Nikola Jokic set for Mexico debut: NBA confirms Mexico City Game 2026 date and matchup

The NBA is set to make history in Mexico once again. The league’s 15th official game in the country may also be its most high-profile yet, marking more than 25 years of regular visits south of the border.

Nikola Jokic, a three-time NBA MVP and widely regarded as one of the most complete players of his era, will lead the Denver Nuggets against the Indiana Pacers at Arena CDMX on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. The matchup is part of the 2026-27 NBA regular season and brings one of the league’s biggest global stars to Mexico City in his prime.

A milestone moment for NBA Mexico games

This will be the 15th NBA game held in Mexico since 1997 and the fifth consecutive edition since the league resumed international games in 2022 following a three-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It will also mark the first time the Nuggets and Pacers have played a regular-season game in Mexico, adding fresh variety to a rotation that has often featured teams such as the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, and Phoenix Suns.

Star power on display in Mexico City

Beyond Jokic, fans will see a lineup of internationally recognized talent, including Canada’s Jamal Murray, Cameroon’s Pascal Siakam, and Aaron Gordon, long considered a cult favorite since his Orlando Magic days.

Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton, an Olympic gold medalist at the Paris 2024 Games, also highlights the star power on display in what is expected to be one of the NBA’s premier international showcases.

Since 2024, the NBA has aligned its Mexico City game with Day of the Dead celebrations, incorporating themed branding and visual identity tied to the Nov. 2 holiday.

What league and team officials are saying

Raúl Zárraga, senior vice president and head of NBA Latin America operations, said following the announcement: “The NBA Mexico City Game continues to provide fans in Mexico with a front-row connection to the league, its teams and its players.”

Kevin Demoff, president of team and media operations at Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, the Nuggets’ ownership group, added: “We are thrilled that the Nuggets have been selected to participate in the Mexico City Game next season. As a team led by two electrifying stars born outside the United States, it is an honor to showcase Nuggets basketball to NBA fans around the world.”

How the Nuggets and Pacers arrive in 2026

The Nuggets, NBA champions in 2023, finished the 2025-26 regular season third in the Western Conference with a 54-28 record. Despite a late-season coaching change that saw Michael Malone depart, the team has remained competitive under David Adelman, with Jokic continuing to anchor the roster.

The Pacers endured a difficult season at 16-63, largely due to Haliburton suffering an Achilles tendon rupture just months after leading Indiana on a deep playoff run against the Oklahoma City Thunder. That series culminated in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, where Haliburton’s injury proved decisive in Oklahoma City securing the title behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and company.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that of this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.