BUDX NBA House 2025 - Star-studded inaugural session featuring NBA legend Gary Payton celebrates iconic collaboration between Budweiser and NBA

NBA House made its debut in India, collaborating with the beverage company Budweiser with a grand celebration of the sport infused with music, hype and culture. The inaugural event was hosted on the 7th and 8th of June, 2025, at the DOME, SVP Stadium in Worli. The press conference preceding the main event saw the NBA legend Gary Payton, NBA Asia head of strategy and NBA India country head Rajah Chaudhry, and Vineet Sharma, vice president, marketing and trade marketing, AB InBev India, come together to reflect on the aims and strategies of the collaboration.

AB InBev India breaks down trends related to alcohol consumption in India, boasts of being the first one to collaborate with the famous NBA

The strategic collaboration between Budweiser and the NBA House is the first of its kind in India. It is not just the sport that was being focused upon during the event, but also a fresh take on the music, right from the lineup meet-and-greets with five-time NBA champion Derek Fisher and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Gary Payton, photo opportunities with the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Prior to the collaboration, BUDX had previously joined hands with pioneers in the world of music like the Lollapalooza, Boiling Room, Mixmag, Supersonic and Echoes of the Earth.

During the press conference, the vice president of AB InBev India, Vineet Sharma, highlighted several facts and figures revolving around the brand while reflecting on the joint initiative between the brand and BUDX. While speaking to afaqs! Sharma stated, “We are very happy to collaborate with the NBA, a very like-minded partner. Budweiser stands for a lot about seizing the opportunity and core values of freedom, ambition, and authenticity.

Not to forget, both are American brands; both stand for the US, the freedom, and the ambition part of it.”

While the collaboration was the highlight of the event, Sharma revealed certain statistics related to drinking in India. There has been a reduction in the percentage of people who consume alcoholic beverages at a young age. Moreover, beer has become a medium of socialising, replacing the age-old convention of meeting over coffee.

The VP also highlighted an increase in female consumers in recent times. Budweiser in India is taking initiatives in unconventional ways, one of which is the collaboration with NBA, bringing the two entities of basketball and beer together. A major highlight of the event was the 3v3 Celebrity Game, which featured stars like Badshah, Disha Patani, Rannvijay Singha, and Varun Sood.The music lineup saw artists like Hanumankind & Friends (feat Parimal Shais and Kalmi), Bombay Mami, Stick No Bills, Baby J B2B Tye Turner, Benga, and Shioriy Bradshaw.Also read: NBA star Draymond Green makes bold claim about Oklahoma City Thunder's Alex Caruso over NBA FinalsBUDX NBA House came as an opportunity for NBA fans in India to live the experience while the world of basketball is transfused with music, fashion, and community. NBA House, before making its debut in India, hosted its previous editions in Brazil, Canada, France, Mexico, the UK and the US.