The NBA is aiming for an October 2027 debut of a new 16-team European basketball league, as revealed by league officials. The plan includes 12 permanent franchises in major cities across Europe, with four more qualifying through competitions. Discussions with investors and potential partners are advancing rapidly.
NBA Europe managing director George Aivazoglou shared details of the upcoming league during a conference in Milan, Italy, on Friday. He specified October 2027 as the targeted launch date, though it remains subject to finalization. The league would feature 16 teams, with 12 as permanent members and the remaining four earning spots by winning FIBA's Basketball Champions League or excelling in domestic leagues.
Target cities for permanent franchises include London and Manchester in Great Britain; Paris and Lyon in France; Madrid and Barcelona in Spain; Rome and Milan in Italy; Munich and Berlin in Germany; Athens in Greece; and Istanbul in Turkey. No deals have been announced yet, but existing EuroLeague clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and ASVEL Basket are expected to be considered, along with soccer powerhouses such as Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City potentially entering basketball.
Aivazoglou noted that the first season might start as a "semi-opening," not featuring all 16 teams initially. The NBA has enlisted JPMorgan Chase and Raine Group to identify investors, including sovereign wealth funds, private equity firms, and wealthy families. "We're well underway in our approach and engagement with the market," Aivazoglou said. "We're having serious discussions with respect to investors."
Plans also include a new tournament pitting NBA Europe teams against NBA squads, possibly in a format similar to FIFA's Club World Cup. Commissioner Adam Silver has described the venture as a form of expansion and highlighted strong interest from owners. About one in six current NBA players is European, including stars like Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, and Victor Wembanyama, underscoring the continent's talent pool. The NBA and FIBA are partnering on the initiative, with regular-season games scheduled in Berlin and London in January featuring the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies.