The NBA has confirmed preliminary discussions with Real Madrid and other top European basketball clubs regarding a proposed European basketball league, dubbed ‘NBA Europe’, which could launch in 2027.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver revealed the plans ahead of the league’s first regular-season game in Berlin, Germany, where the Orlando Magic defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 118-111 in front of a sell-out crowd. The two teams will meet again at The O2 Arena in London on Sunday.
The Vision for NBA Europe
Silver described the concept as an annual league featuring 10 to 12 core franchises, blending established European teams with new clubs. Funding would initially come from the member clubs themselves.
“We’re trying to find the best combination of the old and the new; the tradition and the innovation,” Silver said. The idea is to mix historical European basketball clubs with emerging franchises, providing a platform that could grow the sport’s popularity across the continent.
A longer-term plan could see up to 16 teams, including open spots that European clubs could qualify for through performance, creating a competitive environment similar to existing sports leagues.
Talks with Real Madrid and Alba Berlin
The NBA has already held discussions with Real Madrid, widely regarded as one of Europe’s greatest basketball clubs, who play in the EuroLeague. Silver described these talks as “more in the category of fact-finding” but confirmed that conversations are ongoing.
Alba Berlin, whose Uber Arena hosted the recent NBA game in Berlin, is seen as a model club for the league. Silver said: “Alba Berlin is the type of club we would like to see in a potential European league. They have tradition, fan engagement, and an excellent infrastructure.”
Growing NBA Presence in Europe
The NBA is increasing its footprint in Europe, hosting six regular-season games in four cities across the next three seasons. London, Manchester, Berlin, and Paris are set to host NBA games between 2026 and 2028, highlighting the league’s growing popularity outside the United States.
While some EuroLeague stakeholders have expressed concerns over the potential competition and the legality of clubs participating in a new league, Silver believes the two leagues can coexist:
“There’s plenty of room for competition,” he said. “We don’t think NBA Europe and the EuroLeague need to clash. The goal is to expand the game, not disrupt what’s already there.”
The Future of European Basketball
If realized, NBA Europe would mark a historic expansion of professional basketball into a fully-fledged continental league, combining American-style competition with Europe’s rich basketball tradition. Clubs like Real Madrid and Alba Berlin could become pillars of a league designed to attract fans, sponsors, and global media attention, while offering players new opportunities on an international stage.
With talks ongoing, NBA Europe remains in the planning stage, but the recent Berlin and London games underscore the league’s commitment to making Europe a major market for professional basketball by the end of the decade.
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