NBA District is coming to Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi

Week-long fan event will be ready for the two pre-season basketball games hosted at Etihad Arena

Ralph Rivera, managing director of NBA Europe and Middle East, seated, left, and Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, director general for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi during the press conference for NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022, at Arabian Travel Market, held at Dubai World Trade Centre in Dubai. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National

Freestyle performers put on a show during the press conference for the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022.

A freestyle performer during the press conference for NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022.

A performer dressed in the Atlanta Hawks mascot costume dances during the press conference for the NBA Abu Dhabi Games.

A freestyle performer juggles basketballs during the press conference for the NBA Abu Dhabi Games.

A freestyle performer at the press conference for the NBA Abu Dhabi Games.

A freestyle performer puts on a show during the press conference for the NBA Abu Dhabi Games.

A freestyle performer balances basketballs during the press conference for the NBA Abu Dhabi Games.

Ralph Rivera, managing director, NBA Europe and Middle East, during the press conference for the NBA Abu Dhabi Games.

Ralph Rivera, managing director, NBA Europe and Middle East and Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, director general for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi.

Ralph Rivera and Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry during the press conference for the NBA Abu Dhabi Games.

Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry and Ralph Rivera hold up Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks jerseys during the NBA Abu Dhabi Games press conference.

Fans of NBA in the UAE have more than the basketball games to be excited about.

It’s been announced that an NBA District will be hosted at Manarat Al Saadiyat in the week that the two games will be played at Etihad Arena. The fan event, to be held from Wednesday to Sunday, will also showcase music and art associated with the NBA. Expect immersive experiences, limited-edition merchandise, player appearances and more.

On the programme are performances by the Milwaukee Bucks dunk team and mascot Bango as well as the Atlanta Hawks's dance team and their mascot Harry the Hawk. There will also be live art demonstrations by Spanish artist Mr Dripping and NBA Lab creative director Billi Kid.

Other activities include a beat the buzzer competition to win tickets to the game and photo opportunities with NBA personalities and with the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, which is presented to the NBA champions at the end of the season.

There will also be one live Q&A session each day with former players Shaquille O'Neal, Dominique Wilkins, Isiah Thomas, Chris Bosh and Vince Carter. Those who haven't got tickets to the games can head to Manarat Al Saadiyat for a live viewing party.

A one-day ticket for NBA District is Dh55, while a five-day pass is Dh215. More information is available at nbaevents.com/abudhabi

An official NBA Store is coming to Yas Mall

The basketball league will expand its presence in the region by opening its first official NBA Store at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi. The shop, which will span more than 500 square metres, will sell a range of NBA merchandise and memorabilia, such as player jerseys, fan apparel, basketball caps, footwear and more. The website NBAStoreMe.com will also soon be launched for those who prefer to shop online.

“The opening of the NBA Store in Abu Dhabi in conjunction with our first games there reflects the growing popularity of basketball in the UAE and across the Middle East,” said Steve Griffiths, NBA Europe and Middle East's senior director for global partnerships.

“Through this new flagship store and dedicated e-commerce site, we are excited to expand our collaboration with Al Mana Fashion Group to provide the widest range of authentic NBA products ever available to fans in the region.”

The mall also has special interactive activities for fans until Saturday. This includes an NBA-theme area in the mall’s Town Square courtyard that will display the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy as well as NBA Jam and NBA 2k23 video game kiosks and pop-a-shots for those who want to try their basketball luck.

NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi sign multi-year partnership

Last year, the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi signed a multi-year partnership with the NBA to bring games to the region, starting with the coming pre-season games between the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday and Saturday at Etihad Arena.

In addition to the pre-season games, the partnership will have the two teams together to expand basketball in the UAE and across the region. Junior NBA Leagues for boys and girls will be launched at schools and academies throughout the Emirates, while NBA Fit clinics will encourage and promote health and wellness.

“We’re very proud to have this multiyear partnership and that goes beyond that game," said Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, executive director of Tourism and Marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi. "We have shared values with the NBA; values of tolerance, diversity, teamwork — all these things reflect our communities in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.”