NBA Basketball Returns To London In 2015

The New York Knicks will return to London to play a regular season game against the Milwaukee Bucks at The O2 on 15th January, as part of the NBA Global Games 2015.

In an announcement made by the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), the game is one of two regular-season games the NBA will stage internationally as part of the 2014/15 season, with a game also set to take place in Mexico City between the Houston Rockets and the Minnesota Timberwolves in November. 

The regular season games in London and Mexico City build on the previously announced NBA Global Games 2015 preseason schedule with five teams – the Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings, and San Antonio Spurs – playing a series of games in five cities in Brazil, China, Germany, and Turkey in October. 

The NBA Global Games 2014/15 now includes a total of nine NBA teams playing seven regular-season and preseason games in seven cities in six countries. 

Tickets for the game in London will go on sale in October 2014. 

‘While London and Mexico City each have their own unique culture, they both have rich sports traditions and share a great passion for the NBA,’ said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. ‘These regular-season games will bring the excitement and incredible competition of our league to more fans in Europe and Latin America.’

The NBA Commissioner, alongside his predecessor David Stern – who was awarded the inaugural International Impact Award at the BT Sport Industry Awards earlier this month – spoke about global expansion at the first Nolan Partners Sport Industry Breakfast Club of 2014. Check out the highlights here. 

‘We are proud to announce the fifth NBA regular-season game in London featuring the Milwaukee Bucks and the New York Knicks,’ said Benjamin Morel NBA Senior Vice-President & Managing Director, EMEA. ‘Our NBA games in London have had a strong impact not just in the UK, but also across Europe and have proven to be a fantastic platform for our partners to connect with fans throughout the region.’

According to the NBA, the NBA Global Games 2014/15 will also feature a variety of off-the-court activities, including NBA Cares community programs and interactive fan events.