BUDX NBA HOUSE BEGINS SECOND EDITION IN NEW DELHI, FEATURING NBA LEGENDS, INTERNATIONAL AND INDIAN MUSIC ARTISTS, AND A STAR-POWERED CELEBRITY GAME

[L-R] – Rajah Chaudhry, Head of Strategy, APAC, NBA; four-time NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins; two-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer, Isiah Thomas and Vineet Sharma, Vice President – Marketing & Trade Marketing, AB InBev.

NEW DELHI: The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Budweiser  welcomed NBA Legends Isiah Thomas and DeMarcus Cousins, ahead of the second edition of BUDX NBA House. Set to take place this weekend, May 9–10, at Bharat Mandapam Hall 6, New Delhi, BUDX NBA House is a high-energy, immersive fan experience celebrating the intersection of basketball, music, style, and culture. The duo, two-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer, Isaiah Thomas, and four-time NBA All-Star, DeMarcus Cousins, also unveiled the full programming line-up while interacting with fans of the game.

Speaking at the press conference, Rajah Chaudhry, Head of Strategy, APAC, NBA said, “The vision behind BUDX NBA House has always been to bring the energy of the NBA experience closer to fans in India. Events like these allow us to bring together the excitement of basketball with music, fashion, sneaker culture and community in a way that feels authentic and locally relevant. Following a successful first edition in Mumbai, we’re excited to bring BUDX NBA House to New Delhi this year alongside our partners at Budweiser, with NBA legends, celebrity game, artist performances, fan experiences and interactive programming that celebrate the many ways fans connect with the game.”

The weekend will see basketball-themed activities, a slate of music performances by names like NAV, Oppidan, Yashraj, Reble, Fijiana, The Bausa, and Chor Bazaar. The 3-on-3 celebrity game will feature Shanaya Kapoor, Rannvijay Singha, Arvind Krishna, Varun Sood, Sonia Rathee, Simran Kaur, Harman Singha, Shireen Limaye, Lalrina Renthlei, Dhruv Barman, and Anant Ahuja. Adding to this will be photo opportunities with the Larry O’Brien Trophy, as well as performances by Sacramento Kings mascot Slamson, the Kings Dancers and the Kings’ dunk team.

BUDX NBA House 2026 will see BUDX Masterclasses – expert-led workshops and panel discussions curated by Budweiser to educate and engage emerging artists, DJs and fans –, streetwear showcases, an array of food and beverage experiences, and more.

Two-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer, Isiah Thomas said, “Sports has always been a catalyst for bringing societies and communities together, and basketball has a unique ability to connect people across cultures, backgrounds, and generations. What makes this game so powerful is that it goes far beyond the court, it teaches teamwork, discipline, relationships, and gives young people the opportunity to experience the world in a completely different way. One of my coaches once told me that basketball would allow me to travel the world and meet people from all walks of life, and that’s exactly what this game has done for me. That’s the beauty of bringing basketball to India; it’s about connection, community, and opening doors for young people through sport.”

“India is a beautiful country with some of the warmest and most welcoming people I’ve experienced, and you can truly feel the passion and appreciation for the game here. What excites me most is the sheer potential this market holds, not just for growing basketball globally, but for building something meaningful within the community”, said four-time NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins. “Being around the players here, I was impressed immediately by the natural size, athleticism, and raw talent. Skill development will come with time, but the foundation is already there. I genuinely believe basketball in India can become something very special, and I’m grateful to be a part of this journey and hopefully continue being a part of its future.”

BUDX NBA House is part of the NBA’s broader efforts to engage with fans in India through authentic, on-ground experiences that celebrate the game and its surrounding culture. Through collaborations with partners like Budweiser, the NBA continues to expand its presence in the country, connecting with a new generation of fans through basketball, music, fashion and entertainment.

Fans can expect a dynamic lineup of live music performances, interactive fan zones, exclusive merchandise, and unique experiences that bring the energy of the NBA Finals to life in New Delhi. Tickets for BUDX NBA House are available on District by Zomato HERE.

Last year, BUDX NBA House in Mumbai welcomed more than six thousand fans over two days. The league has also held NBA House events in coordination with local partners and promoters in Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Mexico, the U.S. and the UK, and this year will host the first NBA House in Japan (April 24-26) and Australia (May 14-17).

The 2026 NBA Playoffs are airing live in India on Prime Video, the NBA YouTube channel and NBA League Pass, the league’s premium live game subscription service available via the NBA App. Fans in India can follow the NBA on Facebook (Facebook.com/NBAIndia), Instagram (@NBAIndia and, for everything style related, @NBAStyle_in) and X (@NBAIndia), and download the NBA App for the latest news, updates, scores, stats, schedules, videos and more.

About the NBA

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball.  Built around five professional sports leagues:  the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents.  NBA rosters at the start of the 2025-26 season featured a record 135 international players from a record-tying 43 countries.  The NBA’s digital assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass.  The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.5 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms.  The NBA’s Tap to Watch provides seamless access to local, national and global live game telecasts via the NBA App, NBA.com, third-party digital platforms and NBA partner platforms. NBA Cares, the NBA’s global social impact platform celebrating its 20th year, drives change on issues facing fans and communities in the areas of health and wellness, civic engagement, social justice and inclusion, and sustainability.

NBA legends’ special meet-and-greet session with Kolkata Knight Riders players

The Kolkata Knight Riders players and members of the support staff were part of a special meet-and-greet session with NBA legends Isiah Thomas and DeMarcus Cousins in New Delhi ahead of their match against the Delhi capitals. The interaction brought together leading names from cricket and basketball, reflecting the growing crossover between global sporting communities and creating a unique engagement opportunity for athletes across disciplines.