The Venetian Arena – the revamped and freshly-branded concert and event venue at the Venetian Macao – will host in 2025 preseason games from two National Basketball Association (NBA) teams.
The Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns will play on October 10 and October 12 next year at the Venetian Arena, announced on Friday its promoter, Sands China Ltd.
Sands China and the NBA have signed a multi-year agreement to stage preseason games in Macau. Under the deal, the NBA will host two preseason games per year over the next five years at the Venetian Arena, according to the South China Morning Post outlet, citing NBA’s deputy commissioner Mark Tatum.
The value of the deal was not disclosed by Sands China.
Sands China’s president and chief executive, Grant Chum, said in a Friday press conference: “Sands China has been a pioneer in bringing major international events to the city: starting back in October 2007 when we hosted two NBA teams in a preseason game at the Venetian Macao, shortly after the integrated resort’s opening.”
Mr Chum stated: “The Venetian Arena has just been fully renovated and upgraded and will be the home to the NBA China games from next year onwards.”
He added: “Our consistent efforts in bringing world-class events and entertainment over the years have demonstrated our enduring support for the goal of positioning Macau as a world centre of tourism and leisure.”
Also at the press briefing, Patrick Dumont, president and chief operating officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp, the parent of Sands China, said “sports and sporting events have long been an important part of Macau’s tourism efforts”.
“A year ago, our family became the majority owner of NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, and I’ve been able to experience firsthand the passion and dedication of NBA fans. NBA basketball has the power to attract and inspire people from all over the globe,” stated Mr Dumont.
Mr Dumont, who is also the Dallas Mavericks’ governor, added: “Sands is honoured to bring the NBA China Games to Macao so that the most elite level of basketball can be experienced directly by the fans who are so passionate about it.”
The deal to bring NBA preseason games to Macau marks an “important milestone in Macau’s evolution as a leading international tourism destination,” said the Las Vegas Sands president and COO.
The NBA board of governors approved last year the sale of the controlling interest in Dallas Mavericks to the Adelson family: Miriam Adelson, the widow of the late Las Vegas Sands founder, Sheldon Adelson; their daughter Sivan Ochschorn and son-in-law Mr Dumont.
NBA’s deputy commissioner Mr Tatum said that by hosting preseason games in Macau would be an opportunity to “showcase the excitement of the NBA to fans in one of the world’s emerging hubs for sports”.
“The Nets and the Suns feature an exciting mix of established and rising stars, and we look forward to engaging fans, aspiring players and the local community in Macau through these games and a variety of interactive events, youth development programmes and social impact initiatives,” he stated.
The Venetian Arena will be host to an exhibition game on Saturday featuring some of the biggest names to have played in the NBA competition. The playes – Tracy McGrady, Ray Allen, Tony Parker, Stephon Marbury, DeMarcus Cousins and Cuttino Moble – were all present at Friday’s press event.
Sands China also said in an announcement that it is an official integrated resort partner of NBA China, and it will serve as the official promoter of the games.
The NBA China Games 2025 will have an outreach to “more than 200 countries and territories” on television, digital media and social media, added the casino firm.
According to the statement, the two parties will bring “lifestyle events” to Macau throughout the year, including an “NBA Fan Day” during the week of the preseason games that are said to feature celebrity performances and the opportunity to watch the basketball teams.
The casino operator also noted that ahead of the games, an “NBA Flagship Store” is due to open at one of the group’s properties, The Londoner Macao, featuring merchandise from the sports brand.
