Alibaba founder Jack Ma was seen sitting courtside at the NBA China Game in Macau alongside Jackie Chan and David Beckham.

This event is part of the 2026 NBA China Game, held at the Venetian Arena in Macau, featuring preseason matchups including the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks. Jackie Chan, 72, not only watched the game but also participated in the NBA House fan event, where he received shooting guidance and made a long-range shot, eliciting cheers from the crowd. David Beckham, the former England football star, also attended, and photos and videos of the three together circulated on social media.

The NBA China Game previously returned to Macau in 2025, featuring a matchup between the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets, with Jack Ma, Jackie Chan, David Beckham, Yao Ming, Shaquille O'Neal, and others in attendance. The 2026 event continues in Macau, with the NBA's official account posting images of Jackie Chan and Beckham together, along with the schedule for the China Game.

Jack Ma is the founder of Alibaba and holds about 10% equity in the New York Liberty, and he has collaborated with NBA China, with Alibaba Cloud serving as its official cloud computing and AI partner. Jackie Chan is known for his action films, while Beckham previously played for Manchester United and Real Madrid. The three sitting together was documented by several English media outlets and Getty Images, showcasing the intersection of sports, entertainment, and business celebrities.

The event attracted a large local and international audience, with the NBA leveraging celebrity appearances to enhance exposure in the Chinese market. Other celebrities, such as Jeremy Lin, were also present. Jackie Chan's shooting clip was shared by the NBA's social media, highlighting his successful first attempt.

This appearance is part of a celebrity-driven brand and market activity. Funding and attention are directed towards sponsorship and broadcasting rights for the NBA China Game, as well as related business partnerships. Beneficiaries include the NBA's brand exposure in China and local partners (including Alibaba Cloud collaborations), while the pressure point is limited, mainly concerning the visibility differences for ordinary spectators regarding premium courtside seats.

Source: Public Information