NBA to Host Games in London and Manchester in 2026 and 2027

NBA returns to the UK with games in London and Manchester

The NBA is set to return to the United Kingdom for the first time since 2019, with London and Manchester chosen as host cities for regular-season games in 2026 and 2027 respectively.

London’s O2 Arena will host a marquee matchup between the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday, 18 January 2026, marking the league’s first UK appearance in seven years.

Meanwhile, Manchester’s Co-op Live will make its debut as an NBA venue in 2027, although the participating teams will be announced closer to the season.

The NBA had previously played annually in London from 2011 to 2019, with the last fixture being the Washington Wizards’ win over the New York Knicks in January 2019.

“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,” said London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

“This is great news for the city-region,” added Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, highlighting the opportunity for fans to see elite talent live.

NBA’s European Expansion Plan

OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks made 92 appearances during the 2024-25 season, the third most in the Knicks’ squad

The London and Manchester games are part of a broader initiative that will see the NBA host two games in Europe each season from 2026 through 2028:

• 2026:

  • 15 January: Orlando Magic vs Memphis Grizzlies – Uber Arena, Berlin

  • 18 January: Memphis Grizzlies vs Orlando Magic – O2 Arena, London

• 2027:

  • One game in Accor Arena, Paris

  • One game in Co-op Live, Manchester

• 2028:

  • One game in Uber Arena, Berlin

  • One game in Accor Arena, Paris

UK’s NBA Connection Growing

The announcement comes as interest in basketball continues to grow in the UK. Prime Minister Keir Starmer reportedly met with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver this week, discussing the league’s plans and the broader development of the sport in the UK.

Four British players are currently active in the NBA:

• OG Anunoby (New York Knicks)

• Tosan Evbuomwan (Brooklyn Nets)

• Jeremy Sochan (San Antonio Spurs – represents Poland internationally)

• Amari Williams, drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2024

Additionally, CJ Fulton impressed in the NBA Summer League with the Minnesota Timberwolves, further strengthening the UK’s representation on the global stage.

A Growing Fan Base

Basketball is now the second-most participated team sport in the UK with over 1.5 million weekly participants, and is reportedly the most-followed sports league among Gen Z in the country.

The NBA’s ongoing talks with FIBA to create a professional European men’s league with permanent franchises in cities like London, Manchester, Berlin, and Paris signals a major step in the league’s global expansion strategy.