The NBA is moving closer to establishing an official Europe-based league, targeting an October 2027 debut that would mark the organization’s most significant international expansion in decades. The league is working with FIBA, national federations and local ownership groups as it prepares to announce the first markets and teams involved, according to multiple reports.

The new competition is expected to include 16 franchises, with potential host cities in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Greece, Turkey and Spain. Front Office Sports reported that these league goals were reported at a conference organized by Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport. NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum has described the project as an extension of the league’s long-term strategy to grow the sport globally, following an area defined by rising international participation and overseas fan engagement. 

More than 130 international players were on NBA rosters to start the 2025-2026 season, reflecting a shift in where elite basketball talent is developed. The creation of a Europe-based league would formalize a structure that allows the NBA to tap into established basketball markets while creating new commercial and player-development pathways.

The move holds particular resonance for Black fans and athletes. European basketball has long been a launching point for Black American players seeking professional opportunities overseas and several prominent NBA stars – including Joel Embiid, Pascal Siakam and Giannis Antetokounmpo – have roots in African communities shaped by European basketball structures. A new NBA-run league could strengthen pathways for young players of color who often navigate complex systems in pursuit of elite competition.

Still, significant questions remain. According to the Sports Business Journal, EuroLeague executives and several major clubs have expressed reservations about how an NBA-affiliated league would fit alongside existing competitions. Concerns include scheduling conflicts, financial demands and the impact on domestic leagues that are central to local sports culture.

The NBA is exploring multiple models, including a system of long-term “anchor” teams paired with additional clubs that could earn entry based on performance. Franchise valuations are expected to be substantial, and the league has reportedly met with investment firms and sports ownership groups to gauge financial commitment. 

In short, what started as occasional NBA games in London or Paris has grown into a blueprint for a pan-European league under the NBA banner. If the 2027 target holds, the landscape of professional basketball will expand significantly – and for players, coaches and fans of color, the global stage just got a little larger.