Unites NBA legends, GBA students and teachers, and Macao community
Extending impact of mega event into local community
Promoting youth development and social inclusion
MACAO, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As an important initiative of The NBA China Games 2026, the NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026 wrapped up Sunday, closing out an exciting week of community activities. Organized by Sands China and NBA Cares, the five-day programme fully embodied Sands China's commitment to serving the Macao community, leveraging the impact of a world-class sporting event to unite stakeholders from different backgrounds and regions to extend the event's benefits into the local community.
The Oct. 7-11 initiative received strong support and participation, engaging more than 2,900 individuals, including NBA legends, coaches and players; students from Macao, the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and Hainan province; members of Macao's social service organizations; senior executives from Las Vegas Sands and Sands China; and Sands Cares Ambassadors. Through a wide range of community engagement activities anchored by basketball, the Impact Week empowered local youth, fostered meaningful exchange across regions and cultures, and reinforced the values of inclusion and community cohesion.
Throughout the week, a distinguished lineup of NBA legends, players and coaches, together with prominent figures from the sporting world, visited local schools and community venues across Macao. Among them were NBA legends Ray Allen, Shawn Marion, Yao Ming, Mitch Richmond, Stephon Marbury, Cuttino Mobley and Chris Bosh; renowned Chinese basketball player Ding Yanyuhang, China women's basketball national team player Zhang Ziyu, and China short track speed skating Olympic gold medallist Wang Meng; and Sands Global Ambassador Sir David Beckham. Through close interactions with diverse community groups across Macao, they shared the values of sport and insights from their personal journeys.
Patrick Dumont, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp., and chairman of the board and non-executive director of Sands China Ltd., said: "With the successful conclusion of The NBA China Games 2026, we are delighted to have extended the positive impact of this world-class sporting event into the Macao community, creating valuable opportunities for people of various ages and backgrounds to connect and engage. This year's Impact Week brought together more than 2,900 students, community members and volunteers, who shared in the excitement and care inspired by the event, while enabling NBA players and legends to experience first-hand Macao's diverse and inclusive attributes. The programme demonstrated the power of sport to connect people, foster inclusion and inspire the next generation.
"We extend our sincere gratitude to the Macao SAR Government, NBA Cares, our community partners, and the Sands China team members and Sands Cares Ambassadors for their steadfast support and active involvement, which helped bring this meaningful Impact Week to life. Looking ahead, we will continue to support the Macao SAR Government's policy direction and draw upon Sands China's extensive experience and strengths in attracting and staging world-class events. By further enhancing the synergies generated through the 'Tourism+' initiative, we aspire to contribute fresh impetus to Macao's economic diversification."
On Wednesday, the first day of Impact Week, Youth Day brought together 200 young participants from the GBA and Hainan province, who took part in basketball training, interactive exchange activities and friendly matches under the guidance of NBA legends and coaches. Through sport, the event fostered connections and friendships among young people across the Greater Bay Area.
The second day, Tip-Off Day, attracted approximately 400 participants, including representatives from various organisations and local and international media outlets. Current players from the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets joined local students in a basketball clinic and to assemble goodie bags, enabling participants to enhance their basketball skills while extending the spirit of caring into the community.
On Friday, School Day, an NBA legend and coaches visited Yuet Wah College, Macau, where they engaged with local students for a basketball clinic and a Chinese calligraphy experience. The event offered students a valuable opportunity to learn first-hand from world-class basketball professionals while promoting cultural exchange between East and West. Approximately 600 people participated in the day's activities.
On the fourth day, Health and Wellness Day, NBA legends joined executives from Las Vegas Sands and Sands China, together with social enterprise Happy Kitchen, a subsidiary of the Fuhong Society of Macau supported by Sands China, to prepare and distribute 200 boxed lunches to people in need in Macao. The initiative will provide a total of 1,500 meals to beneficiaries in the community. The day also featured wellness workshops aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles and well-being.
The Impact Week concluded with Sunday's Community Basketball Carnival, held at NBA HOUSE at The Venetian® Macao and attended by a total of 200 participants, including NBA legends and coaches, athletes from Macau Special Olympics, members of local social service organisations and Sands Global Ambassador Sir David Beckham. Through a basketball clinic and family-oriented interactive experiences, the carnival promoted community engagement and social inclusion.
Throughout the week, around 200 Sands Cares Ambassadors actively participated in the various activities, reaching out to schools and communities alongside NBA players, coaches and representatives from different sectors to serve the community. Through their dedicated volunteer efforts, they helped ensure the smooth delivery of the week's charitable initiatives while exemplifying Sands China's commitment to giving back to society and serving the community.
In addition to the Impact Week, the expanded and enhanced NBA HOUSE Macao 2026, free and open to the public, was held over five days at Halls A and B of The Venetian Macao's Cotai Expo, where it was widely enjoyed by residents and visitors alike, attracting more than 70,000 visits. NBA HOUSE served as a basketball-themed festival that combined basketball, music and entertainment, fashion and retail, interactive technology, and specialty dining offerings, extending the excitement of the games beyond the court to a broader audience. In doing so, it expanded the reach of the event, enriching Macao's "Tourism + Sports" offerings, and further reinforcing Macao's position as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.
"NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026" was an initiative of Sands Cares, the global corporate citizenship programme of Sands China's parent company. As an important stakeholder in the Macao community, Sands China has actively fulfilled its corporate social responsibility for more than two decades. Through the programme, the company strives to connect with and serve the community, give back to society, and work alongside different sectors to build a more vibrant and inclusive Macao community.
Sands China Ltd. (Sands China or the Company) is incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability and is listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (HKEx: 1928). Sands China is the largest operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The Company's integrated resorts on the Cotai Strip comprise The Venetian® Macao, The Plaza® Macao, The Parisian® Macao and The Londoner® Macao. The Company also owns and operates Sands® Macao on the Macao peninsula. The Company's portfolio features a diversified mix of leisure and business attractions and transportation operations, including large meeting and convention facilities; a wide range of restaurants; shopping malls; world-class entertainment at The Venetian Arena, The Londoner Arena, The Venetian Theatre, The Parisian Theatre, The Londoner Theatre and Sands Theatre; and a high-speed Cotai Water Jet ferry service between Hong Kong and Macao. The Company's Cotai Strip portfolio has the goal of contributing to Macao's transformation into a world centre of tourism and leisure. Sands China is a subsidiary of global resort developer Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS).
A firm believer in the importance of corporate social responsibility, Sands China Ltd. engages with the local Macao community as a part of Sands Cares – the charitable giving programme of parent company Las Vegas Sands Corp. Sands Cares integrates the company's philanthropic work worldwide in four key areas: financial giving, community problem solving and collaboration, in-kind donations, and team member volunteerism.
Key areas of Sands Cares in Macao include the Sands Cares Ambassador programme for volunteering in the local community; charitable contributions to NGOs and community organisations; and sponsorship of community events.
NBA Social Impact & Inclusion drives change on issues facing fans and communities by advancing needed resources and proven partners. We create data-driven strategies and programming to empower colleagues to bring their best self. NBA Cares works with NBA players and teams to highlight important issues through the NBA's digital, social and broadcast channels, live events and partnerships.
Media contacts: Corporate Communications, Sands China Ltd. Mabel Wu Tel: +853 8118 2268 Email: [email protected]
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