The NBA’s 2025-26 season is going global like never before, with international games spanning continents and cultures. From preseason showdowns in the desert to regular-season battles in Europe’s arenas, these events are must-sees for fans craving high-stakes hoops abroad. Here we’ve restructured everything by venue for easy navigation—dive into each spot’s full scoop, including match counts, detailed schedules, venue vibes, ticket deets, and streaming tips. Whether you’re booking flights or firing up League Pass, here’s your roadmap to the action. (Updated October 3, 2025—Melbourne Game 1 tipping off soon!)
Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi: NBA Abu Dhabi Games Hub
Nestled on Yas Island in the UAE, Etihad Arena is a glittering 18,000-seat marvel known for hosting F1 after-parties and now, NBA preseason fireworks. This venue kicks off the global slate with the NBA Abu Dhabi Games, a two-match series blending rivalry heat and desert luxury.
- Number of Matches: 2 (preseason doubleheader)
- Match Details:
- Oct. 2 (Completed): New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers – Knicks cruised to a 99-84 victory in the opener, with Miles McBride leading scorers at 12 points amid limited star minutes. Tip-off: 8:00 PM GST (12:00 PM ET). Attendance: 11,983 fans hyped by dunks and defensive clinics.
- Oct. 4 (Upcoming): Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks – Rematch redemption for Philly, tipping at 7:00 PM GST (11:00 AM ET). Expect deeper rotations as coaches prep for Oct. 21’s regular season start.
- Venue Highlights: State-of-the-art with luxury fan zones, fireworks post-game, and easy access to Yas Marina Circuit. It’s the fourth edition here, solidifying Abu Dhabi’s NBA hotspot status.
- Tickets & Pricing: Game 1 sold out; resale via Ticketmaster or NBA Experiences starts ~$200 USD for upper bowl. Oct. 4 has limited seats: 500 AED (~$136 USD) upper to 5,000 AED (~$1,360 USD) courtside on Etihad Arena’s site or Platinumlist. VIP bundles include meet-and-greets and hotel perks.
- How to Watch: Stream on NBA League Pass; highlights on NBA.com. #NBAinAbuDhabi is trending—join the buzz!
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne: NBAxNBL Melbourne Series Epicenter
Iconic Rod Laver Arena, the 15,000-capacity tennis temple in Melbourne’s Olympic Park, transforms into a hoops haven for the groundbreaking NBAxNBL Melbourne Series. This NBA-National Basketball League collab marks the first NBA team Down Under, fusing Aussie grit with Pelicans power.
- Number of Matches: 2 (preseason exhibitions)
- Match Details:
- Oct. 3 (Today – Tipping Off Soon): New Orleans Pelicans vs. Melbourne United – Zion Williamson’s injury-return spotlight game at 7:30 PM AEST (5:30 AM ET). Live energy with local flavor; doors at 6:00 PM AEST.
- Oct. 5: New Orleans Pelicans vs. South East Melbourne Phoenix – Finale at 2:00 PM AEST (12:00 AM ET Oct. 6), following Oct. 4’s Fan Night (doors 4:00 PM AEST) with skills challenges and Q&As.
- Venue Highlights: Rod Laver’s retractable roof and vibrant courtside vibe make it perfect for cultural exchanges like open practices and zoo visits. It’s a milestone for NBL-NBA ties.
- Tickets & Pricing: On sale via Ticketek: $50–$1,500 AUD (~$34–$1,000 USD), with premium lower bowl at $500–$800 AUD. Affordable entry for families; grab now before sellouts.
- How to Watch: NBA League Pass or NBL platforms. Follow #NBAxNBL for real-time updates from Oz.
Rogers Arena, Vancouver: NBA Canada Series Northern Stronghold
Rogers Arena, Vancouver’s 19,000-seat multi-sport gem (home to the NHL’s Canucks), pulses with basketball passion during the NBA Canada Series. This preseason tilt honors Canada’s hoops heritage, drawing Raptors faithful north.
- Number of Matches: 1 (preseason showcase)
- Match Details:
- Oct. 6: Toronto Raptors vs. Denver Nuggets – Jamal Murray vs. Scottie Barnes showdown at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET). Toronto’s 15th Canada Series appearance; Denver’s first since 2016—expect young talent explosions.
- Venue Highlights: Overlooks the Pacific, with presale perks and VIP packages amplifying the heartfelt, homegrown vibe. Presented by Bell, it’s a tune-up for the Hisense NBA Tip-Off.
