Only a few weeks to go until the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024 kick off! This first-of-its-kind basketball event in the Middle East has made a place for itself on the NBA pre-season calendar.
History of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games
The NBA Abu Dhabi Games came into being in 2022. For the first edition, two NBA teams from the Eastern Conference faced off in Abu Dhabi. They were the Milwaukee Bucks and the Atlanta Hawks. The match-up produced two exciting encounters. The first game went in favor of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray’s Hawks. They won 123-113. The second meeting between the two rivals also ended in victory for Atlanta. The Georgia-based NBA franchise was too strong against a team missing its best player. Greek superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo was indeed rested for this second game in three days.In 2023, it was two NBA franchises from the Western Conference who challenged each other: the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Frenchman Rudy Gobert’s team won twice. The first victory was 111-99. The second game, meanwhile, ended with an 8-point gap (104-96).
Two NBA games in Abu Dhabi in 2024
In 2024, it’s the 2023 NBA champions and the 2022 finalists who will face off in Abu Dhabi as part of the NBA pre-season. The Denver Nuggets and the Boston Cetlics have been chosen for this tour. Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic will also be taking part! The double confrontation will take place on October 4 and 6, 2024.Tickets for the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024
The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024 ticketing for the two games scheduled for October 4 and 6, 2024 is now open.Ticket prices
As the two games in Abu Dhabi are simple exhibition games, the prices charged will be lower than most regular-season NBA games. In 2022, the minimum price for a seat in the arena was 51 euros. The highest ticket price was 2,625 euros. A similar pricing policy is expected for the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024. For this third edition, it is nevertheless possible that the prices charged will be revised slightly upwards.The mutual love between the NBA and Abu Dhabi
As part of its internationalization strategy, the NBA is looking to increase its presence in the Middle East. And more specifically in the United Arab Emirates. An NBA boutique was inaugurated in Abu Dhabi in 2018. The Big League also regularly organizes several basketball events and community development initiatives in the region. These include the Junior Abu Dhabi League, NBA FIT clinics, NBA Cares actions and mini-internships. Several NBA players have taken part in these youth basketball camps.The UAE, of which Abu Dhabi is the capital, is showing increasing interest in basketball. The sport is growing in popularity. There is therefore a mutual interest in developing more formal links between the NBA and Abu Dhabi.
In addition to the NBA games, the US national team also played two friendly matches in the summer of 2023. This was part of their preparations for the World Cup. The operation will be repeated in July 2024, with a Team USA-Australia and Team USA-Serbia double-header scheduled for July 15 and 17. That’s 10 days before the Olympic Games…