Abu Dhabi is set to host two preseason NBA matches featuring the Knicks and 76ers, as part of ongoing efforts to develop basketball and engage with the community.

For the fourth consecutive year, Abu Dhabi is set to host two preseason matches for the new season of the NBA, featuring the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island on October 2 and 4. 
The event is organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi, in partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA), which has been ongoing since 2022. The announcement also highlighted that the games will be accompanied by various activities, including talent development programs and interactive sessions where fans can engage with both former and current basketball stars.
Salah Al-Jaziri, the Director General of Tourism at the Department of Culture and Tourism, noted, "Our success in hosting this event for the fourth year in a row reflects our strategic commitment to developing basketball and empowering young athletes in the UAE and the region. We are excited to welcome two of the most prominent NBA teams, the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers, in 2025." 
Meanwhile, George Evasoglu, General Manager of the NBA in Europe and the Middle East, expressed eagerness to interact with fans and budding players from the UAE and the surrounding areas through the matches and associated events.
Josh Harris, Managing Partner of the Philadelphia 76ers, stated that having the team in Abu Dhabi presents a fantastic opportunity to connect with new audiences in a vibrant and growing region. He added, "We are proud to be part of the efforts to expand the reach of the game internationally and look forward to representing Philadelphia while engaging with the lively community in the UAE."