NBA Cancels Middle East Preseason Games Amid Regional Conflict

For the first time in five years, the NBA will not host preseason contests in the Middle East, affecting planned trips to Abu Dhabi and a potential debut in Doha.

On July 30, 2026, ESPN reported that the NBA will not stage any preseason games in the Middle East for the first time in five years. This decision stems directly from the ongoing military conflict between the United States and Iran. While the league had not yet released a formal schedule for Abu Dhabi, internal deliberations had already identified the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, and Washington Wizards as the primary candidates for the 2026 international slate.

Key details

League executives had actively explored hosting the inaugural NBA contest in Doha, Qatar, as a centerpiece of the upcoming exhibition season. The proposed itinerary involved two of the four shortlisted franchises playing one game in the Qatari capital before traveling to Abu Dhabi for a second matchup. These logistical arrangements remained in the private planning stages and were never officially confirmed to the public prior to the cancellation announcement. The Qatar Investment Authority maintains a minority ownership stake in the parent organization of the Washington Wizards, a financial link that initially fueled the push for a Doha debut.

This hiatus breaks a consistent four-year run of preseason basketball in the United Arab Emirates. In October 2025, the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers competed in a two-game series in Abu Dhabi to prepare for the 2025-26 regular season. Despite the current suspension of play, the NBA and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism signed a multi-year extension of their partnership in January. That agreement covers not only the Global Games but also expanded marketing rights and the continued operation of the NBA Global Academy located within the UAE.

Sources familiar with the league's international strategy indicate a firm intention to revisit Qatar in the coming years. A preseason appearance in Doha was specifically designed to build momentum for the 2027 FIBA World Cup, which is slated to begin in the Qatari capital next August. The current regional instability has forced a pause on these specific basketball operations, though the long-term commitment to the Gulf region remains intact through existing commercial contracts.

Latest developments

The NBA is not the only major sporting entity adjusting its calendar due to the geopolitical climate. Formula 1 recently relocated the postponed Bahrain Grand Prix to Malaysia for an October slot. Racing officials are currently evaluating the feasibility of scheduled events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi set for later this calendar year. The basketball league’s decision reflects a broader trend of risk mitigation for American sports franchises operating in the region during 2026.

Financial ties between the league and the Middle East have deepened significantly since the first Abu Dhabi games in 2022. The partnership extension signed earlier this year ensures that the NBA will maintain a physical presence in the UAE through youth development programs even while the professional teams remain in North America. The Global Academy serves as a central hub for scouting and training talent across the Middle East and North Africa, operating independently of the preseason game schedule.

Future scheduling for the 2027 preseason remains contingent on the resolution of the conflict between U.S. and Iranian forces. The league office typically finalizes international travel plans 12 to 14 months in advance to accommodate the complex logistics of moving four professional rosters across time zones. By canceling the 2026 trip in July, the NBA avoids the significant financial penalties associated with late-stage withdrawals from stadium and broadcast agreements in the Gulf. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat will now conduct their entire training camp and exhibition schedule within domestic facilities or alternative international venues yet to be named.