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The NBA’s next step in its efforts to expand into Europe may involve staging a regular season game in a previously untapped market.
As reported by The Times, the league is nearing an agreement to hold a regular season match in Manchester, set to take place at the Co-op Live arena, which is anticipated to become the largest basketball venue in Europe, accommodating up to 23,500 spectators.
This game could be part of the establishment of a new basketball team in Manchester, which would participate in the upcoming NBA Europe competition starting in the 2026-27 season. ESPN first covered this potential development at the end of January.
The City Football Group, which owns the arena as well as the renowned football club Manchester City, is expected to play a significant role in finalizing this arrangement, with the possibility of establishing another team in Paris, associated with Paris Saint-Germain. Both franchises would have ties to the Abu Dhabi and Qatari ownership groups.
NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum previously mentioned to Eurohoops, “What I can share at this moment is that we’ve had productive meetings in Paris with various stakeholders, and we remain focused on exploring opportunities in Europe, aiming to foster the growth of the sport alongside FIBA.”
The NBA has a history of hosting regular season matches outside of the United States, with the most recent event taking place in Paris, featuring a doubleheader between the San Antonio Spurs and the Indiana Pacers.
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images
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