The NBA China Games 2026 will feature the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets playing preseason games on Friday, Oct. 9 and Sunday, Oct. 11 at The Venetian Arena in Macao, the league announced Monday.
Mavericks To Play In NBA China Games 2026
The Mavericks will face the Rockets as part of a three-day weekend later this year that will include interactive fan events, youth basketball clinics, and a Community Impact Week co-hosted by NBA Cares and Sands Cares.
“For the Mavericks, this is a meaningful opportunity to represent our organization and our fans on an international stage,” team governor Patrick Dumont stated in Monday’s news release.
“Following our recent game in Mexico City, playing in Macao reflects our club’s continued growth and the strong connection we’ve built with fans.
“The NBA China Games 2026 underscores the league’s ability to bring the highest level of basketball to audiences worldwide. We are grateful to the NBA and the Houston Rockets for their partnership in making these games possible.”
Mavs Have Played In Shanghai, Shenzhen
The NBA estimates that the Mavericks have 10 million fans in China. The Mavericks played two preseason games against the Philadelphia 76ers in October 2018, in Shanghai and Shenzhen.
“The games in Macao earlier this season showed how much passion and enthusiasm there is for the NBA among fans in China and across Asia,” NBA deputy commissioner and chief operating officer Mark Tatum said.
“We look forward to welcoming the Mavericks and Rockets to Macao and to once again engaging fans, aspiring players and the local community through the games and surrounding events.”
According to Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News, Mavs employees have made “multiple trips to Macao” to finalize details for the NBA China Games 2026.
Rockets Have A Large Following In China
Houston selected Yao Ming, a native of Shanghai, with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft. As a 7-foot-6 center, Ming became an eight-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA member in eight seasons with the Rockets.
In April 2016, Ming became the first Chinese national to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame after averaging 19.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 486 career regular-season games (476 starts).
Since drafting Ming, the Rockets “have received overwhelming love from the passionate basketball fans of China and built several cherished memories playing overseas,” Houston alternate governor Patrick Fertitta said.
Last October’s two Suns-Nets preseason games in Macao marked the end of a six-year conflict between the NBA and China, following then-Rockets general manager Daryl Morey’s 2019 tweet in support of Hong Kong protestors against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
