NBA Advances Plans for European League with 16 Teams by 2027

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is finalizing its plans to establish a 16-team European league, slated to commence in the fall of 2027. This initiative, developed in collaboration with FIBA, basketball's global governing body, will feature 12 permanent franchises complemented by four annually qualifying teams.

Initial reports indicate that bids for these permanent slots have ranged significantly, between $500 million and $1 billion per city, with final agreements anticipated to be formalized in the coming weeks. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed that bids were due at the end of June and several were received within or exceeding the projected range, with announcements expected in the upcoming weeks.

Istanbul Among Key Cities for Franchise Consideration

Major European urban centers are being considered for these new franchises. London, Paris, Madrid, Berlin, and Istanbul are among the cities identified as prime locations for the league's expansion.

Other target cities include Athens, Barcelona, Lyon, Manchester, Milan, Munich, and Rome. The league structure aims to integrate seamlessly with the existing European basketball schedule, accommodating both domestic competitions and national team commitments to avoid conflicts and foster a harmonious ecosystem within the sport.

NBA Seeks Collaborative European Integration

This expansion represents a substantial financial investment into the region. Officials emphasize their commitment to a collaborative approach with established European basketball leadership, including dialogue with EuroLeague officials. The move seeks to leverage the increasing popularity of basketball, evidenced by growing viewership figures and the notable rise of European talent within the NBA's North American leagues.

European players constituted a record 71 individuals on NBA opening-night rosters for the 2025-2026 season. Viewership data for the 2025-2026 season showed a 129% year-over-year increase in NBA viewership in Europe, with the most-watched NBA Finals in Europe since 2016. This surge in interest is attributed in part to the impact of prominent European players such as Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Strategic Investment Drives Growth in European Basketball

The league's strategic push into Europe is underpinned by a broader recognition of basketball's expanding footprint on the continent. This venture is poised to channel significant capital into the European basketball landscape, fostering new opportunities for the sport's development and engagement across Europe.

The NBA has a proven track record of successfully establishing subsidiary leagues, evidenced by the WNBA, the NBA G League, and the Basketball Africa League, which launched in 2021.