PBA set to mark its 50th anniversary with international games in Dubai and Bahrain

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary in the 2025–26 season, marking a historic milestone for Asia’s oldest basketball league. Authorities are going all out to make it an iconic event.

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed to the media that the league is planning to hold games in Dubai and Bahrain as part of the 50th-anniversary celebration. He shared that the groundwork was laid during his recent visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he watched the Meralco Bolts compete in the 2025 Basketball Champions League Asia.

During his trip, Marcial met with Dubai Basketball Development Manager Ellie Flemings and Coca-Cola Arena Dubai General Manager Mark Jan Kar to discuss the potential hosting of PBA games.

“May mga nabanggit nang teams na posibleng maglaro pero hindi pa muna namin ia-announce kung sino-sino ang mga ito,” Marcial stated.

As of now, PBA games are scheduled for October and December, with one game set for Dubai and a doubleheader planned in Bahrain.

#PBA50 in Dubai⁉️ A golden idea‼️https://t.co/sflqNirjvO

— SPIN.ph (@spinph) June 15, 2025

“’Yung games sa Dubai, malamang itong October na. ’Yung sa Bahrain, baka mag-double-header games. Sa December naman ’yun,” he added.

In addition to Dubai and Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have also expressed interest in hosting future PBA games.

“Meron ding proposal to host PBA games sa Qatar at Saudi Arabia. So tingnan natin,” Marcial concluded.

Notably, the PBA has held exhibition matches in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in the past, while Dubai has hosted several official games, including a two-day series in 2019 that featured the San Miguel Beermen vs. NLEX Road Warriors, and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel vs. NLEX during the Governors’ Cup.

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