The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 will mark the league’s first games in the United Arab Emirates and the Arabian Gulf.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) have announced that the Atlanta Hawks and the 2021 NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks will play two preseason games at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena on Thursday, 6 October and Saturday 8 October 2022.
Not only will the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 mark the league’s first games in the UAE, but tickets will go on sale this Thursday at 1pm at nbaevents.nba.com/abu-dhabi.
As part of the big announcement, the league has also named four-time NBA champion and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal as the official ambassador of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022. In this capacity, O’Neal – who was selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in October as the league tipped off its landmark 75th Anniversary Season – will attend the games, participate in youth development programming, and interact with local fans.
The Hawks currently feature two-time NBA All-Star Trae Young, 2020-21 NBA rebounding leader Clint Capela and 2018 NBA All-Rookie Second Team members John Collins and Bogdan Bogdanović. The Bucks currently feature two-time Kia NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, three-time NBA All-Star Khris Middleton and three-time NBA All-Defensive Team member Jrue Holiday.
“Bringing the Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks to Abu Dhabi in October is an important milestone in the NBA and basketball’s global growth. In addition to the games, we look forward to engaging fans through a variety of interactive events and giving back to the local community through NBA Cares initiatives and youth development clinics that will teach the sport and its values to young boys and girls,” said NBA Europe and Middle East Managing Director, Ralph Rivera.
The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 will be broadcast live in the UAE and across the Middle East and North Africa on beIN SPORTS, The Sports Channel and NBA League Pass, the league’s premium live game subscription service. The games will reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories around the world on television, digital media and social media.
The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 are part of a groundbreaking multiyear partnership between the NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi that earlier this year saw the launch of the first Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League, a youth basketball league for 450 boys and girls ages 11 to 14 from local schools across Abu Dhabi. The partnership also includes a series of interactive fan events featuring appearances by current and former NBA players, a series of NBA FIT clinics promoting health and wellness, and an NBA 2K League exhibition event at Middle East Film & Comic Con.
Tickets for The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 will go on sale at a later date. Fans can register their interest in receiving more information about The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022, including exclusive pre-sale access and additional benefits, by visiting NBA.com/AbuDhabi
DSCVR: NBA Abu Dhabi, Etihad Arena, Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. @etihadarena.ae
