The NBA returns to Macao in 2026 with a two-game preseason set between the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets, headlined by Cooper Flagg and Kevin Durant. Here is the schedule, the venue, the star power, and how to watch the NBA China Games as details are confirmed.
2026 NBA China Games: Key Facts
- Matchup: Dallas Mavericks vs Houston Rockets (NBA preseason)
- Dates: Friday, October 9 and Sunday, October 11, 2026
- Venue: The Venetian Arena, Macao
- Presented by: Taobao 88VIP
- Star power: Cooper Flagg (Mavericks) and Kevin Durant (Rockets)
Game Schedule
| Game | Date | Venue | Tip (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Friday, October 9, 2026 | The Venetian Arena, Macao | 8:10 AM | NBA TV |
| Game 2 | Sunday, October 11, 2026 | The Venetian Arena, Macao | 6:00 AM | NBA TV |
Tip-off is 8:10 AM ET for Game 1 (Friday) and 6:00 AM ET for Game 2 (Sunday), both on NBA TV. Macao is 12 hours ahead of the US East Coast, so an evening tip in Macao falls in the American morning, and a matinee lands late the previous night in the States. We will add exact times here once the NBA confirms them.
How to Watch the 2026 NBA China Games in the US
Both games air live on NBA TV in the US and stream on NBA League Pass through the NBA App, with the league saying the China Games reach fans in more than 200 countries. Game 1 tips at 8:10 AM ET on Friday, October 9, and Game 2 at 6:00 AM ET on Sunday, October 11. Macao is 12 hours ahead of the East Coast, so both are early-morning starts for US viewers.
Why Macao, and Why These Teams
The China Games mark the NBA’s return to China for preseason play, and Macao’s Venetian Arena hosts the doubleheader. The matchup pairs two of the league’s most watchable young-and-veteran story lines: Cooper Flagg beginning his career with Dallas and Kevin Durant in a Houston uniform, with fan events, clinics, and community programming around the games.
2026 NBA China Games FAQ
When are the 2026 NBA China Games?
Friday, October 9 and Sunday, October 11, 2026, at The Venetian Arena in Macao.
Who is playing in the 2026 NBA China Games?
The Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets, featuring Cooper Flagg and Kevin Durant, in two NBA preseason games.
