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jul 31 2026Political instability in the Middle East forces the American league to modify its international plans for this year.
The NBA will not play preseason games in the Middle East this year. The league had studied returning to Abu Dhabi and expanding its presence with a first matchup in Qatar, but the geopolitical situation in the region has led to suspending both projects.
Abu Dhabi had hosted NBA games in recent years, while Doha emerged as a new venue taking advantage of hosting the 2027 Basketball World Cup. Neither of the two options will move forward for now.
The decision does not represent a break with the region. According to ESPN, the NBA maintains its intention to return to the United Arab Emirates and explore hosting games in Qatar when conditions allow for setting new dates.
