Inside NBA Europe: League Launch Timeline Revealed

The NBA’s New Venture in Europe

The NBA has long been focused on expansion, both domestically and internationally. While domestic expansion remains a priority, the league is now turning its attention to a new venture in Europe. This initiative marks a significant step for the NBA as it aims to bring a new professional basketball league to the continent.

Over the years, the game of basketball has grown exponentially worldwide, with many of the NBA’s top talents hailing from Europe. International basketball has become increasingly popular, especially in Europe, where stars like Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo have made their mark.

In a joint effort with FIBA, the NBA has announced plans to explore the creation of a new professional, pan-European men’s basketball league. This initiative will involve engaging with prospective teams and ownership groups starting in January 2026.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum are actively involved in these plans. Recent games featuring the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic in Berlin and London highlight the league’s commitment to this new venture.

Leah MacNab, the NBA’s SVP and Head of International Strategy & Operations, emphasized the potential of this new league. She noted that there are 270 million fans in Europe, making basketball the second-most-popular sport. The interest in the recent games in Berlin and London was evident, with 450,000 fans registering their interest.

The goal is to build upon the rich tradition of basketball in Europe while amplifying it on a global stage. Although many details are still being finalized, the NBA Europe expansion is expected to launch with 16 teams. Of these, 10 to 12 will be permanent teams in Europe, with four open spots allowing teams from FIBA-affiliated domestic leagues to qualify each year.

This approach aims to create a new level of competition that Europe has never seen before. Currently, only 10% of European clubs have a chance to play in the top-tier league. The NBA and FIBA want to establish a merit-based pathway for qualification based on on-court performance. Additionally, they aim to expand to new cities in Europe, such as Berlin, London, Paris, and Rome.

Aligning schedules to avoid overlap with domestic leagues and national teams is also a key consideration. This ensures players can represent both their club and country, benefiting fans and the overall ecosystem.

Why Now for NBA Europe?

Since taking over as commissioner in 2014, Adam Silver has emphasized expanding the NBA’s business and global presence. Over the past decade, the NBA has seen significant growth in revenue and interest, with Europe playing a crucial role in its maturation.

MacNab highlighted several factors that make now the right time for the European league: the momentum and growth of fandom in Europe, the incredible talent level, and the notable investment interest. These elements must align for the league to succeed.

The formation of a European NBA league creates a new pathway to the NBA and allows European fans to engage more deeply with the brand. MacNab noted that NBA interest in Europe has skyrocketed over the last decade, with global games and social media engagement playing a significant role.

The opportunity has attracted attention from not just NBA fans but also established basketball clubs and major investors. Discussions about which cities and teams will join the league are ongoing.

Potential Teams and Cities

The formation of an entire new league raises questions about which cities will receive franchises. Europe already has high-level leagues like the EuroLeague, where many NBA talents originate. However, the new NBA Europe league aims to keep these talents under the NBA banner.

MacNab explained that the clubs will come from three different groups: existing European clubs, new cities forming entirely new clubs, and European football clubs interested in creating a basketball team.

The NBA is currently engaging with prospective teams and ownership groups, with formal bids expected in Spring 2026. Major countries like England, France, Italy, and Germany are targeted, with cities like London, Berlin, Paris, and Madrid as ideal candidates.

Next Steps for the New European League

The NBA has experience in launching new leagues, such as the NBA Africa League (BAL) in 2019. Using successful practices from that initiative, the NBA aims to ensure the success of NBA Europe on a larger scale.

Notable NBA figures, including Hall of Famers and current players, have expressed support for the European league. A group of former players and coaches is advising the NBA on the formation of the new league.

MacNab mentioned that while the NBA has not yet hired leaders for the new franchises, they have a strong advisory group. The working team includes people from Europe and the headquarters, reflecting an international effort.

Other next steps include finalizing agreements with investors and providing the Board of Governors with information on the financial and managerial aspects of the deal. Discussions with current NBA owners will be essential to getting the league started.

The Broader Vision

Creating a new league in Europe is not solely about brand exposure or building a global basketball empire. It is also about giving fans around the world what they want. MacNab emphasized the learning opportunities and the collaborative efforts with colleagues from Europe and beyond.

The NBA’s focus is on serving the fans, creating a better product, and celebrating basketball on a global stage. As the NBA continues its efforts in Europe, talks with potential investors and existing top-tier European basketball clubs will remain a priority.

With the NBA and its leadership in Europe for the two games in Berlin and Paris, the path forward for the new league remains clear.