The NBA is reportedly not planning to stage preseason games in the Middle East this season because of the ongoing war between the United States and Iran, according to ESPN. The move would mark a break from the league’s recent pattern of using the region as part of its preseason schedule.
In past years, Abu Dhabi had become a regular host for NBA exhibition games, with Etihad Arena serving as the venue for those events. That run helped make the city a familiar stop on the league’s international preseason calendar.
This season, however, the reported decision suggests the NBA is stepping back from Middle East preseason games while regional tensions remain high. Based on the report, the shift is tied to the broader security and logistical concerns created by the conflict.
For fans in Abu Dhabi and the wider region, the absence of NBA preseason games would interrupt a stretch of annual visits that had expanded the league’s presence outside North America. While the report points to a pause for this year, it does not suggest the NBA is abandoning international preseason events altogether.
