Funding boost for basketball ahead of NBA return

Basketball facilities in London are set to receive a £1.5m investment in time to mark the return of the NBA to London.

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said the funding would form part of a long-term legacy to improve access to the sport for young people.

The new measures respond to recommendations in the "State of Play" report produced by the mayor's Basketball Taskforce, which was set up last year to examine how the sport can be grown and better supported in London.

The NBA returns to London on 18 January, with the Orlando Magic taking on the Memphis Grizzlies. The game, to be played at the O2 Arena, marks the first NBA (National Basketball Association) game in the capital since 2019.

The mayor's office has also announced a new Facilities Development Fund will be established to refurbish and upgrade community basketball courts across the city, with the aim of improving access and creating safer, more attractive spaces for local play.

City Hall said it was also in discussions with the London Marathon Foundation to maximise the impact of the fund.

From February to April, a new "NBA Court Time" programme will offer £1 indoor basketball sessions at a number of GLL leisure centres. The sessions will be open to young people and adults, including women-only sessions, and are intended to continue beyond spring 2026 as a permanent part of GLL's offer.

The mayor's London Coaches Programme, delivered by Basketball England in collaboration with the National Basketball Association, will also receive a £1m extension.

The scheme supports London-based coaches aged 16 to 30 and is expected to train a further 180 people, provide employment or internships for 90 coaches, and reach more than 50,000 young people.

The mayor and the taskforce have also backed a new Jr. NBA 3v3 schools tournament across London. Last year's pilot involved pupils from 174 secondary schools, with every London borough represented. Several of the schools went on to set up new weekly basketball clubs.

City Hall said the latest investment would directly support the Basketball Taskforce's recommendations.

George Aivazoglou, the NBA's Europe and Middle East managing director, said the league was "proud to work alongside the mayor to create opportunities that will have a lasting impact on young people and communities across the capital".

The NBA said its wider development programme linked to the London game on 18 January was expected to reach more than 5,000 young people aged 12 to 16 through youth clinics, coaching sessions and community initiatives.

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