The partnership extension between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Meta is set to revolutionise the way fans experience basketball.

The multi-year extension will bring a new virtual reality experience for fans through Meta Horizon Worlds via Meta Quest, the official VR headset of the NBA and WNBA.

The NBA Arena in Meta Horizon Worlds will feature live NBA League Pass games in virtual reality throughout the season.

Commenting on the partnership, NBA EVP and head of content partnerships, Jennifer Chun, said: “”Our extended partnership with Meta will provide more immersive and innovative ways to experience the NBA.”

“Meta’s digital world opens up exciting possibilities for NBA fans to virtually attend our games and to interact with other fans around the world,” she said.

Meta director of sports media and league partnerships, Rob Shaw, added: ““Meta’s immersive VR technology is opening up new opportunities for sports fans to engage and interact with their favourite NBA teams.”

“The NBA is always pushing us to innovate and leverage the latest technology to open the door to new fan experiences, and this chapter of our partnership achieves exactly that,” he said.

Fans can now visit the NBA Arena in Meta Horizon Worlds to watch NBA content with friends, compete in interactive mini-games, and cheer on their favourite teams.

The partnership extension will also include the launch of NBA-licensed apparel in the Meta Avatars Store and authenticated NBA League Pass access in Xtadium, a VR sports hub app that offers shared watching experiences in high-definition.

Additionally, to showcase Meta Quest technology to NBA fans, Meta will have a presence at major NBA and WNBA events.

The announcement comes after the NBA and French Government started a collaboration to grow the sport throughout France and Africa.