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The NBA returns to Xtadium, Meta Horizon

October 23, 2024

By Nik Roseveare

With the 2024-25 NBA season upon us, Meta Quest will continue to deliver all-access to courtside seats from virtually anywhere. The partnership with the NBA, now in its fourth consecutive year, will feature 52 immersive games in 180-degree VR in Xtadium and NBA Arena in Meta Horizon Worlds.

In addition to 52 live games, users will be able to access immersive highlights 24 hours after each game, play mini-games, and hang out with friends in both Xtadium and NBA Arena in Worlds. For NBA League Pass subscribers, Xtadium also lets them watch every live 2D game nightly in mixed reality, complete with real-time stats.

“From the first tip-off to the final buzzer beater, these fully immersive games let you experience all the action from the best seat in the house,” commented Meta Director of Metaverse Entertainment Content Sarah Malkin. “Spatial sound lets you feel the excitement of the crowd as if you were there IRL. In NBA Arena, hoops fans can hang out and play mini-games, and we’re rolling out new features and improvements for the 2024-25 season. Take a selfie to unlock an NBA-themed emote, trigger visual effects that rain down on the stadium seating, and show off your team pride with new merch. And a bridge between Xtadium and NBA Arena in Worlds lets you choose the vibe that’s right for you.”

“The NBA has a long history of content innovation and is one of the savviest leagues in terms of leveraging technology to reach fans where they are to provide compelling experiences,” said Meta VP of Metaverse Partnerships Scott Hershkowitz. “It’s exciting for me personally to be working with the league on this partnership, having led some of their earlier forays into mobile and connected devices when I was at the NBA over a decade ago.”

“We’re always looking for ways to enhance the viewing experience and deliver innovative opportunities that enable fans to feel the excitement of the on-court action,” added NBA Vice President, New Media Partnerships Teddy Kaplan. “Through our partnership with Meta, we’ve brought fans closer to their favourite players and teams and look forward to another special season beginning next week.”

The current schedule of immersive games:

  • October 25 // Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks // 5:00 pm PT
  • October 26 // Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Chicago Bulls // 5:00 pm PT
  • October 28 // Indiana Pacers vs. Orlando Magic // 4:00 pm PT
  • November 2 // Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets // 5:00 pm PT
  • November 4 // Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons // 4:30 pm PT
  • November 7 // Portland Trail Blazers vs. San Antonio Spurs // 7:00 pm PT
  • November 12 // Phoenix Suns vs. Utah Jazz // 6:00 pm PT
  • November 15 // Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers // 4:00 pm PT
  • November 19 // Denver Nuggets vs. Memphis Grizzlies // 5:00 pm PT
  • November 22 // Boston Celtics vs. Washington Wizards // 4:00 pm PT
  • November 24 // LA Clippers vs. Philadelphia 76ers // 3:00 pm PT
  • November 26 // Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves // 5:00 pm PT
  • November 29 // Orlando Magic vs. Brooklyn Nets // 4:30 pm PT
  • December 1 // Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers // 3:00 pm PT
  • December 3 // Philadelphia 76ers vs. Charlotte Hornets // 4:00 pm PT
  • December 5 // Phoenix Suns vs. New Orleans Pelicans // 5:00 pm PT
  • December 8 // Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Golden State Warriors // 3:30 pm PT
  • December 20 // Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat // 5:00 pm PT
  • December 26 // Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic // 4:00 pm PT
  • December 27 // Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns // 6:00 pm PT
  • December 28 // Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls // 6:00 pm PT
  • December 29 // Indiana Pacers vs. Boston Celtics // 3:00 pm PT
  • January 3, 2025 // San Antonio Spurs vs. Denver Nuggets // 6:00 pm PT
  • January 4, 2025 // New York Knicks vs. Chicago Bulls // 5:00 pm PT
  • January 6, 2025 // Dallas Mavericks vs. Memphis Grizzlies // 5:00 pm PT
  • January 10, 2025 // Golden State Warriors vs. Indiana Pacers // 4:00 pm PT
  • January 18, 2025 // Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves // 6:00 pm PT
  • January 19, 2025 // Philadelphia 76ers vs. Milwaukee Bucks // 4:00 pm PT
  • January 24, 2025 // Portland Trail Blazers vs. Charlotte Hornets // 4:00 pm PT
  • January 27, 2025 // Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat // 4:30 pm PT
  • February 2, 2025 // LA Clippers vs. Toronto Raptors // 12:30 pm PT
  • February 3, 2025 // Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder // 5:00 pm PT
  • February 8, 2025 // Indiana Pacers vs. Los Angeles Lakers // 5:00 pm PT
  • February 10, 2025 // Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Cleveland Cavaliers // 4:00 pm PT
  • February 22, 2025 // Phoenix Suns vs. Chicago Bulls // 4:30 pm PT
  • February 24, 2025 // Denver Nuggets vs. Indiana Pacers // 4:00 pm PT
  • March 3, 2025 // Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder // 5:00 pm PT
  • March 10, 2025 // Dallas Mavericks vs. San Antonio Spurs // 5:30 pm PT
  • March 14, 2025 // LA Clippers vs. Atlanta Hawks // 4:30 pm PT
  • March 16, 2025 // Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers // 3:00 pm PT
  • March 20, 2025 // New York Knicks vs. Charlotte Hornets // 4:00 pm PT
  • March 22, 2025 // Golden State Warriors vs. Atlanta Hawks // 4:00 pm PT
  • March 23, 2025 // Denver Nuggets vs. Houston Rockets // 3:00 pm PT
  • March 24, 2025 // Dallas Mavericks vs. Brooklyn Nets // 4:30 pm PT
  • March 27, 2025 // Los Angeles Lakers vs. Chicago Bulls // 4:00 pm PT
  • March 28, 2025 // New York Knicks vs. Milwaukee Bucks // 5:00 pm PT
  • March 29, 2025 // Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers // 4:30 pm PT
  • March 31, 2025 // LA Clippers vs. Orlando Magic // 4:00 pm PT
  • April 5, 2025 // New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks // 12:00 pm PT
  • April 6, 2025 // Indiana Pacers vs. Denver Nuggets // 5:00 pm PT
  • April 11, 2025 // LA Clippers vs. Sacramento Kings // 7:00 pm PT
  • April 13, 2025 // LA Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers // 12:30 pm PT

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