Latest news with #NBAAbuDhabiGames
Al Etihad
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025: Tickets on sale for fans to see Knicks and 76ers
3 July 2025 23:29 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the NBA have announced that tickets sales for this year's NBA Abu Dhabi Games are open to the general 2025 edition, presented by ADQ, will feature the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers playing preseason games on October 2 and 4 (Thursday and Saturday respectively) at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island. Tickets are available on the venue's website ( and the platform Special ticket packages offering premium access, VIP experiences and hospitality are also available for purchase at Knicks will feature two-time NBA All-Star Jalen Brunson, five-time NBA All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns and 2022 NBA All-Defensive first-team member Mikal Bridges. Bridges and Brunson previously played in Abu Dhabi as members of the USA Basketball men's team in preparation for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Towns participated in The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023 as a member of the Minnesota 76ers feature 2023 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player and seven-time NBA All-Star Joel Embiid, nine-time NBA All-Star Paul George and 2024 NBA All-Star Tyrese Maxey. Embiid also played in Abu Dhabi as a member of the American national men's team before heading off to the 2024 Olympic Games in NBA Abu Dhabi Games will air live in the UAE, across the Middle East and around the world, reaching fans in more than 200 countries and territories through television, digital media, and social NBA Abu Dhabi Games are part of a multi-year collaboration between the NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi that features preseason NBA Global Games, youth development programming that has reached nearly 20,000 participants since 2022, interactive fan events featuring appearances by current and former NBA and WNBA players, an NBA 2K League exhibition event, and NBA Cares social impact programming focused on health, wellness, and sustainability. Fans can follow the NBA on Instagram and X (@NBAArabic) for the latest updates, news and content in Arabic, and also shop online for merchandise at and at the NBA Store at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi.
What's On
03-07-2025
- Sport
- What's On
NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 tickets are now on sale
The NBA is making a slam dunk return to the capital this October, and you can now lock in your seats for one of the biggest sporting events of the year. The NBA Abu Dhabi Games will see the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers face off in two action packed preseason games at Etihad Arena on Thursday, October 2 and Saturday, October 4. Tickets are officially on sale now via and Big names, big match-ups This year's lineup is stacked. The Knicks come armed with stars like Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mikal Bridges, all of whom have made waves with USA Basketball in previous Abu Dhabi appearances. But they'll have stiff competition in the 76ers, who are bringing the heat with Joel Embiid, the 2023 MVP, plus Paul George and rising star Tyrese Maxey. Expect high-energy showdowns, jaw-dropping plays, and plenty of fanfare. Want VIP treatment? For those looking to upgrade their experience, special ticket packages with premium access, VIP hospitality, and behind-the-scenes perks are available at More than just a game The NBA Abu Dhabi Games are part of a multiyear partnership between the NBA and the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi. Beyond the games themselves, expect community events, youth basketball clinics, player meet-and-greets, and even NBA 2K League activations to get the city buzzing with hoops fever. The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 will air live in the UAE, across the Middle East and around the world, reaching fans in more than 200 countries, so you can count on Abu Dhabi once again becoming a global basketball hotspot. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just in it for the hype, this is your chance to see basketball's biggest names live on court right here in the UAE. Tickets are expected to go fast so don't drop the ball. Location: Etihad Arena, Yas Island Times: 8pm, October 2 and 4, 2025 Contact: and Let the countdown begin. ⏳ Image: Supplied > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Arab News
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Lucky number 3? 76ers bring V.J. Edgecombe to Abu Dhabi as a new era dawns
DUBAI: For the Philadelphia 76ers, the No. 3 pick in the NBA Draft has proven to be a lucky number. It was at No. 3 in 2014 that the Sixers selected Joel Embiid, a decision that reshaped the franchise. Embiid went on to become the face of the team and the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 2023. More than a decade later, Philadelphia is again looking to strike gold at No. 3 with the selection of V.J. Edgecombe, made during last night's NBA Draft. The Sixers are expected to bring the new addition to the international stage in October when they head to Abu Dhabi for two preseason games. The National Basketball Association and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi have officially announced that The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 presented by ADQ will feature the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers. The two teams will meet on Thursday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 4 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. These games will offer Philadelphia an opportunity to test their revamped lineup and start building chemistry for the upcoming season. More importantly, it is a chance to see if Edgecombe can continue the Sixers' No. 3 draft tradition of finding franchise-changing talent. Edgecombe, selected third overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, arrives in Philadelphia with high expectations. Many believed the Sixers would trade out of their draft position, but when top prospects Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper were taken early, and Ace Bailey canceled his workout, Philadelphia stayed put and took the dynamic guard from Baylor. At just 19 years old, Edgecombe brings elite athleticism, strong defensive instincts, and plenty of long-term potential. He averaged 15 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists during his freshman season and is known for his explosive finishes at the rim and impact in transition. While his shot creation still needs development, his energy and defensive presence make him a key addition to the Sixers' backcourt. Edgecombe also carries deep Bahamian pride. 'It's crazy because my island is only seven miles long. I don't think anyone on that island would dream of playing in the NBA, let alone making it. It would just sound so crazy, being able to make it. I'm just truly blessed to be in that position.' he said. Edgecombe believes he will complement the Sixers' lineup well. 'I feel like I'll be able to play off them,' Edgecombe said. 'They're great players. Embiid is the MVP of the league … I just feel like I fit in well with them. And even coach (Nick) Nurse. He's a defensive-minded coach. And I feel like I play a lot of defense.' The Abu Dhabi Games will give Philadelphia the chance to test their chemistry and rotations in a high-profile international setting, while giving Edgecombe valuable time to play off the 76ers' stars and build his defensive presence, as they face the Knicks, who reached the Eastern Conference Finals this year but fell short against the Indiana Pacers in a tough six-game series. With history on their side and team chemistry still taking shape, the No. 3 pick could again define Philadelphia's future and push them closer to championship contention.
Newsweek
18-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Why Is the NBA Partnering With the UAE and Rwanda? Both Are Accused of Fueling Massive Humanitarian Crises
As the National Basketball Association (NBA) playoffs heat up, there is much to be excited about regarding the league's future. Television ratings are up, multiple young stars compete to be the next face of the league, and partnerships with other countries are deepening, opening doors to new audiences and corporate sponsorships. On the surface, these kinds of arrangements seem like a win-win for everyone. NBA spokespeople point to the NBA's investment in youth basketball leagues and clinics in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Rwanda, as well as to basketball infrastructure like courts and arenas. Front view of the NBA store on 5th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Front view of the NBA store on 5th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Getty Images The UAE has invested heavily in the NBA, fully sponsoring the in-season tournament now called the Emirates NBA Cup in a deal reportedly worth $500 million. The UAE also hosts the annual preseason NBA Abu Dhabi Games, with the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers slated to appear in October 2025. Meanwhile, Rwanda has been a lynchpin for the Basketball Africa League (BAL), the NBA's first professional basketball league outside of North America. The Rwandan government pays several million dollars to the NBA to host the BAL playoffs in its new arena in the capital of Kigali, as well as to be a general sponsor of the league. Probe beneath the surface of what else these two governments are involved in, however, and another story emerges. The UAE and Rwanda are presently sponsoring deadly rebel groups in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), respectively, directly fueling two of the largest humanitarian crises in the world. Nearly 20 million people have been displaced from their homes in these two conflicts. In Sudan, the UAE is backing the insurgent Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a militia that the United States in January determined committed genocide and that now controls wide swathes of the country, thanks to generous military support from the Emirates. As Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the Senate in his confirmation hearing, "In part of our engagement with the UAE, we need to raise the fact that they are openly supporting an entity that is carrying out a genocide [in Sudan]." In the DRC, Rwanda invaded with up to 12,000 troops in January and since 2022 has militarily supported the M23 militia, which has taken over wide swathes of eastern DRC. The human costs of these conflicts is staggering, with 12 million people displaced in Sudan and 8 million in the DRC, 30 million in need of emergency aid in Sudan and 28 million in the DRC, and thousands of child soldiers in both conflicts. The UAE and Rwanda are benefiting financially from these military interventions, with billions of dollars of illicit gold flowing from Sudan and