NBA to Return to the UK with Exciting Matches
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is set to make its much-anticipated return to the United Kingdom, marking the first time since 2019 that British fans will witness the action of a regular-season game. The highly regarded league has announced two thrilling matches scheduled for 2026 and 2027, bringing both London and Manchester into the basketball spotlight.
London’s Big Game
On January 18, 2026, the O2 Arena in London will welcome the Orlando Magic and the Memphis Grizzlies for an exhilarating match. This event will be notable as it represents the NBA’s first outing in the UK since the Washington Wizards defeated the New York Knicks in January 2019. London, which regularly hosted games between 2011 and 2019, is once again set to resonate with the sounds of basketball.
Manchester Joins the Action
In a historic first, Manchester will host a regular-season NBA game in 2027 at Co-op Live. While the teams participating in this match have yet to be announced, anticipation is high as the city looks to emulate its prior success, having previously held a pre-season game featuring the Oklahoma City Thunder and Philadelphia 76ers in 2013 at what was then the Manchester Arena.
City Leaders Weigh In
London’s Mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “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.” Meanwhile, Councillor Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, celebrated the news for her city, noting, “Manchester once again has shown what a magnificent draw it is for major events, and we are thrilled to welcome the NBA back to our city.”
European NBA Expansion
The NBA has plans to hold two games during each of the 2026, 2027, and 2028 seasons across Europe. Alongside London’s game, Berlin will feature the Orlando Magic facing off against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 15, 2026. The structure for 2027 includes matches at the Accor Arena in Paris and Manchester’s Co-op Live, while 2028 will see games in both Berlin and Paris.
Table of Upcoming NBA Euro Games
| Year | Date | Match | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 15 January | Orlando Magic vs. Memphis Grizzlies | Uber Arena, Berlin |
| 2026 | 18 January | Memphis Grizzlies vs. Orlando Magic | O2 Arena, London |
| 2027 | TBD | Match TBD | Co-op Live, Manchester |
| 2027 | TBD | Match TBD | Accor Arena, Paris |
| 2028 | TBD | Match TBD | Uber Arena, Berlin |
| 2028 | TBD | Match TBD | Accor Arena, Paris |
British Talent in the NBA
This news comes amid a notable summer for British basketball, highlighted by Nottingham’s Amari Williams being picked by the Boston Celtics during the NBA Draft. His forthcoming debut alongside Britain’s prominent player, OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks, will signal a vibrant period for British talent in the league. Other notable British players include Tosan Evbuomwan with the Brooklyn Nets and Jeremy Sochan, who plays for the San Antonio Spurs, representing Poland internationally.
The momentum builds as basketball continues to grow in popularity within the UK, becoming the second most-played team sport, with estimates of about 1.5 million weekly participants and an impressive following of approximately eight million fans. Notably, the NBA is also considering an establishment of a professional men’s league across Europe in collaboration with FIBA, which could further elevate the sport’s profile.
