The “NBA Cares x Sands Cares Basketball Charity Week 2026″ concluded in Macau on October 11, 2026, with a final “Community Basketball Carnival” held at NBA House. The event, which coincided with the final day of the NBA China Games 2026, brought together professional athletes, local community members, and organizational representatives to promote social inclusion through sports.
Celebrity participation at NBA House
The closing day of the five-day charity series featured appearances from several high-profile figures in sports. Chris Bosh, a two-time NBA champion and Basketball Hall of Famer, joined Sir David Beckham, a global ambassador for Sands, at the event. They were accompanied by Chinese national women’s basketball team member Zhang Ziyu and former Olympic gold medalist in short-track speed skating, Wang Meng.
Approximately 200 participants, including students from the Macau Special Olympics, families from local social service organizations, and Sands China staff, attended the carnival at the Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo. The event served as the final installment of a week-long initiative that began on October 7, focusing on youth development, healthy living, and community integration.
Basketball clinics and community outreach
The Community Basketball Carnival opened with a training session led by NBA coaches for students from the Macau Special Olympics. The program included skills training, live demonstrations, and coaching designed to help participants improve their technique while encouraging confidence and teamwork. Following the training, the visiting athletes interacted with the students, emphasizing the role of sports in bridging social gaps.
Patrick Dumont, president and chief operating officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp. and chairman of Sands China, noted that the charity week aimed to extend the influence of the NBA China Games beyond the professional competition. “We believe that world-class events not only enhance Macau’s international appeal but also help promote youth development, cultural exchange, and community participation,” Dumont said in a statement.
Support for local families
During the event, Sir David Beckham participated in family-oriented activities alongside members of several local social service organizations, including the Tung Sin Tong Charitable Society, the Macau Federation of Trade Unions, the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau, and the Women’s General Association of Macau. Sands China volunteers, known as “Sands Cares Ambassadors,” guided these families through the interactive exhibits at NBA House.
The initiative also included the distribution of care packages, which were assembled on the first day of the charity week by Bosh, Sands management, and volunteers. These packages were provided to the families and community members involved in the week’s activities as part of the broader “Sands Cares” corporate social responsibility program.
Future community impact
The five-day charity series was part of an ongoing effort by Sands China to leverage major sports tourism events to support Macau’s economic diversification and social development. The company has maintained a corporate social responsibility program in the region for over two decades, focusing on volunteer work, financial donations, and community partnerships.
While the 2026 charity week has concluded, the NBA continues to manage its community impact initiatives through the NBA Cares program, which coordinates with teams and players to address social issues through media, live events, and local partnerships.