- Tickets & Pricing: Presale wrapped; general sale via Ticketmaster (started Aug. 27). Expect $100–$500 CAD (~$73–$365 USD) based on history—lower bowl under $200 CAD if quick.
- How to Watch: NBA TV Canada or League Pass. #NBACanada trending for fan reactions.
The Venetian Arena, Macao: NBA China Games Asian Revival Spot
The Venetian Arena, a lavish 15,000-seat entertainment nexus in Macao’s Cotai Strip, resurrects NBA action after a six-year gap with the NBA China Games. This two-game series signals a five-year commitment to Greater China fandom.
- Number of Matches: 2 (preseason thrillers)
- Match Details:
- Oct. 10: Phoenix Suns vs. Brooklyn Nets – KD vs. Bridges opener at 7:30 PM CST (7:30 AM ET); doors 6:00 PM.
- Oct. 12: Brooklyn Nets vs. Phoenix Suns – Rematch at 6:30 PM CST (5:30 AM ET), capped by Oct. 11’s NBA Fan Day (3:30 PM CST) with clinics and autographs.
- Venue Highlights: Blends casino glamour with hoops, including youth clinics and fan festivals for immersive Asia-Pacific vibes.
- Tickets & Pricing: Via Cotai Ticketing or Taobao 88VIP: MOP $488–$24,888 (~$61–$3,110 USD), from upper seats to VIP extravagance.
- How to Watch: NBA League Pass globally. #NBAChinaGames for highlights.
Arena CDMX, Mexico City: NBA Mexico City Game Latin Heat
Arena CDMX, Mexico’s buzzing 22,000-seat premier venue, hosts the NBA Mexico City Game—the 33rd NBA tilt here and first regular-season since 2019—fueling Latin American growth.
- Number of Matches: 1 (regular-season battle)
- Match Details:
- Nov. 1: Detroit Pistons vs. Dallas Mavericks – Cade Cunningham vs. Luka Dončić fireworks at 8:00 PM CST (10:00 PM ET). Early Western Conference implications.
- Venue Highlights: High-altitude energy with passionate crowds; hosted by Zignia Live for trophy tours and cultural nods.
- Tickets & Pricing: On sale via NBA Experiences or resale (StubHub/Viagogo): ~$50 USD starting, premium packages $200+.
- How to Watch: NBA League Pass or local broadcasts. #NBAMexicoCity for stakes.
Uber Arena, Berlin: NBA Berlin Game European Launchpad
Uber Arena (ex-Mercedes-Benz), Berlin’s 17,000-seat powerhouse, debuts regular-season NBA with the NBA Berlin Game—part of a three-year Europe push.
- Number of Matches: 1 (regular-season debut)
- Match Details:
- Jan. 15, 2026: Orlando Magic vs. Memphis Grizzlies – Paolo Banchero vs. Ja Morant at 8:00 PM CET (2:00 PM ET); doors TBD.
- Venue Highlights: Chilly German nights meet athletic grit; includes city tours for immersive Euro-hoops history.
- Tickets & Pricing: Presale register on NBA.com; AXS sales Q4 2025—~€50–€500 (~$55–$550 USD) per past events.
- How to Watch: NBA League Pass. #NBABerlin for hype.
The O2, London: NBA London Game Transatlantic Closer
The O2, London’s 20,000-seat entertainment icon, caps the Europe duo with the NBA London Game—a sold-out tradition of pre-game concerts and NBA Store pop-ups.
- Number of Matches: 1 (regular-season rematch)
- Match Details:
- Jan. 18, 2026: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Orlando Magic – Berlin rematch at 5:00 PM GMT (12:00 PM ET); doors 3:00 PM.
- Venue Highlights: Electric crowds three days post-Berlin; underscores transatlantic appeal with jet-lag drama.
- Tickets & Pricing: Interest register on NBA Events; AXS soon—£40–£400 (~$52–$520 USD) based on priors.
- How to Watch: NBA League Pass worldwide. #NBALondon for vibes.
Wrapping the Global Tip-Off: Why These Venues Rule
From Etihad’s opulence to The O2’s roar, these venues host over a billion fans’ dreams, bridging cultures via accessible streams and tickets. Mark calendars, snag seats, and follow #NBAGlobalGames. Which venue’s calling? Comment below—adventure awaits!
Source – https://www.nba.com/
