The NBA and Sands China have announced a multiyear collaboration to bring the NBA China Games to Macao beginning in 2025.

The National Basketball Association and Sands China have announced a multiyear collaboration to bring the NBA China Games to Macao, beginning in 2025 when the Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns will play two preseason games on Friday, Oct. 10, and Sunday, Oct. 12, at The Venetian Arena.

The NBA and Sands will conduct interactive fan activities, NBA Cares community outreach initiatives and lifestyle events that will extend the NBA experience to fans in Macao throughout the year. An NBA Fan Day during the week of the games will feature celebrity performances and the opportunity to watch the teams, celebrities and influencers participate in on-court activities and skills competitions.

Ahead of the games, an NBA Flagship Store will open at The Londoner® Macao and provide fans in Macao and visiting from around the world with a wide range of authentic and customizable NBA merchandise from major brands such as Nike, Mitchell & Ness, New Era, Wilson and NBA Kids.

“Bringing preseason games to Macao will showcase the excitement of the NBA to fans in one of the world’s emerging hubs for sports,” NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum said. “The Nets and the Suns feature an exciting mix of established and rising stars, and we look forward to engaging fans, aspiring players and the local community in Macao through these games and a variety of interactive events, youth development programs and social impact initiatives.”

Sands hosted an event at The Londoner Arena on December 6 in Macao where the announcement was made by NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum, Las Vegas Sands President and Chief Operating Officer and Dallas Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont, and Sands China Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Grant Chum. Joining them on stage were Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment Global Executive Vice President of Global Partnerships Catherine Carlson, Phoenix Suns Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Dan Costello, and NBA Legends Ray Allen, DeMarcus Cousins, Stephon Marbury, Tracy McGrady, Cuttino Mobley and Tony Parker.

“NBA basketball is a global sport that attracts people of different ages, backgrounds and cultures,” Las Vegas Sands President and Chief Operating Officer and Dallas Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont said. “It creates exciting experiences that connect people while playing a positive role in communities. Sands is honored to bring the NBA China Games to Macao so that the most elite level of basketball can be experienced directly by the fans who are so passionate about it. We look forward to welcoming the NBA to Macao next October.”

The Nets currently feature 2023 FIBA World Cup gold medalist Dennis Schröder (Germany), 2023 USA Basketball Men’s National Team member Cam Johnson (U.S.) and three-time NBA All-Star Ben Simmons (Australia). The Suns currently feature four-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant (U.S.), two-time Olympic gold medalist and four-time NBA All-Star Devin Booker (U.S.), and three-time NBA All-Star Bradley Beal (U.S.).

The NBA China Games 2025 presented by 88VIP will reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories on television, digital media and social media. Ticket sales information will be announced at a later date.

In addition to presenting partner 88VIP, the games and surrounding events will be supported by a roster of marketing partners, including Ant International, Ctrip, Mengniu, Nike and Tissot. Sands China, the Official Integrated Resort Partner of NBA China, will serve as the Official Promoter of the games.

“Today’s announcement marks the beginning of an exciting multiyear collaboration between Sands China and the NBA,” Sands China Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Grant Chum said. “We are thrilled to be bringing The NBA China Games to Macao and to create opportunities for basketball fans from around the world to celebrate the best of sports. This association reflects Sands China’s commitment to delivering exceptional experiences to our guests and our local community by providing a diverse spectrum of sports and lifestyle events throughout the year.”

The NBA collaboration is one of the many sports partnerships and endeavors Sands brings to its communities, and a key priority for the company’s sports initiatives is creating unique events and opportunities to inspire and develop young people. In line with this focus, Sands China and the Yao Foundation hosted a basketball clinic at Hou Kong Middle School in Taipa the day before the Sands-NBA announcement.

Former professional basketball star and foundation founder Yao Ming was in attendance as students participated in skills development exercises and played a game with former Chinese women’s basketball player Zhao Shuang and street basketball player Wu You. The basketball stars along with former Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) coach Liu Tie and former China national men’s basketball team assistant coach Li Ke provided training tips for youth participants throughout the event.

The youth basketball clinic was part of Sands China’s celebration of the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland and supported the local government’s efforts to establish the city as a major sports destination.

As one of the world’s leading hospitality companies, Sands is at the intersection of travel and tourism with sports, entertainment and culture. The company’s integrated resorts leverage sports partnerships and programs to provide unique experiences for guests, drive tourism, promote its regions on a global stage and engage with local communities.