By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The NBA began heading to Europe for exhibition games in the late 1970s to early 1980s under then-commissioner Larry O’Brien, after whom the league’s championship is named. However, it was under David Stern that the NBA really started to stretch its wings into other parts of the World.
Under Stern, the NBA went full-fledged in integrating Europe as the league expanded exhibitions throughout the continent from 1984-1988. Stern got the ball rolling by sending the New Jersey Nets, Phoenix Suns, and Seattle Supersonics to Italy, Switzerland, and West Germany for exhibition games.
It wasn’t until after the US won gold at the 1992 Olympics in Spain that Stern decided to play official NBA games in Europe. In 1993, the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic played the first European preseason game in London, England. London was also selected to host the continent’s first regular-season game, between the Toronto Raptors and the Nets on March 11, 2011.
NBA Europe Is Born
NBA Europe is a collaborative arrangement between the NBA and FIBA, the world basketball governing body, set to launch in late 2025. While NBA Europe is still over a year away from seeing any of its teams hitting the hardwood, the league is going full steam ahead. The league still has a lot to figure out, though some things are known.
After initial hope that NBA Europe and the EuroLeague would work together, it appears the leagues will remain separate entities. However, some are still holding out hope there will be a merger.
“I would love for them to not make an individual league, but to somehow partner with the league that’s already there,” Mike James, the EuroLeague’s all-time leading scorer, told The Athletic. “Because I feel like they have some good things about it.”
“I think, for sure, that the NBA would make a better business model and make a lot of things better if they came over and joined with the EuroLeague,” James continued. “I think the EuroLeague has a very good product now, but obviously it needs improvements like everything.
What Is Known About The New League
NBA Europe is expected to be a 16-team league with 12 permanent franchises. The new venture is going through the vetting process of club ownership. According to reports, 20 groups have submitted bids to the league to become owners of the 12 franchises, with some exceeding the $1 billion mark.
London, Manchester, Paris, Lyon, Berlin, Munich, Rome, Milan, Barcelona, Madrid, Athens and Istanbul are the cities that have been awarded permanent franchises. A few of these cities already host Euroleague teams, while others may relocate there. Several Euroleague franchise have pledged their continued commitment to the Euroleague, though that hasn’t stopped the NBA from trying to poach them.
The four non-permanent franchises will earn a yearly spot in the league through a promotion system. These four teams could earn a temporary NBA Europe membership by winning a tournament of domestic league champions or the FIBA Basketball Champions League.
The league will tip off in October 2027. Games are expected to take place midweek to avoid clashes with teams’ domestic competition and would take time off during the FIBA open windows. The schedule would feature a round-robin format, with each team facing the others a certain number of times.
Once NBA Europe does officially round into shape, there are several German betting sites where you can get in on the action, especially when Berlin and Munich take to the court.
Looking At The NBA Europe Host Cities
London, England
London is currently the host city of the London Lions, which competes domestically in the Super League and in the EuroCup. The city also staged its 10th NBA game this past January when Memphis took on Orlando.
Manchester England
Manchester is located in Northern England. The city is home to the Manchester Giants, who participate in the British Basketball League. The city hosted a preseason game in 2013 and will host an NBA regular season contest in January 2027.
Paris, France
Paris is one of the top basketball cities in Europe and is home to one of the country’s top clubs, Paris Basketball, despite the club’s founding in 2018. The city will host the Pelicans versus the Spurs on January 14, 2027, and another NBA game in 2028.
Lyon, France
Lyon is an excellent basketball city in France, home to one of the most successful clubs in the country’s history, ASVEL, in the EuroLeague. Though arguably the best basketball player on the planet, Victor Wembanyama, didn’t play there and wasn’t born there, his fame in Lyon puts him rivalling football’s Kylian Mbappe.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin is one of the most stable basketball cities in Europe. Berlin has two professional basketball franchises in the EuroLeague’s Alba Berlin and RSV Eintracht, which competes in the ProB League.
Rome, Italy
Rome is one of the fastest rising basketball cities in Europe. Rome has two SerieA and EuroCup clubs in Maxima Roma and Basketball Club Roma SPQR, which is backed by Luka Doncic and former NBA executive Donnie Nelson.
Milan, Italy
Milan hosts one of the EuroLeague’s giants, Olimpia Milano, which has existed since 1936, and the SerieA2 club Urania Milano.
Barcelona, Spain
Barca is one of the EuroLeague’s top franchises. Barca has participated in Europe’s top league in 27 straight years. FC Barcelona has existed for 99 years and has won two EuroLeague titles.
Madrid, Spain
Madrid is the capital of European basketball and, of course, home of Real Madrid, one of the most dominant clubs in European history. Real has existed for 95 years and has won 11 EuroLeague crowns.
Athens, Greece
Athens is also one of Europe’s top basketball cities, with five professional teams, led by Olympiacos, which won its fourth EuroLeague title in 2026. Panathinaikos is also an Athens club, as is AEK Athens. In addition to those three clubs, two Athens suburbs have teams in the Greek top league.
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul is a huge basketball city and hosts a pair of perennial EuroLeague powers, Fenerbahçe and Anadolu Efes. Overall, Istanbul is home to six quality professional basketball clubs.
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