Only a few weeks left with the kick off of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023! This unique basketball event in the Middle East has made a place for itself in the NBA pre-season calendar.
NBA Abu Dhabi Games History
NBA games in Abu Dhabi originated in 2022. Two NBA teams from the Eastern Conference faced each other in Abhu Dhabi. They are the Milwaukee Bucks and the Atlanta Hawks. This poster gave rise to two great confrontations. The first game turned in favor of the Hawks of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. The latter won with a score of 123 to 113. The second meeting between the two adversaries also ended in a victory for Atlanta. The Georgia-based NBA franchise was too strong against a team cut off from its best player. Greek superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has indeed been rested for this second game in three days.
Two NBA games in Abu Dhabi in 2023
In 2023, two franchises from the Western Conference will face each other in Abu Dhabi as part of the NBA pre-season. The Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves were chosen to perform on this tour. French basketball player Rudy Gobert will be there! The doubleheader will take place on October 5 and 7, 2023. Following their stay in the Middle East, the Mavericks will take on Real Madrid in the Spanish capital. Luka Doncic and his teammates will therefore spend a good part of their training camp abroad. This has something to delight their international fans!
NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023 Tickets
Tickets for the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023 are now available. Two games are scheduled. They will take place on October 5 and 7, 2023.
Ticket prices
Since the two games in Abu Dhabi are exhibition games only, the prices charged will be lower than most regular season NBA games. In 2022, you had to pay the minimum sum of 51 euros to afford a seat in the room. The highest ticket price was 2,625 euros. A similar pricing policy should apply for the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023. For this second edition, it is nevertheless possible that the prices charged will be revised slightly upwards.
Reciprocal 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 particularly in the United Arab Emirates. An NBA store was inaugurated in Abu Dhabi in 2018. The Great 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 participated in these youth basketball camps.
The UAE, of which Abu Dhabi is the capital, has a growing interest in basketball. The popularity of this sport is growing. So there is a mutual interest in developing more formal ties between the NBA and Abu Dhabi.
In addition to NBA games, the US national team will also play two friendlies this summer. And this, as part of their preparation for the 2023 World Cup.
