NBA, Abu Dhabi deepen collaboration on global basketball academy in UAE

L-R: Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman, DCT Abu Dhabi, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and NBA Legend Mark Jackson alongside local participants at a youth basketball development event in Abu Dhabi as part of the largest Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA week.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced the extension of their existing collaboration that will feature preseason NBA Global Games, expanded marketing activities, and the launch of an NBA Global Academy in the UAE capital.

The long-term extension will also bring additional youth development and fan programming to Abu Dhabi and surrounding communities for years to come.

NBA Global Academy, which will be based in Abu Dhabi and serve as the global hub for the league’s NBA Academy program, will be a year-round elite basketball development and academic program for top high-school-age student-athletes from the UAE, the Middle East and around the world.

Read also: Starters announced for 2026 NBA All-Star Game

“Extending our partnership with the NBA further strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as the new home of basketball in the Middle East and reinforces our commitment to our youth, inspiring our community, diversifying the economy, and elevating the emirate’s standing as a global destination,” Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman, DCT Abu Dhabi, stated.

The academy will include elite development programming for up to 20 local boys, basketball development activities for local girls and residential programming for up to 24 male prospects from the rest of the world.

“The establishment of the NBA Global Academy in Abu Dhabi will open pathways for Emirati and UAE-based athletes, coaches and sports professionals to learn from the world’s best, while our long-term hosting of the NBA Global Games will inspire the next generation,” Mark Tatum, NBA deputy commissioner and CEO, stated.

According to Tatum, the multiyear commitment reflects Abu Dhabi’s ambition to be a hub for culture, entertainment and excellence, both for residents and visitors alike.

Read also: The NBA and its African/Nigeria players for NBA Allstar Game 2026

“Our collaboration with DCT Abu Dhabi has been instrumental in growing basketball participation and fandom in the UAE and across the Middle East,” Tatum stated.

The collaboration will see DCT Abu Dhabi, through its destination brand Experience Abu Dhabi, once again serve as the Official Tourism Destination Partner of the NBA in the Middle East, China and Europe, while expanding the territories in the destination partnership to also include Africa, Asia Canada and Latin America.

The extended collaboration between DCT Abu Dhabi and the NBA will also feature the expansion of youth development programming that has reached more than 20,000 boys and girls since 2022, including plans to expand from the four existing Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA leagues in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Region to six leagues this fall and 12 leagues by 2028.

Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date