for local female players, and residential programs for up to 24 male athletes from various international regions.

“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 HE 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 programs 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.”

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

Further details regarding upcoming NBA preseason games in Abu Dhabi, including the specific teams and game schedule, will be disclosed in the near future.

Through its Experience Abu Dhabi brand, DCT Abu Dhabi continues its role as the Official Tourism Destination Partner for the NBA across the Middle East, China, and Europe. The expanded partnership now also includes territories in Africa, Asia, Canada, and Latin America.

The strengthened collaboration between DCT Abu Dhabi and the NBA will include the growth of youth development initiatives. These programs, which have already impacted over 20,000 boys and girls since 2022, will see the addition of new Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA leagues in the region. Starting this fall, the existing four leagues in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain will grow to six, with plans for 12 leagues by 2028.

In addition to the expanded youth programming, Abu Dhabi will host two major annual basketball tournaments, bringing together top-tier youth and elite players from across the globe. The first of these events, the 2025 NBA Academy Showcase, took place from September 25-27 at the NYU Abu Dhabi campus. It featured standout high-school-age players from four prominent basketball academies: NBA Academy Africa (Senegal), IMG Academy (U.S.), INSEP (France), and the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence.

The NBA Academy program focuses on the holistic development of players, offering a clear pathway for young athletes to reach their full potential. It emphasizes health, wellness, character development, and life skills, all while providing access to top-tier coaching from professionals with collegiate, international, and professional experience. Over 150 NBA Academy graduates have represented their national teams, more than 100 have joined NCAA Division I schools in the U.S., and over 40 have gone on to play professionally, with 15 advancing to the NBA.

The 2025 NBA Abu Dhabi Games, presented by ADQ, featured two sold-out preseason games between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers on October 2 and 4 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. These games were part of a multiyear partnership between the NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi, which includes NBA Global Games, the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Abu Dhabi League, interactive fan events with NBA legends, an NBA 2K League exhibition, and numerous Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA and NBA Cares clinics. These clinics focus on promoting health, wellness, and the fundamentals of basketball while fostering core values like teamwork, respect, and sportsmanship.

Abu Dhabi is emerging as a new hub for elite basketball development, thanks to the extended partnership between the NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi. The collaboration will establish a global basketball academy in the city, providing world-class training for aspiring athletes. This move reinforces Abu Dhabi’s growing reputation as a key player in global sports development.

NBA games have been broadcast in the UAE since the 1987-88 season, with eight NBA teams having participated in preseason games in Abu Dhabi since 2022. Following the inaugural NBA Abu Dhabi Games, basketball participation in the UAE has risen by 60%, and the sport’s fan base has grown by over 25%, according to YouGov research.

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