UAE will host two NBA preseason games next year / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: USA Today Sports – Scanpix Credit USA Today Sports – Scanpix

On Tuesday NBA announced that the first NBA games in the United Arab Emirates will take place next preseason.

The NBA and the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi have agreed to a multi-year partnership, starting with two preseason matches next year.

The two exhibition contests will take place in Abu Dhabi in October 2022. The participating NBA teams and host venue will be announced later.

"Hosting NBA and NBA 2K League games and events in Abu Dhabi builds on our commitment to growing basketball around the world," NBA deputy commissioner and chief operating officer Mark Tatum said.

"Through this partnership, we will bring the authentic NBA experience to fans in the UAE and support basketball development in the region by providing more opportunities for young boys and girls to learn and play the game."

According to ESPN, this will not be the first time NBA games are played in the Middle East. Four NBA teams have previously played in six exhibition games in Tel Aviv, Israel.

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