The NBA will return to Mexico City, with the Dallas Mavericks and Detroit Pistons scheduled to play a regular-season game at Arena CDMX on Nov. 1, the league announced Tuesday. This matchup will mark the NBA’s 34th game in Mexico since 1992, more than any other country outside the United States and Canada.
The game will coincide with Mexico’s traditional Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations for the second consecutive year. The festivities will be reflected in a specially themed basketball court and a variety of in-arena fan engagement initiatives.
“We take significant pride in the fact that the Mavericks organization and our supporters reflect the increased globalization of basketball and the NBA,” Mavericks CEO Rick Welts said. “The vibrancy of Mexico City and the passion of its fans make it the perfect place to host these Global Games.”
Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon echoed the excitement.
“Playing a regular-season game in Mexico City will be a great experience for our players and coaches. And we look forward to showcasing Detroit basketball to an international audience and a passionate, growing NBA fanbase.”
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The Mavericks, who will be making their eighth appearance in Mexico, currently feature 10-time NBA All-Star Anthony Davis, nine-time All-Star Kyrie Irving and four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson. Dallas also holds the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and is widely expected to select Duke standout Cooper Flagg.
The Pistons, making their third appearance in Mexico, are coming off one of the largest year-over-year turnarounds in league history. Detroit reached the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2016 and is led by All-Star Cade Cunningham and a young core that includes Jalen Duren, Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson and Isaiah Stewart.
The full NBA schedule for the 2025-26 season is expected to be released in late summer, but the league traditionally announces select international games in advance.
The Mexico City game will be broadcast live across Latin America and in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.
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