Former England football captain David Beckham attended the opening game of the 2026 NBA China Games in Macao on Friday, October 9.
The game featured the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets in a preseason matchup at The Venetian Arena. Photos and social-media posts from the event showed Beckham courtside, where he watched the NBA teams meet in the opening game of their two-match series in Macao.
Hong Kong martial arts star Jackie Chan was also reported to be among the famous faces at courtside, bringing together figures from football, film and basketball at the event.
The NBA China Games are part of the league’s international programme. The 2026 edition features two preseason games between Dallas and Houston, with the second matchup scheduled for Sunday, October 11, at The Venetian Arena.
The event also includes activities for fans beyond the games, including NBA House, player appearances and community programmes organised by the NBA and Sands China.
Beckham has an established connection to Macao through his role as a global ambassador for Sands Resorts Macao. The partnership has included work connected to The Londoner Macao and the resort’s hospitality offerings.
The opening game brought the NBA’s preseason action to Macao while drawing attention from fans interested in both basketball and celebrity appearances. The teams are scheduled to meet again on Sunday for the second game of the 2026 NBA China Games.
