News | November 3, 2026
Bringing World-Class Sports and Entertainment to Sands’ Regions: The NBA China Games 2026 in Review
Sands China’s presentation of The NBA China Games 2026 featuring pre-season games between the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets encompassed a full-court press of high-end hospitality, sports-themed entertainment and inspirational community impact experiences throughout event week.
With a focus on supporting economic diversification in Macao, positioning the special administrative region as a leading tourism and mega-events entertainment destination, and bringing positive impact to fans and the community, Sands China’s collaboration with the NBA on The NBA China Games 2026 delivered a wide range of experiences in a week-long basketball-themed extravaganza.
Highlighted by the pre-season Texas matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets at The Venetian Macao Oct. 9 and 11, The NBA China Games 2026 event series kicked off Oct. 7 and included a variety of fan and community engagement events to attract tourists, delight fans and inspire the community.
“What an incredible week for basketball in Macao,” Sands Chairman and CEO Patrick Dumont said. “Seeing the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets take the court at The Venetian Arena as the NBA China Games returned to Macao for the second consecutive year was a dream come true.
“The energy throughout the week was remarkable. From the excitement inside The Venetian Arena to NBA HOUSE, Fan Day and the basketball-themed experiences across our property, it was incredibly gratifying to see fans from around the world come together and share their love for the game.”
The NBA China Games 2026 brought NBA star power to Macao. The Mavericks’ roster includes 2016 NBA champion and nine-time NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving, 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg and 2026 No. 9 overall pick Morez Johnson Jr. The Rockets’ roster includes two-time NBA champion and 16-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant, two-time NBA All-Star Alperen Sengun, and 2024-25 NBA All-Defensive First Team member Amen Thompson.
Each team earned a win, with the Houston Rockets claiming the first game in the series and the Dallas Mavericks responding with a win in the closer.
The games capped a week of events including NBA Fan Day featuring Mavericks and Rockets players, entertainment and mascots on Oct. 10 at The Venetian Arena and NBA House Macao 2026, a five-day fan engagement extravaganza Oct. 7-11 at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo. This one-stop basketball carnival offered specialty dining, music and entertainment, fashion and retail, interactive technology and party experiences, with appearances throughout the week by NBA legends.
Giving back to the community also remained a central part of the event series for this year’s games. Sands China’s Sands Cares community engagement program and NBA Cares again orchestrated the NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week Oct. 7-11, in which NBA legends and current players visited local communities to provide Macao residents of all ages and backgrounds with valuable opportunities to learn, interact and be inspired.
NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week engagements gave young basketball players a chance to learn from and be coached by some of the biggest names in the sport, including NBA legends Ray Allen, Yao Ming, Shawn Marion and Mitch Richmond, renowned Chinese basketball player Ding Yanyuhang and China women’s basketball national team player Zhang Ziyu.
To mark Health and Wellness Day on Oct. 10, NBA legends Stephon Marbury and Cuttino Mobley joined Sands executives and members of the Fuhong Society of Macau to assemble and distribute boxed lunches to older residents and community members in need through the organization’s Happy Kitchen Social Enterprise.
The community engagement week closed on Oct. 11 with a Community Basketball Carnival in the NBA HOUSE at The Venetian® Macao. Following a basketball clinic for Macau Special Olympics members, other Macao social service organization members and their families joined for basketball-themed experiences with NBA legend Chris Bosh, Sands global ambassador Sir David Beckham, Zhang Ziyu and China speed skating Olympic gold medalist Wang Meng.
Sands China’s presentation of The NBA China Games 2026 demonstrates Sands’ commitment to creating unparalleled experiences at the intersection of hospitality, sports and community. See more highlights from the games:
