Manchester will take its place on the global sporting stage once again as the NBA brings a historic regular-season game to the city in 2027.
The New Orleans Pelicans and the San Antonio Spurs will face off at Co-op Live on Sunday 17 January 2027, marking the first-ever NBA regular-season game to be played in Manchester.
This landmark event reinforces Manchester’s growing reputation as a world-class destination for major international sport, showcasing the city’s ability to attract and deliver global events that captivate audiences and inspire communities.
A Global Destination for Sport
Manchester has long been recognised as one of the world’s leading sporting cities, with a proud history of hosting high-profile events across football, cycling, cricket, rugby and beyond. The addition of an NBA regular-season game further cements the city’s position on the global sports map.
Bringing elite-level basketball to Manchester demonstrates the city’s continued ambition to diversify its sporting offer and connect with new audiences, while strengthening its international profile.
Driving Impact Beyond the Court
Welcoming the NBA to Manchester represents far more than a single fixture. Major events like this play a vital role in strengthening relationships with key partners, stakeholders and global organisations.
By hosting teams such as the Pelicans and Spurs, Manchester has the opportunity to deepen its connections across sport, business and community networks, creating long-term value that extends well beyond the event itself.
The games will also be supported by a range of community programmes, including youth basketball clinics, coaching development and fan engagement activity, bringing the NBA experience directly into local communities.
Growing Basketball in Manchester
The arrival of the NBA provides a powerful platform to accelerate the growth of basketball across Manchester — from grassroots participation through to elite pathways.
Through community outreach initiatives and increased visibility, the event will help:
- Raise awareness of basketball as an accessible and inclusive sport
- Inspire young people to get involved and develop their skills
- Support the development of coaches, officials and local clubs
By connecting global stars of the game with local communities, the event can help build momentum for basketball across the city at both participation and performance levels.
Inspiring Mancunians to Move More
At its heart, this event is about inspiration.
Seeing some of the world’s best players compete live in Manchester offers a unique opportunity to engage residents and encourage people of all ages to be more active. Whether it’s picking up a basketball for the first time, attending a local session, or simply being motivated by the spectacle, the impact extends far beyond the arena.
Events like this align with Manchester’s mission to support healthier, more active lives by creating moments that inspire lasting behaviour change.
Looking Ahead
With global broadcast reach expected to span more than 200 countries and territories, the Manchester game will showcase the city to millions of viewers worldwide.
As anticipation builds ahead of January 2027, the NBA’s arrival represents a significant milestone for Manchester, reinforcing its status as a leading international sports city and creating new opportunities to grow the game, connect communities and inspire people to move more.
