After six years away, the NBA has officially returned to China, marking a major milestone for the league’s global ambitions. The comeback kicked off in Macau, where preseason games are being held for the first time since 2019.
The break from China followed the political tensions that erupted in 2019. A single tweet from a team executive sparked widespread backlash and led to strained relations.. Since then, the league has been carefully working behind the scenes to restore its presence. Especially since China is one of its most lucrative and basketball-obsessed markets, this effort has now paid off.
🤝 The Alibaba Partnership: Basketball Meets Artificial Intelligence
In conjunction with its China return, the NBA announced a multi-year partnership with Alibaba. The deal focuses on leveraging AI and cloud computing to improve the fan experience during games.
This partnership signals a technological evolution in how the NBA delivers content to international audiences. Alibaba’s cloud tools will allow fans to experience games with advanced data overlays, dynamic language translation, and AI-powered viewing recommendations.
“We’re not just bringing basketball back to China,” said an NBA spokesperson. “We’re bringing the future of basketball entertainment.”
🏟️ Why Macau Matters
Choosing Macau as the host city is a masterstroke. It allows the NBA to reconnect with Chinese fans while keeping a degree of separation. Especially from the politically sensitive environment in mainland China. The games are drawing significant attention both online and in person. Macau is a global entertainment hub known for its tourism and gaming industries. This makes it the perfect testing ground for the NBA’s digital-first reentry strategy.
🔥 Final Take
After years of silence, the NBA isn’t just returning to China — it’s redefining how the game is experienced. By combining the world’s most popular basketball league with one of the world’s most powerful tech companies.