The 14th NBA Chinese New Year Celebration is off to a sizzling start! Running from January 17 to February 12, the celebration rolls out a thrilling mix of in-person and online interactions to ring in the Year of the Snake with fans worldwide. Hong Kong, a key spot in the festivities, will be hosting NBA legend known as “The Matrix,” Shawn Marion. He’ll be touching down on January 25 at the Launchpad Rooftop Court, the city’s basketball hub, to share a uniquely Hong Kong-style New Year’s bash with local hoops enthusiasts.
Over in Hong Kong, the Hip Hoops Arena is set to transform into an NBA-themed Lunar New Year playground. The event space will be decked out with a variety of games that blend NBA vibes with the festive spirit of the Lunar New Year, including “Springtime Slam Dunk Spectacular,” a wishing tree, customized lunar new year couplets with stickers, and traditional Chinese papercutting. To top it all off, there will be vibrant dragon and lion dances, adding to the festive atmosphere. On the big day, NBA star Shawn Marion will dive into the traditional New Year festivities, joining fans in rousing rounds of NBA-themed games. This is not just about watching from the sidelines—it’s about getting right into the action, narrowing the gap between the basketball icon and his fans. Plenty of perfect photo ops will also be available, ensuring everyone can capture and share their unforgettable moments. This event promises to be a slam dunk for merging sports, culture, and festive fun!
Apart from the events in Hong Kong, the NBA’s Lunar New Year celebrations are going global with loads of highlights, including:
- NBA Lunar New Year Campaign, “Celebrate with No Bounds”: This vibrant promo is set to air in 20 countries, featuring none other than the Minnesota Timberwolves’ dunking sensation Anthony Edwards and New York Knicks’ freshly minted captain Jalen Brunson. Seamlessly blending the festive traditions with hardcore basketball action, this ad is a total feast for the eyes.
- NBA Spring Festival Showdowns: The action tips off on January 23rd with some can’t-miss games, including the Sacramento Kings hosting the Golden State Warriors, and the Cleveland Cavaliers taking on the Houston Rockets on their own turf.
- NBA Cares Initiative: Baller icon Shawn Marion is hitting up Beijing to engage in community activities, like hosting basketball workshops for wheelchair athletes—now that’s what we call spreading the hoop love!
- Global Interaction and Exclusive Merch: Over on NBA’s official social platforms, they’re rolling out heaps of interactive fun where fans can snag Lunar New Year themed goodies, from Year of the Snake plushies to autographed jerseys. Also, the NBA app is introducing the “Lucky Lunar Wishes” feature, where users can unlock special animated blessings by scanning landmarks in Shanghai, Beijing, and Macau. Totally cool, right?
Beyond that, the NBA has pulled out all the stops for the Year of the Snake, launching a line of limited-edition swag both online and at physical stores. The drop includes the Wilson NBA Lunar New Year basketball, an NBA Kids custom greeting card activity, and the ‘Movement Unstoppable’ new year apparel series from NBA ATELIER. It’s a whole treasure trove of new merch for fans to dive into.
At a recent Lunar New Year celebration, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver shared, “The NBA has always been dedicated to bridging different cultures globally through basketball. The Lunar New Year celebration is a prime opportunity for us to share our passion and joy with fans in Asia. Wishing everyone a prosperous Year of the Snake! Happy New Year!”
The NBA’s Lunar New Year celebration is undoubtedly a slam dunk of festive surprises for fans, blending the thrill of basketball with the zest of New Year traditions to spark something truly fresh. No matter where you are, you can catch the vibes and festive buzz that the NBA brings.
