NBA legends headline Macau's October basketball showcase
Basketball fever is set to sweep Macau this October as a line-up of NBA greats, including Shaquille O’Neal, Stephon Marbury, Shawn Marion, Tim Hardaway Sr, Mitch Richmond, and Deron Williams, will headline the city’s first-ever NBA House fan event.
Running from 8 to 12 October at The Venetian Macau, the interactive festival will coincide with two preseason games between the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns on 10 and 12 October. The NBA said that fans can expect photo opportunities with the Larry O’Brien Trophy, basketball clinics, live viewing parties, music performances, and themed experiences designed to immerse visitors in NBA culture.
Nets and Suns line-ups
The NBA said that the Brooklyn Nets will arrive with a roster that includes Chinese guard Yongxi Cui, 21, whose participation is expected to draw strong support in the region. Cameron Johnson provides outside shooting, Cam Thomas adds scoring ability, and Nic Claxton leads defensively in the paint. Veteran Bojan Bogdanovic and playmaker Shake Milton add depth, with Noah Clowney and Dariq Whitehead representing the team’s younger talent.
The Phoenix Suns bring Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, forming one of the league’s strongest cores. Jusuf Nurkic adds rebounding and interior presence, supported by Grayson Allen, Josh Okogie, Mason Plumlee, Monte Morris, and prospect Ryan Dunn.
Economic and tourism impact
Each NBA event in Macau is forecast to generate $9.6 million to $16 million in spending and attract 30,000 to 50,000 visitors. The figures support the government’s goals to reduce reliance on gaming, which currently accounts for around 80 percent of tax income, and to grow non-gaming industries to 60 percent of GDP by 2028.
The partnership between the NBA and the government is expected also to strengthen Macau’s positioning as a tourism and events destination, building on recent success with music and sporting attractions.
Tickets and pricing
Ticket prices have not been confirmed, but are expected to follow the prices of previous international NBA events. In Paris, tickets started at $100, with courtside exceeding $2,000. The Abu Dhabi Games offered tickets from $150 to more than $3,000 for VIP packages. Similar tiers are anticipated in Macau, ranging from courtside to budget-friendly limited-visibility options.
LeBron James on basketball as a bridge
Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post reported that in an article published by the People’s Daily, LA Lakers star LeBron James described basketball as a “connecting bridge” between the United States and China. James was in East Asia for his 2025 China tour, which included stops in Shanghai and Chengdu.
The NBA star led training sessions for the Chinese under-19 squad alongside national team captain Zhao Rui.
NBA legacy in Macau
Macau’s history with NBA games began in 2007 when the Cleveland Cavaliers met the Orlando Magic and continued in 2014 with the Nets facing the Sacramento Kings. The return in 2025, featuring the Nets and Suns, continues the city’s role in the NBA’s global expansion and provides local fans with another rare chance to see the league live.
