The NBA has announced that the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets will take part in the 2026 NBA China Games, with both teams set to play a pair of preseason matchups in Macao, China this October. 

This announcement marks another step in the league’s renewed focus on international outreach following successful exhibitions in the region, following a successful holding of the games last year between the Phoenix Suns and the Brooklyn Nets.

As part of the NBA China Games 2026, Dallas and Houston will face off in two preseason contests on October 9 and October 11 at The Venetian Arena in Macao’s Cotai district. These games continue the league’s commitment to bringing live NBA action to global audiences after a renewed relationship with Chinese fans and partners.

The week in Macao will go beyond just basketball, with the NBA and co-sponsor Sands China Ltd. planning a range of fan engagement activities, including NBA House events, fan clinics and community outreach programs. The league’s presence aims to celebrate basketball culture while fostering deeper connections with fans and aspiring players throughout Asia.

For the Mavericks, the China Games represent an exciting opportunity to showcase their young core while for the Rockets, the trip carries added historical significance given the franchise’s longstanding popularity in China dating back to the era of Hall of Famer Yao Ming.