Basketball
What is NBA Europe?
The NBA’s proposed Europe expansion would create a new, top‑tier league on the continent featuring many of its biggest clubs, backed by NBA money and run in partnership with FIBA. If it goes ahead, the competition could launch as early as the 2027–28 season and radically reshape the European basketball landscape.
What is being proposed?
The current plan centres on a 16‑team Europe‑based league that would sit alongside, rather than inside, the NBA. Around 10–12 of those places would be permanent franchises, with the remaining spots allocated each year via qualification through FIBA competitions, blending closed‑league security with promotion‑style opportunity.
The NBA and FIBA envision a competition that effectively becomes the continent’s premier club stage, sitting above national leagues and parallel to (and potentially rivalling) the existing EuroLeague. It would use NBA-style branding, broadcasting and presentation, but with European clubs and fans at its core.
Where would teams be based?
Target markets include many of Europe’s basketball and commercial powerhouses: London and Manchester, Paris and Lyon, Madrid and Barcelona, Rome and Milan, Berlin and Munich, Athens and Istanbul. Established giants such as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Fenerbahce are natural candidates, while talks have also involved football clubs considering launching or upgrading basketball operations.
New franchises are also on the table in strategically important cities, with the NBA keen on modern, NBA‑style arenas that can host both games and entertainment events for global television. The goal is a spread of markets that maximises travel efficiency while still giving the league genuine continental reach.
When could NBA Europe start?
Discussions between the NBA and FIBA accelerated in late 2025, with both sides agreeing to move forward on detailed planning from January 2026. ESPN and other outlets report that a launch in October 2027 is the current working target, aligning with the NBA’s own season and giving time to finalise teams, venues and investment.
Key decisions on structure, commercial partners and club participation are expected over the next 12–18 months, with commissioner Adam Silver indicating that 2026 will be decisive in determining whether the project goes ahead on schedule.
How would the league work?
The proposed model has two main pillars:
- Franchise clubs: 10–12 long‑term members providing financial stability and guaranteeing that major markets remain represented season after season.
- Qualifying spots: 4–6 places earned annually via the Basketball Champions League and a planned new end‑of‑season tournament, preserving a merit‑based pathway for ambitious clubs.
Games would be scheduled midweek to limit clashes with domestic leagues, and the calendar would respect FIBA international windows, allowing players to represent national teams. Broadcasting would lean heavily on global streaming platforms, with the NBA promising significant investment in youth development, coaching and officiating as part of the package.
Why is it controversial?
Supporters argue that a Europe‑wide league backed by the NBA could unlock new investment, raise standards and attract casual fans who currently ignore domestic competitions. Critics, especially around EuroLeague, fear a talent and revenue drain that could weaken existing structures and turn national leagues into feeder systems.
You might be feeling a deja-vu-like sensation and draw comparisons to the proposed Super League in football. The plan to have a mostly closed-off league where relegation is of no concern to certain clubs regardless of performance echoes similar concerns.
There are also concerns about fixture congestion, travel demands and the impact on club identities built over decades in local rivalries. As talks continue, the central question is whether the promised financial uplift and global exposure will be enough to persuade clubs, federations and fans that NBA Europe should become a reality.
