The NBA will not stage preseason games in the Middle East this year because of the war in the region, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to UPI on Thursday. The decision affects the league’s usual plans to bring exhibition matchups to that market before the regular season.
In recent years, the NBA had used preseason contests in Abu Dhabi as part of its international outreach. Those games helped the league expand its presence outside North America and connect with fans in the Gulf.
This year, however, regional security concerns appear to have changed that approach. While the report did not outline further scheduling details, the move signals that conditions in the Middle East have made it impractical for the NBA to hold those events there at this time.
The halt applies to this year’s preseason slate and reflects how ongoing conflict can disrupt major international sports plans. For now, the NBA’s Middle East preseason games are off the calendar as the league adjusts to the situation in the region.
