The Cleveland Cavaliers will honor two of the NBA’s largest global markets as the team prepares to host a pair of international theme nights that will be tailored specifically for fans watching the games live in Australia and China. On January 25th, the Wine & Gold will host its first-ever Australia Day Celebration powered by UP&GO, and its first Chinese New Year Celebration presented by ZTE on February 8th. In addition to the games being available on NBA League Pass in each country, they will be broadcast on two major networks in each respective country, on ESPN Australia and CCTV in China, as the Cavs salute their fans across the world live from Cleveland.
The two theme nights are a reflection of the team’s worldwide coverage and appeal. With the continued growth of the Cavaliers global audience, the team’s popularity has opened the doors to expand its international reach with opportunities to showcase the Cavs brand and connect with a passionate fan base that is so close, yet so far away.
The Australia Day Celebration introduces a partnership between the Cavs and Australian–based company Sanitarium, which produces the popular Australian breakfast drink UP&GO. Sanitarium also has a personal relationship with Cavs guard Matthew Dellavedova who hails from Maryborough, Australia. Both partnerships speak to the strong NBA fan base in Australia, which is home to the largest number of NBA League Pass subscribers. (There are eight Australian players currently in the NBA, including the Cavs’ Kyrie Irving who was born in Melbourne and has dual citizenship in both Australia and the United States.)
The Cavs Chinese New Year Celebration is part of a league-wide initiative to pay tribute to its largest international fan base. In China, the NBA is the most watched professional sport and basketball is played by over 300 million people across the country. The Cavs specifically have one of the largest subscriber bases in the NBA on the Chinese microblogging platform Weibo with over 1.4 million followers. Through Weibo, Cavs fans in China can stay up-to-date with the latest team news and information in their native language, Mandarin.
Australia Day Celebration powered by UP&GO
Monday, January 25th, Cavs vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Cavaliers will celebrate ties to the Land Down Under when the team hosts its first Australia Day Celebration powered by UP&GO, on Monday, January 25th at 7:00 p.m. vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves at The Q. Australia Day is a national holiday that is celebrated annually on January 26th and marks the anniversary of the first European settlement at Port Jackson, now part of Sydney, in 1788.
The Cavs game will be available live on NBA LEAGUE PASS and broadcast on ESPN in Australia. While the Cavs will play on January 25th in Cleveland, due to a 16-hour time difference, the game will actually be seen in Australia the morning of Australia Day, January 26th, treating Aussie fans to a special holiday presentation that will pay homage to their country. As a nod to the viewing Australian audience, Cavs fans attending the game at The Q are asked to join in the celebration by wearing Australia’s national colors, gold and green.
The special theme night will start with the “UP&GO Cavaliers Breakfast Show,” a 20-minute live streamed pregame show on Cavs.com that will feature exclusive pregame content. The Cavs game presentation will feature:
- Cavs players will wear their gold alternate jerseys in honor of Australia’s national colors.
- Cody Simpson, popular Australian native singer and songwriter, will perform the Australian national anthem.
- Fun Australian-themed in-game videos featuring interviews with Dellavedova, teammates and fans.
- To cheer loud and proud, all fans in attendance will receive an Australia Day Celebration Fanbango noisemaker at their seats, courtesy of UP&GO.
- The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will be present on the arena’s main concourse with several small animals native to Australia that fans can interact with and learn about.
Follow the celebration on social media with hashtag #CavsAustraliaDay.
Chinese New Year Celebration presented by ZTE
Monday, February 8th, Cavs vs. Sacramento Kings
The Cavaliers will host a Chinese New Year Celebration presented by ZTE on Monday, February 8th at the Cavs vs. Sacramento Kings game at 7:00 p.m. at The Q. The Chinese New Year is a traditional celebration of the Lunar New Year and is observed as a time for family and friends to be together. It marks the first month and day of the Chinese lunar calendar which falls on February 8, 2016 this year.
The Cavs game can be viewed live on both NBA LEAGUE PASS and CCTV in China. All fans in attendance will receive a Cavs Chinese New Year t-shirt presented by ZTE. Cavs fans will enjoy special game presentation elements that will reflect the history and culture of a country that is the home to many passionate NBA fans.
- Cavs players will wear first-ever Cavs branded Chinese New Year Celebration themed shooting shirts.
- Courtside signage and LED displays will feature “Happy Chinese New Year” wishes in both Mandarin and English.
- A special halftime performance by The Red Panda Acrobat, who amazes crowds with her balancing act on a unicycle.
- Cavalier Girls and Scream Team performances inspired by the Chinese New Year.
- Exclusive video content featuring interviews from Cavs players and Cavalier Girls who have traveled to China with NBA initiatives and programs
Follow the celebration on social media with hashtag #CavsCNY.