the DRC. The Emirates imported $1 billion in gold from Sudan in 2023, and Sudan's largest mine is controlled by a UAE company linked to the royal family. In 2024, over $1.5 billion in gold was exported from Rwanda, including large amounts of conflict gold from the DRC. A Rwandan-backed militia also controls a large DRC critical minerals mine and smuggles the mineral into Rwanda. The UAE and Rwanda's partnerships with the NBA represent the very definition of sportswashing, wherein governments involved in heinous atrocities distract attention from their crimes by investing in sports teams and leagues around the world in exchange for good publicity. Today, no one from the NBA has spoken out about the human crises directly fueled by partners of the NBA. Perhaps there is simply too much money at stake. Yet given the league and many of its most prominent players' presence in social justice efforts, their silence around the violence being fueled by Rwanda and the UAE is all the more deafening. Recognizing this contradiction, U.S. senators from both parties joined together last year and wrote to the NBA, saying the league "has long positioned itself as a beacon of social justice" but has instead continued "developing relationships with dictators and despots," including Rwandan President Paul Kagame. As the NBA's association with partners who enact extraordinary human rights abuses becomes clearer, the ideal response from the league would be to cancel these relationships. Some NBA stars who have spoken out so forcefully in support of social justice causes in the U.S. could start asking questions about what the UAE and Rwanda are doing in Sudan and the DRC and shine a spotlight on the suffering of Sudanese and Congolese people. Sportswashing is all about deflecting attention away from horrors like those being perpetrated in Sudan, especially Darfur, and the eastern DRC. But if upstanding NBA players with truly global platforms redirect attention toward the massive suffering being inflicted, perhaps it would begin to affect the calculations of those responsible. John Prendergast is co-founder of The Sentry, an investigative and policy organization that seeks to disrupt predatory networks that benefit from conflict, repression, and kleptocracy. Sasha Lezhnev is senior policy advisor at The Sentry. The views expressed in this article are the writers' own.
Sport360
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Sport360
Calling all sports fans: Eight must-see sporting events in Abu Dhabi this year
From thrilling F1 championship finales to world-class basketball and combat sports, Abu Dhabi has firmly established itself as a leading global sports hub. With world-class venues, record-breaking crowds and a year-round calendar of elite events, the emirate continues to raise the bar for sports fans across the globe. There's never been a better time to experience sport in the UAE capital, so here's a look at some of the biggest sporting events you won't want to miss in 2025 – all available to book, explore and learn more via Abu Dhabi Calendar . UFC Fight Night July 26 | Etihad Arena, Yas Island Abu Dhabi has , and this year's Fight Night promises another stacked card of global MMA talent. Fans can expect thrilling finishes, breakout performances, and the signature electric atmosphere of Yas Island. NBA Abu Dhabi Games October 2-4 | Etihad Arena, Yas Island The NBA returns to the capital for another electrifying showdown at Etihad Arena. Expect sold-out crowds, star-studded line-ups, and courtside action as two top-tier teams go head-to-head in the Middle East's premier basketball showcase. UFC 308 October 25 | Etihad Arena, Yas Island Another thrilling Abu Dhabi Showdown Week is set for the UAE capital, with a championship bout and full roster set to be announced. Stay tuned for announcements nearer the time, but it's sure to be another electirifying night of elite MMA action. Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship November 6-9 | Yas Links Abu Dhabi Part of the prestigiousthis golf tournament attracts the sport's biggest names for four days of fierce competition at Yas Links Abu Dhabi. With dramatic fairways and picturesque greens, it's the perfect blend of skill and spectacle. Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship November 6-16 | Mubadala Arena Hosted at the state-of-the-art Mubadala Arena, this flagship event draws the world's top Jiu-Jitsu athletes. With thousands of competitors and a global audience, it's a celebration of discipline, strategy, and strength. Formula 1® Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix December 4-7 | Yas Marina Circuit The season finale of the F1 calendar returns to Yas Marina Circuit, where championship dreams are made (or broken). From the roar of the engines to the glamour of the after-race concerts, it's a bucket-list experience for motorsport fans. ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon December 13 | Abu Dhabi City Thousands will take to the streets of Abu Dhabi for the annual marathon, with distances for elite runners and casual joggers alike. The route showcases the capital's scenic landmarks, creating a race that's as beautiful as it is competitive. World Tennis League December 19-22 | Etihad Arena, Yas Island Where music meets match point. The World Tennis League returns with a star-studded roster of tennis legends and live performances from global artists, creating one of the most entertaining events on the calendar. Stay up to date and book your tickets via Abu Dhabi Calendar.
