Sands China and NBA Set Ticket Sales Start for 2026 Preseason Games at Venetian Macao
TL;DR — Sands China and the NBA open ticket sales August 12 for 2026 preseason games at The Venetian Macao between the Mavericks and Rockets on October 9 and 11. The event includes Asian artist performances and builds on last year’s visitation gains that benefited all six concessionaires. Patrick Dumont’s Mavericks ownership provides a direct programming link.
SCCG Take — Sports tie-ins continue to drive measurable sector-wide tourism gains in Macao. Operators should track how ownership synergies affect event selection and overall market lift.
As reported by Inside Asian Gaming, Macau concessionaire Sands China Ltd and the NBA will launch ticket sales for the NBA China Games 2026 presented by Taobao 88VIP at The Venetian Macao this Wednesday, 12 August. Sales open at midday China Standard Time via Cotai Ticketing, Taobao 88VIP, Trip.com and MPay.
The schedule includes two preseason contests between the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets on 9 October and 11 October. Halftime and fan day performances will feature KiiiKiii, Keung To, EVAN (also known as HEESEUNG) and MC Jin.
Player Lineup and Ticket Details
Key participants include Mavericks stars Kyrie Irving, 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg and 2026 No. 9 overall pick Morez Johnson Jr. The Rockets side features two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant, two-time All-Star Alperen Sengun and 2024-25 All-Defensive First Team selection Amen Thompson. Tickets begin at MOP$588 for the games and MOP$488 for NBA Fan Day. Sands China, the Official Integrated Resort Partner of NBA China, will co-host and promote the event. The games will reach audiences in more than 200 countries and territories through broadcast, digital and social channels.
Prior Results and Ownership Links
Last year’s matchup between the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets at the same venue drew strong attention. Las Vegas Sands President and COO Patrick Dumont called it a roaring success. Industry analysts noted it generated significant visitation to Sands China properties. MGM China’s Kenneth Feng stated the NBA return lifted business for all six concessionaires by expanding tourism and entertainment demand. The choice of two Texas teams aligns with Dumont’s role as Governor of the Dallas Mavericks. He and the Adelson family acquired majority ownership of the franchise in 2023 and signaled plans to bring the teams to Macau for 2026.
Macao operators should weigh how consistent sports programming of this scale influences occupancy and cross-property traffic in a concession environment where one event can lift the entire sector.
Reporting: Inside Asian Gaming
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
Sports programming lifts the entire sector — Dumont's ownership delivers content synergy and measurable visitation gain across all concessionaires.
SCCG has watched sports entertainment reshape Macao's tourism mix since last year's NBA games proved out sector-wide lift. This October doubleheader — with Dumont's Mavericks as anchor — shows how ownership alignment and global reach create programming advantages. We track what moves visitation, not just headlines.
- Mavericks-Rockets games October 9 and 11; tickets start MOP$488
- Last year's NBA event lifted all six concessionaires, not just Sands
- Dumont's Mavericks ownership drives franchise selection and programming synergy
SCCG angle: SCCG helps clients understand which entertainment partnerships deliver measurable visitation and how ownership synergies affect event strategy. We connect operators to league relationships, live-entertainment architects, and cross-border promotion networks that turn marquee moments into occupancy and F&B lift — based on real results from 545 partners across regulated markets.