The NBA will return to Mexico City with a matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers in a regular-season game Nov. 7 at Arena CDMX — the third straight year the game will be framed by Day of the Dead festivities.
The game during the 2026-27 season will be the league’s 35th in Mexico since 1992 and the 16th regular-season contest.
Occurring within a week of Day of the Dead, the game will have a backdrop including holiday-themed elements such as court design, uniforms and decorations featuring marigolds, bright colors, skeletons and catrinas.
The NBA has played games in France, the United Kingdom, Japan and elsewhere as part of its Global Games series, but Mexico has had more NBA games than anywhere outside of the U.S. and Canada.
“Hosting the 35th game in the country reflects the depth of the NBA’s relationship with Mexico and the role this event plays in bringing the global game closer to fans locally, throughout Latin America and the world,” said Raúl Zárraga, senior vice president of NBA Latin America.
Denver, the NBA champion three years ago, will make its second appearance in Mexico and first in the regular season. The Nuggets previously played a 2006 preseason game in Monterrey against the Golden State Warriors that drew 12,265 fans.
This time, they are expected to be led by 6-foot-11 Serbian superstar Nikola Jokic, a three-time league MVP and nine-time all-star. After finishing in third place in the Western Conference this season, Denver is currently involved in the first round of the NBA playoffs against Minnesota.
The Pacers, meanwhile, missed the 2025-26 playoffs by suffering through two double-digit losing streaks and finishing 19-63, second worst in the NBA. Injuries and roster moves decimated a team that just one season earlier went 50-32 and made the NBA Finals, losing in seven games to Oklahoma City.
The Nuggets-Pacers contest — set to be broadcast on ESPN in Mexico — will mark the Pacers’ first game in Mexico, making them the 23rd franchise to play there.
Last year’s NBA game at Arena CDMX drew a sellout of 20,385 as Detroit beat Dallas 122-110. The 2024 meeting (Miami vs. Washington) drew 20,328 and the 2023 meeting (Orlando vs. Atlanta) drew 19,986.
Arena CDMX is also the home of the Mexico City Capitanes of the NBA G League. The minor-league squad averages about 6,500 fans per game, including several crowds over 8,000 this season and an 11,236 figure for a playoff game earlier this month.
For the Nov. 7 NBA game, fans can register for tickets at NBAMexicoCityGame.mx. The league has not announced a tipoff time, but Mexico City games have typically started around 8 or 8:30 p.m. local time.
With reports from El Economista, ESPN México, Reuters and NBA.com
