The NBA wants to start a league in Europe
NBA Brings Regular-Season Games Back to Europe
The National Basketball Association will send the Memphis Grizzlies and the Orlando Magic to Europe for a pair of regular-season games in January, continuing the league’s long-standing effort to grow its global footprint. The teams will meet on January 15 in Berlin, Germany, followed by a second game on January 18 in London, England. While international games are not new for the NBA, the locations and timing have drawn attention for reasons that go beyond the games themselves.
The league has played preseason and regular-season contests across Europe for decades, using them to strengthen fan engagement and commercial ties. This trip, however, arrives as the NBA quietly prepares for a much more ambitious project that could reshape professional basketball on the continent.
Eyes on a New NBA-FIBA European League
Behind the scenes, the NBA and FIBA are continuing discussions about launching a new European league as early as 2027. FIBA, the governing body of international basketball, has been working with the NBA on a model that would blend American-style commercial growth with European basketball traditions. The proposed league would feature 16 teams, with the NBA reportedly targeting 12 major cities as potential homes.
Those cities include London and Manchester in England, Paris and Lyon in France, Barcelona and Madrid in Spain, Milan and Rome in Italy, Berlin and Munich in Germany, as well as Athens, Greece and Istanbul, Turkey. The choice of Berlin and London for the Grizzlies–Magic games appears deliberate, as both cities are high on the NBA’s list of priority markets.
The EuroLeague Factor
Any new NBA-backed European competition would face immediate challenges from the existing EuroLeague. Founded in 1958, the EuroLeague has evolved into the continent’s premier club competition and currently features 18 teams. It has deep roots, loyal fan bases, and strong cultural ties in many European basketball hotbeds.
The NBA has stated it wants to respect European basketball traditions, but it is also focused on maximizing commercial potential. That reality sets up a possible conflict. The NBA could attempt to coexist with the EuroLeague, but it could also seek to recruit top EuroLeague clubs into its new venture, potentially weakening the established competition in the process.
Political and Economic Headwinds
There is also an unexpected complication. Ongoing trade tensions and American tariffs have strained relations between the United States and the European Union. The EU’s response to those policies has not been favorable, and public sentiment could play a role in how a new American-backed league is received.
While traditional basketball strongholds like Madrid, Barcelona, and Athens already have entrenched teams, Europe still offers numerous untapped or underdeveloped markets. The NBA may view those cities as opportunities, even if resistance emerges in more established regions.
A Business Decision at Its Core
Ultimately, the NBA’s interest in Europe is driven by growth. If expanding into the European market means challenging or even displacing the EuroLeague, the league may be willing to accept that outcome. The Grizzlies and Magic games may be exhibitions on the surface, but they could also be a preview of a much larger shift in the global basketball landscape.
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