The NBA is set to debut its first ever Shanghai Basketball Festival, a seven‑day showcase that will run from August 24 through August 30 across the city’s sporting venues. The initiative marks the league’s most extensive foray into China’s capital of basketball, blending competitive games with a public‑focused celebration of the sport.
Games to Feature G League United and Shanghai Sharks
Two marquee matchups are slated for Friday, August 28, and Sunday, August 30, at the Shanghai Indoor Stadium. The contests will pit the developmental squad of NBA G League United against the 2025‑26 Chinese Basketball Association champion Shanghai Sharks, offering fans a rare glimpse of future NBA talent facing off against a domestic powerhouse.
The festival also includes a free Fan Carnival that will be open to the public from August 24 to August 30 at Shanghai Xujiahui Sports Park. Attendees can take part in interactive basketball drills, meet players from both teams, watch viewing parties of historic NBA games, and purchase official NBA merchandise.
A Citywide Basketball Celebration
Organizers, including the Shanghai East Asia Sports Culture Center, have positioned the event as a template for future NBA‑China collaborations, emphasizing community outreach alongside high‑level competition. Tickets for the indoor games will go on sale on August 18 through the JUSS Sports app and its WeChat channel, giving supporters early access to what promises to be a vibrant week of basketball in Shanghai.