Pacers heading to Mexico City for 2026 global showcase vs. Nuggets
Indiana and Denver will square off in Mexico City on Nov. 7, adding another chapter to their history of international matchups.
The Indiana Pacers are going international for the second time in three seasons.
The Pacers will face the Denver Nuggets at Arena CDMX in Mexico City on Saturday, Nov. 7. It’s part of the NBA Global Games and will be the 35th NBA game held in Mexico.
“We’re thrilled to bring Indiana Pacers basketball to Mexico City during such a meaningful and vibrant time of year,” said Mel Raines, CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment.
“This is a great opportunity to celebrate our growing fan base in Mexico and across Latin America, while also recognizing the strong Hispanic and Latin American communities here in Indiana. By connecting our local and global fans, we’re strengthening the shared culture, energy and love of the game that make this event so special.”
This will be the fourth game between these two teams on foreign soil. They previously met for preseason games in Taipei and Beijing (2009), and for a regular-season game in London (2017).
The NBA playoffs get underway this weekend and the full schedule won’t be released until the fall, but one Pacers date is already set.
The game will air nationally on ESPN and will also be streamed on Disney+, giving it significant global reach in more than 200 countries and territories — similar to the NBA All-Star Game.
The Pacers had three nationally televised games during the 2025–26 season, down from the nine originally scheduled before the season.
One downside for Pacers season-ticket holders: they won’t get to see three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets at Gainbridge Fieldhouse next season. This is a designated Pacers home game, a league source told Fieldhouse Files.
It also should result in opportunities for those involved on Pacers game nights — including game operations, stats crew, Boomer, the Pacemates and others.
The Pacers organization has long embraced international opportunities. Just in my 14 seasons covering the team, they’ve played games in:
Manila, Phillipines | 2013 preseason v Rockets
Taipei, Taiwan | 2013 preseason v Rockets
London, UK | 2017 regular season v Nuggets
Mumbai, India | 2019 preseason v Kings
Paris, France | 2025 regular season v Spurs
“We are thrilled to be one of the first two teams to play the first-ever game in India and proud to be part of the expanding NBA worldwide footprint of our game of basketball,” Simon, the longest-tenured owner in the NBA, said in 2019.
They’ve also played preseason games in Berlin (1996), Seville (1996), and Beijing (2009).
These games are typically years in the making. One of the biggest logistical challenges for both teams is completing government paperwork and obtaining work visas — not just for players, but for everyone in the traveling party.
The Simon family went all out in 2025 when the team played in Paris. The team stayed for a week, with events scheduled for spouses and loved ones, along with a special dinner hosted by the organization.
The team also hosted corporate sponsors on the trip.
See Also: My story on the Pacers’ historic journey to India in 2019.
The NBA handles travel for the team and staff members. The flight to Mexico City is less than five hours.
Event organizers are also excited that the game will be played during the week of Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations for the third consecutive year.
“The NBA Mexico City Game continues to give fans in Mexico a front‑row connection to the league, its teams and its players,” said Raul Zarraga, Senior VP and Head of Operations of NBA Latin America and Canada. “
“Hosting our 35th game in the country reflects the depth of the NBA’s relationship with Mexico and the role this event plays in bringing the global game to fans locally, across Latin America and around the world.”
Pre-sale tickets will go on sale May 27. Fans are encouraged to visit this link for more information.