NBA Returns TO China

The NBA is set to return to China for the first time since 2019, marking a significant milestone in the league's global outreach. Two preseason games featuring the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns are scheduled to take place in October 2025 at the Venetian Arena in Macau, according to multiple reports. This announcement signals a renewed relationship between the NBA and China, a bond that was strained in 2019 after then-Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted support for Hong Kong protests.

 

The fallout from Morey’s tweet led to a suspension of NBA broadcasts on China’s state-run CCTV and cost the league an estimated $400 million in lost revenue. However, efforts to rebuild ties, spearheaded by NBA China chief executive Michael Ma, have borne fruit. By 2022, NBA games resumed airing on CCTV, while streaming services also began showcasing league content.

 

 

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, addressing the controversy, reiterated the league’s commitment to values of free expression while acknowledging the financial toll of the incident. Since then, the NBA has expanded its international presence, hosting preseason games in Abu Dhabi and launching initiatives like the NBA Cup, the league’s in-season tournament sponsored by Emirates Airlines.

 

The upcoming Macau games highlight the NBA’s enduring popularity in China, a nation with a fervent basketball fanbase. From 2004 to 2019, 17 NBA teams participated in 28 preseason games in the country, underscoring its significance as a key market. The Venetian Arena, owned by Las Vegas Sands, will host the games. This venue also reflects the unique legal status of Macau as the only Chinese territory where casino gambling is permitted.

 

Joe Tsai, owner of the Nets and co-founder of Alibaba, further exemplifies the league’s deep ties to China. The preseason games are a step forward in rebuilding trust and engaging a critical audience for the NBA’s global aspirations.