NBA China and Alibaba Cloud have announced a multiyear collaboration to transform how fans in China experience and engage with basketball, using artificial intelligence and cloud technologies. Under the agreement, Alibaba Cloud becomes the Official Cloud Computing and AI Partner of NBA China and will develop new applications to enhance live game viewing and fan interaction.
The partnership was revealed ahead of The NBA China Games 2025 presented by Taobao 88VIP, which will see the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns face off in two preseason games at The Venetian Arena in Macao. The games will take place on 10 October at 8 PM CST and 12 October at 7 PM CST.
As part of the collaboration, Alibaba Cloud will showcase its Real-Time 360 Replay Solution at the event. Powered by Alibaba’s AI algorithms, the system tracks player movements and generates high-quality spherical visual presentations of key plays. This technology will allow fans to view highlight moments from multiple angles in real time, offering a more immersive and dynamic experience.
Advanced AI and cloud services to enhance fan experiences
The partnership goes beyond the 360 replay technology. NBA China plans to integrate Alibaba Cloud’s advanced AI and cloud computing services into a range of fan engagement initiatives throughout the season, including events such as NBA All-Star, the Playoffs and the Finals.
A key part of this initiative will be the development of a proprietary AI model for NBA China based on Alibaba’s Qwen series of foundational models. Trained using the league’s digital assets, the model will power the NBA App in China, delivering real-time game highlights, historical data, player insights and interactive discussions on trending basketball topics.
Alibaba Cloud’s solutions aim to personalise the fan experience, offering content and insights tailored to individual preferences and behaviours. This will allow fans to connect more deeply with the sport, whether they are watching live games or engaging with NBA content on digital platforms.
Leaders highlight convergence of sports and technology
The announcement was made by Alibaba Group Chairman and Brooklyn Nets Governor Joe Tsai and NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum. Both leaders highlighted the transformative potential of the collaboration and the growing role of technology in shaping the future of sports entertainment.
“It is an exciting time at the intersection of sports and technology,” said Tsai. “AI and cloud technologies are enablers of connection — between player and fan, brand and consumer, global vision and local culture. By collaborating with NBA China and introducing Alibaba’s latest innovations, we are here to excite NBA fans through the enablement of exceptional experiences that they’ve never seen before.”
Tatum emphasised the NBA’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to connect with its fanbase in China. “Our collaboration with Alibaba Cloud reflects our commitment to using the latest technology to engage the hundreds of millions of NBA fans in China in new and creative ways,” he said. “We look forward to working with Alibaba Cloud to transform how fans across the country watch and experience the game in the years to come.”
Reimagining the future of basketball engagement in China
The partnership marks a significant step in the NBA’s ongoing efforts to deepen its connection with one of its largest global fan bases. China remains a key market for the league, with hundreds of millions of basketball fans consuming NBA content across digital platforms. By combining Alibaba Cloud’s technological expertise with NBA China’s content ecosystem, the collaboration seeks to deliver more engaging, interactive and personalised experiences for fans across the country.
The debut of the Real-Time 360 Replay Solution at The NBA China Games 2025 is expected to be the first of several new innovations born from the partnership. As AI and cloud technologies continue to evolve, both organisations see vast potential to reimagine how sports content is created, delivered and consumed, reshaping the fan experience both inside arenas and beyond.
