Overview

• The NBA announced a multiyear agreement with Sands China to host preseason games in Macao, starting with two matches between the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns on October 10 and 12, 2025.
• This marks the league's return to China after a five-year hiatus following fallout from a 2019 tweet by then-Rockets GM Daryl Morey supporting Hong Kong protests, which led to financial losses and severed ties.
• The games will take place at the Venetian Arena, a 14,000-seat venue in Macao, the only region in China where casino gambling is legal and a growing hub for international sports events.
• The partnership includes youth development programs, fan engagement activities, and social initiatives aimed at strengthening the NBA's presence in the region.
• China remains a critical market for the NBA, with an estimated 300-450 million basketball fans, and the league aims to rebuild its financial and cultural ties through this initiative.