Mavericks and Rockets to play two preseason games in Macao in October

Amen Thompson (left) and Cooper Flagg

NEW YORK – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Sands China Ltd. (Sands) today announced that 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.

In addition to the two games, the NBA and Sands will host interactive fan events including NBA House and NBA Fan Day, youth basketball clinics, and a Community Impact Week hosted by NBA Cares and Sands Cares featuring social impact programming focused on health, wellness and sustainability.

The NBA China Games 2026 will reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories on television, digital media and social media.  The games and surrounding events will be supported by a roster of marketing partners, including Amazon Web Services, Gatorade, Nike, and Tissot.

Information about ticket sales and the fan, youth and community events will be announced at a later date.

Executive Quotes

NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum: “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.  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.”

Sands China Ltd. President and Chief Executive Officer Grant Chum: “Riding on the outstanding success of The NBA China Games 2025 last October, I am excited about the programme we are planning for The NBA China Games 2026 showcasing the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets.  We are confident and ready to welcome the teams, players, legends and fans from around the world to Macao for another amazing NBA week filled with unforgettable experiences of sports, entertainment and community.”

Dallas Mavericks Governor and President and Chief Operating Officer of Las Vegas Sands Patrick Dumont: “It is a tremendous honor for Sands to host the games at The Venetian Arena next fall.  I could not be prouder of having the Mavericks come to Macao and have the team experience the incredible hospitality that Sands properties provide.  The success of The NBA China Games 2025 demonstrated the strength of the NBA in creating fan engagement and exciting experiences around the globe.  The NBA China Games 2026 will be another great opportunity to showcase the league, its world-class athletes and the excitement it brings.  I want to thank Commissioner Adam Silver and Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum for their leadership and the Houston Rockets organization for their strong support of The NBA China Games 2026.”

Houston Rockets Alternate Governor Patrick Fertitta: “The Houston Rockets are an iconic brand with support around the globe, and we are honored to be selected alongside the Dallas Mavericks to bring a Texas-sized matchup to Macao as part of The NBA China Games 2026.  Since drafting Hall of Famer Yao Ming first overall in 2002, we have received overwhelming love from the passionate basketball fans of China and built several cherished memories playing overseas.  We are excited to have another opportunity to represent the NBA abroad and showcase our team in front of the fans in Macao next preseason.”

About Sands China Ltd.
Sands China Ltd. (Sands China or the Company) is incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability and is listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (HKEx: 1928). Sands China is the largest operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The Company’s integrated resorts on the Cotai Strip comprise The Venetian® Macao, The Plaza® Macao, The Parisian® Macao and The Londoner® Macao. The Company also owns and operates Sands® Macao on the Macao peninsula. The Company’s portfolio features a diversified mix of leisure and business attractions and transportation operations, including large meeting and convention facilities; a wide range of restaurants; shopping malls; world-class entertainment at The Venetian Arena, The Londoner Arena, The Venetian Theatre, The Parisian Theatre, the Londoner Theatre and the Sands Theatre; and a high-speed Cotai Water Jet ferry service between Hong Kong and Macao. The Company’s Cotai Strip portfolio has the goal of contributing to Macao’s transformation into a world centre of tourism and leisure. Sands China is a subsidiary of global resort developer Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS).

About the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball.  Built around five professional sports leagues:  the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents.  NBA rosters at the start of the 2025-26 season featured a record 135 international players from a record-tying 43 countries.  The NBA’s digital assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass.  The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.5 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms.  NBA Cares, the NBA’s global social impact platform celebrating its 20th year, drives change on issues facing fans and communities in the areas of health and wellness, civic engagement, social justice and inclusion, and sustainability.