NBA Signs Deal To Play Preseason Games In Abu Dhabi
Nov 16, 2021, 9:54 AM
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 05: A general view of the city skyline at sunset from Dhow Harbour on February 5, 2015 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and the second most populous city after Dubai with a population of around two million people. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
(Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The NBA is bringing two preseason games to Abu Dhabi next season, marking the first time the league will play in the Arabian Gulf.
The games will be in October 2022. The exact dates and the teams involved have not been announced.
The NBA will be in Abu Dhabi next season. More in @espn here: https://t.co/1fAZW1Z2GT
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) November 16, 2021
No preseason games have been played outside of North America since 2019 because of the pandemic, though the league has said for months it was targeting a return to overseas games in 2022.
“Abu Dhabi is a vibrant multicultural hub with a demonstrated track record of hosting world-class sporting events,” said NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum, who was in Abu Dhabi to sign the league’s multiyear agreement with tourism officials there.
