For the second straight year, the Magic received the NBA‘s team international strategy award as part of the league’s team partnership and ticket sales & service awards for the 2025-26 season, it was announced Tuesday afternoon.
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The award “recognizes robust, data-driven programs that support partner positioning and grow the team brand globally or in a specific international region,” according to the league.
After earning the league-wide recognition last year, the Magic executed an extensive strategy in Germany that extended far beyond Orlando‘s regular-season game against the Grizzlies in Berlin. The multi-phase approach included “an in-market summer tour, an immersive fan hub called ‘Magic Kiez,’ youth basketball clinics, business summits, watch parties, and integrated activations with multiple partners across Germany,” the team said.
The 2025-26 NBA team partnership and ticket sales & service awards collectively “celebrate teams who display creativity, innovation and excellence across fan engagement, partnerships, social impact and ticket sales,” the league said.
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All 30 teams were invited to submit for each category of the Team Partnership and Ticket Sales & Service Awards, and the winners were chosen by a finalist committee comprised of team and league executives, according to the league.
“The innovation, creativity and strategic thinking NBA teams demonstrate every day continue to raise the bar for the sports industry while creating deeper connections with fans in their communities and around the world,” NBA executive vice president and head of team marketing and business operations Jonathan Tillman said in a statement. “… Our teams are finding new ways to grow their businesses and deliver exceptional experiences for fans on a global basis.”
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2025-26 NBA Team Partnership and Ticket Sales & Service Award winners:
- International Strategy Award: Orlando Magic
- Partnership of the Year Award and NBA Premium Experience of the Year Award: Cleveland Cavaliers
- Partnership Innovation Award: LA Clippers
- Social Impact & Inclusion Award: Philadelphia 76ers
- New Sales Campaign of the Year Award: Detroit Pistons
- Membership Program of the Year Award: Charlotte Hornets
- AI Studio Honorees: Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans
Jason Beede can be reached at [email protected]