It's only been just over three months since the Oklahoma City Thunder reigned supreme as NBA champions, but it feels like an age for basketball fans all over the globe. Thankfully, the new 2025/26 season tips off on October 21. Before that, those craving some hoops action can whet their appetite with a bunch of preseason and exhibition games. A selection of those will be taking place in cities outside the United States and Canada, giving the chance for the NBA’s global family to check out the best ballers on the planet in action, live in the flesh.
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Of course, the world’s best basketball players have been spreading hoops happiness all over the globe for numerous years. An NBA side first ventured overseas in 1978, when the defending champions, the Washington Bullets, took on Maccabi Tel Aviv (and lost 98-97). The Bullets would play three more games the following year in China (Beijing and Shanghai) and the Philippines (Quezon City).
More recently, Abu Dhabi has become the overseas focal point for preseason match-ups, following a multiyear partnership agreement signed by the NBA and the United Arab Emirates in 2021. The UAE capital has staged the previous six all-NBA clashes before this year.
Another thrilling period of overseas NBA preseason games gets underway on Thursday, October 2, in Abu Dhabi, and you could be there (and at other venues) in person to see some of the world’s best hoop shooters take to the court. As well as match-ups between sides from the NBA, we also see the New Orleans Pelicans take on NBL teams in Australia this month.
Let GOAL give you all the vital ticket information you need to know ahead of this year’s overseas NBA preseason games, including where the games are taking place, how much the tickets cost and where you can buy them.
When are the NBA Global Games 2025?
The following NBA preseason (and exhibition) games will be taking place outside the United States and Canada:
| Date | Fixture | Venue | Tip-off time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Oct 2 | New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi | 8pm local time (12pm ET/5pm BST) | StubHub, Viagogo |
| Fri, Oct 3 | New Orleans Pelicans vs Melbourne United | Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne | 7.30pm local time (5.30am ET/10.30am BST) | StubHub, Viagogo |
| Sat, Oct 4 | New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi | 7pm local time (11am ET/4pm BST) | StubHub, Viagogo |
| Sat, Oct 4 | Orlando Magic vs Miami Heat | Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot, San Juan | 8pm local time (8pm ET/Sun 1am BST) | StubHub, Viagogo |
| Fri, Oct 10 | Phoenix Suns vs Brooklyn Nets | Cotai Arena at The Venetian Macau, Macau | 7.30pm local time (7.30am ET/12.30pm BST) | StubHub, Viagogo |
| Sun, Oct 12 | Phoenix Suns vs Brooklyn Nets | Cotai Arena at The Venetian Macau, Macau | 6.30pm local time (6.30am ET/11.30am BST) | StubHub, Viagogo |
Aside from the above preseason games, the following NBA regular season game is also taking place in Mexico:
| Date | Fixture | Venue | Tip-off time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Nov 1 | Dallas Mavericks vs Detroit Pistons | Mexico City Arena, Mexico City | 8pm local time (10pm ET/Sun 3am BST) | StubHub, Viagogo |
How to buy NBA Global Games 2025 tickets
NBA Global Game tickets can be purchased directly via links on the arena sites where the matchups are taking place. These can be found below, although tickets for some of the games will be in high demand or even sold out.
- Abu Dhabi games: https://www.etihadarena.ae/en/events
- Melbourne NBA x NBL games: https://rodlaverarena.com.au/events/
- San Juan game: https://www.coliseodepuertorico.com/
- Macau games: https://www.venetianmacao.com/entertainment.html
In addition, fans can purchase NBA Global Game tickets on the secondary market. StubHub and Viagogo are two of the leading retailers for those seeking to buy tickets through alternative channels. They are legitimate merchants in the ticket resale marketplace and a safe place for fans to buy tickets.
How much do NBA Global Games 2025 tickets cost?
NBA Global Games 2025 ticket prices will inevitably vary according to factors such as venue and seating location within the various arenas. On the arena and official ticket sites, original prices were as follows:
- Abu Dhabi games: $88-$2880
- Melbourne NBA x NBL games: $162-$915
- San Juan game: $109-$400
- Macau games: $60-$3000
Keep tabs on the official arena ticket portals for additional information about availability and prices. Tickets on secondary resale sites such as StubHub, Viagogo are currently available from $37-£540.