After a rather lengthy timeout since 2019, the NBA is finally making a triumphant return to English shores. Get ready for some serious hoop action, as London is set to host a regular-season game in 2026, with Manchester hot on its heels in 2027.
This comes off the back of the continued growth of American sports here in the UK, after NFL games have been regularly hosted at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium. It only makes sense for Basketball to get a piece of the pie, and if we're being honest, few sports anywhere are as exciting.
Below, we'll dive into everything we know so far, from where the big occasion will be hosted, when it will take place, who's playing and more.
Who's playing?
The National Basketball Association has confirmed that the Memphis Grizzlies and the Orlando Magic will be bringing their talents to London, as well as playing a game in Berlin. The league has also announced future European escapades, with regular-season games planned for Manchester's Co-op Live and Paris in 2027, followed by Berlin and Paris again in 2028. It seems the NBA has caught the travel bug.
Both teams expressed excitement, particularly Orlando’s German natives, Franz and Moritz Wagner and Tristan da Silva, who look forward to representing their home country. Looking to the match, fans can expect explosive play from Ja Morant’s transition wizardry and Desmond Bane’s clutch shooting for the Grizzlies, to Banchero’s scoring prowess for the Magic.
The game is still a ways off, so it's hard to predict who will be playing thanks to potential fitness issues and form, but some of the above names will be worth looking out for.
When and where is the game?
The game is set to take place in London, but London's a big place, so to be more specific, the O2 will be playing host on Sunday, the 18th January 2026. A delightful wintery treat to battle those January post-Christmas blues.
For those keeping score, the NBA London Game 2026, presented by Tissot (because it’s not a sporting event without a luxury watch sponsor), will be the 19th time an NBA team has graced the UK since 1993, and the league's tenth regular-season game in London. Manchester will finally host its first regular-season game in 2027, after previously getting a taste of pre-season action back in 2013.
Beyond the on-court theatrics, the NBA, Grizzlies, and Magic will be spreading goodwill with NBA Cares community outreach initiatives, youth basketball clinics (Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA and Her Time to Play – because everyone deserves a chance to dribble), and even coaching and referee-ing development programs. It's not just about the game; it's about growing the love for basketball, one aspiring slam-dunker at a time.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, practically did a victory lap, declaring, "London is now the undisputed sporting capital of the world, and the NBA coming to The O2 in January 2026 will further cement our global status."
Tickets
Ticket information for the 2026 games is still under wraps, but you can register your interest on the website. If you're feeling fancy, special ticket packages offering VIP experiences will be available soon as well. There should be more information available soon regarding tickets, with it not being too long now until the game.
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