The NBA is taking over the capital and for one week, you'll be able to immerse yourselves fully in all the Basketball euphoria. Aside from the two games that will see the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves, you can experience meet and greets with legends, exclusive access to NBA Merchandise, plus performances and appearances from some of the biggest celebrities.
Fan Appreciation Day
Friday 6 October 2023
Six-time GRAMMY Award-winning artist, producer, and songwriter T-Pain will perform at the first NBA Fan Appreciation Day in Abu Dhabi, a new event celebrating the coming together of basketball, popular culture and the NBA, on Friday 6 October, 4:30pm at Etihad Arena. Renowned American singer and member of the iconic boyband Backstreet Boys, AJ McLean, and American actor and producer Michael B. Jordan will participate as special guests.
NBA Fan Appreciation Day will also feature appearances by Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves players, Abdul-Jabbar and NBA legends Shawn Marion, Sam Perkins, and Kenny Smith. Activities will include a skills challenge and three-point contest featuring Mavericks and Timberwolves players; performances by the Mavericks Entertainment Team, the Timberwolves Dunk Team, and the team mascots; and a slam dunk contest featuring professional dunkers.
NBA District
Thursday 5 October - Sunday 8 October 2023
NBA legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Ray Allen, Gary Payton, and Tim Hardaway Sr. will attend the NBA District, an interactive fan event that will return to Manarat Al Saadiyat from Thursday, Oct. 5 – Sunday, Oct 8.
Fans will also be able to participate in skill challenges, three-point contests and knockout games on a full-size NBA court; take their photo with the Larry O’Brien Trophy; play the new NBA Fantasy game; purchase limited-edition NBA merchandise, and more.
Floating Court
Wednesday 4-Saturday 7 October 2023
Check out the floating court installation in Yas Bay, which will host a variety of basketball competitions, NBA partner activations, and NBA legend and celebrity appearances over the course of the four days.
Tickets for the “NBA Fan Appreciation Day in Abu Dhabi” are available at etihadarena.ae and ticketmaster.ae, while tickets for the “NBA District” can be purchased at ticketmaster.ae.