The NBA is returning to China in 2026, with the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets set to face off in what promises to be a marquee international event. Tickets for the NBA China Games 2026, presented by Taobao 88VIP, will go on sale on August 12. The announcement marks a significant milestone in the league's renewed commitment to growing its presence in one of its most important global markets.
Tickets for the NBA China Games 2026 go on sale August 12
The Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets will participate in the games
The event is presented by Taobao 88VIP, Alibaba's premium membership platform
The games represent the NBA's continued push to expand its international footprint in Asia
NBA's Long History With Chinese Basketball Fans
The NBA has cultivated a massive following in China over several decades, dating back to the early broadcast deals that brought American basketball into living rooms across the country. The league's popularity surged dramatically during the era of Yao Ming, the Houston Rockets center who became one of the most recognizable athletes in Chinese sports history and served as a cultural bridge between the two basketball worlds. That connection helped the Rockets build one of the most devoted Chinese fan bases of any franchise in the league, making their inclusion in this event a natural and commercially savvy choice.
The Dallas Mavericks bring their own compelling storyline to this international showcase. The team has featured prominent players who resonate with Asian audiences, and the franchise has long been active in global outreach efforts. Pairing these two franchises for the China Games creates a matchup with deep historical and cultural significance for fans in the region, rather than simply selecting teams at random for the purposes of exhibition play.
Alibaba Partnership Signals Strong Commercial Backing
The involvement of Taobao 88VIP as the presenting sponsor underscores the commercial weight behind this event. Taobao is one of China's largest e-commerce platforms, and 88VIP is Alibaba's premium loyalty membership program, which offers subscribers access to exclusive deals, content, and experiences across the Alibaba ecosystem. Associating that membership tier with NBA game tickets is a strategic move that elevates the event's prestige while giving Alibaba a high-profile vehicle to reward its most valuable customers.
Partnerships like this one reflect how the NBA structures its international events not just as sporting exhibitions but as full-scale commercial and marketing productions. Sponsorship arrangements with major local brands help offset the logistical costs of staging games abroad while also deepening the league's ties with regional business communities. For Alibaba, the association with the NBA lends its loyalty program a lifestyle and entertainment dimension that goes beyond ordinary retail rewards.
What the 2026 Games Mean for NBA's China Strategy
The NBA's relationship with China has navigated a period of significant turbulence in recent years following diplomatic tensions that temporarily disrupted broadcast agreements and business partnerships. The staging of the China Games 2026 signals a meaningful step toward rebuilding and stabilizing that relationship, which had been one of the league's most lucrative international revenue streams. Live games on Chinese soil carry symbolic importance beyond ticket sales, demonstrating that both sides are willing to invest in the partnership's long-term future.
For fans in China, the opportunity to watch NBA players compete in person is relatively rare, which makes these events genuinely special rather than routine. The Chinese basketball market has continued to grow even during periods of political friction, with a younger generation of fans engaging with the sport through social media, streaming, and gaming. Bringing two storied franchises to China in 2026 is likely to generate substantial excitement and media coverage, reinforcing the NBA's standing as the world's premier professional basketball league.
Why it matters
The NBA China Games 2026 represent more than just a pair of preseason matchups — they signal the league's ongoing effort to re-engage one of its largest and most passionate international audiences after years of diplomatic complexity. For fans in China, it is a rare chance to see top NBA talent live, while for the league and its sponsors, the event is a high-stakes investment in a market that remains central to global basketball growth.
Common questions
When do tickets for the NBA China Games 2026 go on sale?
Tickets for the NBA China Games 2026, presented by Taobao 88VIP, are scheduled to go on sale on August 12. Fans interested in attending should monitor official NBA and Taobao channels for purchasing details and any priority access options tied to the 88VIP membership program.
Why were the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets chosen for the China Games?
Both franchises have strong historical connections to Chinese basketball audiences. The Houston Rockets in particular have an enormous fan base in China rooted in the Yao Ming era, while the Mavericks have also cultivated significant international appeal. Selecting these two teams maximizes fan interest and cultural resonance for the event.