Dubai to Host Major College Basketball Tournament in 2026

Dubai is set to host a major college basketball tournament, the Royal Palm Invitational, in November 2026, marking a significant step in the globalization of the sport. According to CBS Sports, multiple power-conference teams are expected to participate in this event, which aims to attract international attention to college basketball.

College basketball reporter Jon Rothstein emphasized that this early-season tournament follows the trend of lucrative overseas events, such as the recently expanded Players Era tournament. While the specific organizers of the Royal Palm Invitational have not been disclosed, it is anticipated that the tournament will offer financial incentives for teams, similar to the approach taken by the Players Era, which has gained traction for compensating athletes through name, image, and likeness deals.

Notably, this initiative comes at a time when college basketball is increasingly moving games to neutral sites worldwide, reflecting a shift towards generating revenue through international exposure. Notably, there has not been a regular-season college basketball game in Asia since a 2015 matchup in Shanghai, highlighting the rarity of such events in the region.

The tournament's logistics remain a subject of interest, especially given the complexities of staging a major sports event in the Middle East, a region that has not previously hosted a college basketball tournament of this scale.